Part I

Decisions and Appeals
Chapter II

Social Security Decisions and Appeals

Decisions

Decisions by Secretary of State
8
1
Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, it shall be for the Secretary of State—
a
to decide any claim for a relevant benefit;
b
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and
c
subject to subsection (5) below, to make any decision that falls to be made under or by virtue of a relevant enactment; ...
d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Where at any time a claim for a relevant benefit is decided by the Secretary of State—
a
the claim shall not be regarded as subsisting after that time; and
b
accordingly, the claimant shall not (without making a further claim) be entitled to the benefit on the basis of circumstances not obtaining at that time.
3
In this Chapter “relevant benefit” ... means any of the following, namely—
a
benefit under Parts II to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act;
aa
universal credit;
ab
state pension or a lump sum under Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2014;
ac
bereavement support payment under section 30 of the Pensions Act 2014;
b
a jobseeker’s allowance;
ba
an employment and support allowance;
baa
personal independence payment;
bb
state pension credit;
bc
a loan under section 18 of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016;
c
income support;
d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
f
a social fund payment mentioned in section 138(1)(a) or (2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act;
g
child benefit;
h
such other benefit as may be prescribed.
4
In this section “relevant enactment” means any enactment contained in this Chapter, the Contributions and Benefits Act, the Administration Act, the Social Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 1992, the Jobseekers Act, the State Pension Credit Act 2002, Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007, Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, Part 4 of that Act or Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2014, section 30 of that Act or sections 18 to 21 of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, other than one contained in—
a
Part VII of the Contributions and Benefits Act so far as relating to housing benefit and council tax benefit;
b
Part VIII of the Administration Act (arrangements for housing benefit and council tax benefit and related subsidies).
5
Subsection (1)(c) above does not include any decision which under section 8 of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 falls to be made by an officer of the Inland Revenue.
1992 c. 6.
Pt. 1 Ch. 2: power to transfer functions conferred (25.2.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), ss. 17, 28(2)(c) (with Sch. 8)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2: power to apply and exclude conferred (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), ss. 23(1), 28(3) (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)
Word in s. 8(1) inserted (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 7 para. 22(2)(a) (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)
S. 8(1)(d) and preceding word repealed (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 7 para. 22(2)(b), Sch. 10 Pt. I (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)
S. 8(5) substituted (1.4.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 7 para. 22(3) (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 applied (with modifications) by Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48), s. 171(2)(3) (as substituted (5.7.1999) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 28(3), Sch. 7 para. 19(3) (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/1662, art 2(b), Sch. Pt. 2 (with art. 4))
S. 8(1)(a)(c)(2)(3)(a)(g)(4)(5) in force at 5.7.1999 for specified purposes by S.I. 1999/1958, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with art. 5, Sch. 12)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (1.9.1999) by The Child Benefit (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2225), regs. 1(1), 2(2), Sch.
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (1.9.1999) by The Social Security (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2227), regs. 1(1), 2(2), Sch.
S. 8(1)(a)(c)(2)(3)(a)(4)(5) in force at 6.9.1999 for specified purposes by S.I. 1999/2422, art. 2(c), Sch. 1 (with art. 4, Sch. 14)
S. 8(1)(a)(c): transfer of functions (5.10.1999) by Tax Credits Act 1999 (c. 10), ss. 2(1)(b), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 5(b)(i) (with s. 19)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (5.10.1999) by Tax Credits Act 1999 (c. 10), s. 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 21 (with s. 19)
S. 8(1)(a)(c)(2)(3)(d)(e)(4)(5) in force at 5.10.1999 for specified purposes by S.I. 1999/2739, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 3, Sch. 2)
S. 8(1)(a)(c)(2)(3)(a)(b)(4)(5) in force at 18.10.1999 for specified purposes by S.I. 1999/2860, art. 2(c), Sch. 1 (with art. 4, Schs. 16-18)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (11.11.1999) by Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), ss. 52(4)(6)(g), 89(4)(a)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified by Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5), s. 2B(1)(3)-(8) (as inserted (11.11.1999) by Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), ss. 57, 89(4)(a))
S. 8 modified (E.W.S.) (1.6.1999 for specified purposes, 5.7.1999 for specified purposes, 6.9.1999 for specified purposes, 5.10.1999 for specified purposes, 18.10.1999 for specified purposes, 29.11.1999 so far as not already in force) by The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/991), regs. 1(2), 15
