(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations further amend the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 to provide, in the calculation of income and capital, for the disregard of payments made to the incapacitated and very severely disabled out of the Independent Living Fund (regulations 2 and 4); in the calculation of a student’s grant income, for an increase in the disregard for books and equipment (regulation 6); and, in the calculation of capital, for the disregard of a claimant’s interest in his former dwelling to include any garage, garden or other outbuildings (regulation 8).
They also provide for housing benefit to be payable to persons in board and lodging accommodation (regulation 3); increase the deductions in a student’s eligible rent (regulation 5); and provide for deductions to be made from eligible rent in respect of meals or where the accommodation consists of one room, in respect of fuel charges for heating, hot water and lighting (regulation 7).
The Regulations are made before the expiry of 12 months from the commencement of the enactments under which they are made; they are accordingly exempt by section 61(5) of the Social Security Act 1986, from reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee and have not been so referred.