The Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1814) (“the 1992 Regulations”), the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1971) (“the 1987 Regulations”) and the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1644) to provide —

(a) that a claim for council tax benefit or housing benefit may be made by a person who has been recorded as a refugee by the Secretary of State in respect of the period from the date of his claim for asylum to the date he is recorded as a refugee;

(b) for the date on which such a claim for benefit is to be treated as made; and

(c) that any benefit to which the claimant is entitled shall be paid.

The Regulations also provide for the manner in which the benefit due is to be calculated and for modifying the effect of the 1987 and 1992 Regulations with respect to applicable amounts, the evidence to be produced in support of claims, changes of circumstances and the manner in which benefit is to be paid.

These Regulations are made under section 11 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and contain only regulations made by virtue of or consequential upon the aforesaid section 11 and which are made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the coming into force of that enactment. Accordingly they are exempted from reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee and have not been so referred.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on businesses.