S. 8 in force at 29.11.1999 for specified purposes by S.I. 1999/3178, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with art. 4, Schs. 21-23)
Words in s. 8(3) repealed (6.4.2000) by Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), s. 89(3)(c), Sch. 13 Pt. VI; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 4(c)(e)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2: power to apply conferred (8.7.2002) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 61, 63(8)(a)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 functions transferred (26.2.2003 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 50(2)(e), s. 61, Sch. 4 para. 15; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2
S. 8(3)(bb) inserted (2.7.2002 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act 2002 (c. 16), s. 22(3), Sch. 1 para. 6(2); S.I. 2002/1691, art. 2(i); S.I. 2003/966, art. 2(a)
Words in s. 8(4) substituted (2.7.2002 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act 2002 (c. 16), s. 22(3), Sch. 1 para. 6(3); S.I. 2002/1691, art. 2(i); S.I. 2003/966, art. 2(a)
S. 8(3)(d)(e) repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 applied (8.7.2004) by Age-Related Payments Act 2004 (c. 10), s. 5(5)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 applied (1.9.2005) by The Age-Related Payments Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1983), regs. 1(1), 7(6)
S. 8 applied (N.I.) (10.4.2006) by The Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1034), regs. 1(1), 2
S. 8(1) modified by the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Transitional) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/310), regs. 11(6), 17(5) (as added by S.I. 1999/2422, art. 3(16)(a)(b) (added (16.10.2006) by S.I. 2006/2540, arts. 1(2), 2(3)(b)))
S. 8(3)(ba) inserted (18.3.2008 for specified purposes, 27.7.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5), s. 70(2), Sch. 3 para. 17(3)(a); S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)(3)(a), Sch.
Words in s. 8(4) substituted (18.3.2008 for specified purposes, 27.7.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5), s. 70(2), Sch. 3 para. 17(3)(b); S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)(3)(a), Sch.
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (21.7.2008 for specified purposes, 1.1.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 132(8), 170; S.I. 2008/3137, art. 2
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1907), regs. 1(2), 16(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 5
S. 8(1)(b) repealed (1.4.2013) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 8; S.I. 2012/3090, art. 2(1)(d) (with art. 3)
S. 8(3)(aa) inserted (25.2.2013 for specified purposes, 29.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 2 para. 45(a); S.I. 2013/358, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 21; S.I. 2013/983, art. 3(1)(b)(iii)
Words in s. 8(4) substituted (25.2.2013 for specified purposes, 29.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 2 para. 45(b); S.I. 2013/358, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 21; S.I. 2013/983, art. 3(1)(b)(iii)
S. 8(3)(baa) inserted (25.2.2013 for specified purposes, 8.4.2013 for specified purposes, 10.6.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 9 para. 39(a); S.I. 2013/358, arts. 2(1), 7(1)(2)(k), Sch. 1 para. 23, Sch. 3; S.I. 2013/1250, art. 2
S. 8(3)(ab) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 33(a)
Words in s. 8(4) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(4), Sch. 12 para. 33(b)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (6.4.2016) by The Social Security (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/287), regs. 1, 2(2)(d), Sch. (as varied (27.11.2016 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) in accordance with S.I. 2016/1050, regs. 1(2), 2(2), Sch.)
S. 8(3)(ac) inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 16 para. 39(2); S.I. 2017/297, art. 3(2) (with arts. 4, 5)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (14.11.2016 for specified purposes, 21.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Childcare Payments Act 2014 (c. 28), ss. 59(4)(a), 75(2); S.I. 2016/1083, reg. 2(g); S.I. 2017/578, reg. 3(e)
S. 8(3)(bc) inserted (27.7.2017) by Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (c. 7), ss. 20(4)(a), 36(6); S.I. 2017/802, reg. 2
Words in s. 8(4) substituted (27.7.2017) by Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (c. 7), ss. 20(4)(b), 36(6); S.I. 2017/802, reg. 2
S. 8 applied (6.4.2020) by The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/302), regs. 1(1), 2
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (24.7.2020) by The Universal Credit (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/677), regs. 1, 2, Sch.
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Switzerland) (Citizens' Rights Agreement) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1303), art. 2; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (1.1.2021) by The Social Security (Norway) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1597), arts. 1, 2(1)(2), Sch. (with art. 2(3))
S. 8 applied (12.4.2021) by The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/256), regs. 1(1), 2
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Switzerland) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1088), art. 2(1)-(3), Sch.
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1060), art. 2, Sch.