2011 No. 1498
The Social Security (Electronic Communications) Order 2011
Made
Coming into force in accordance with Article 1
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, considering that the authorisation of the use of electronic communications by this Order for any purpose is such that the extent (if any) to which records of things done for that purpose will be available will be no less satisfactory in cases where use is made of electronic communications than in other cases, makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 8 and 9 of the Electronic Communications Act 20001.
A draft of this instrument was laid before Parliament in accordance with section 9(4) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
Citation and commencement1
1
This Order may be cited as the Social Security (Electronic Communications) Order 2011 and, except as provided in paragraph (2), it comes into force on 20th June 2011.
2
Article 2 and 4(2) come into force on 1st February 2012.
Amendment of the Jobseekers Act 19952
1
The Jobseekers Act 19952 is amended as follows.
2
After section 9(3) (the jobseeker’s agreement)3, insert—
3A
The agreement may be in electronic form and signed by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000).
3
After section 10(2) (variation of jobseeker’s agreement)4, insert—
2A
Any agreement to vary a jobseeker’s agreement may be in electronic form and signed by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000).
Amendment of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 19963
1
The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 19965 are amended as follows.
2
In regulation 1 (interpretation), after paragraph (5) insert—
6
In such cases and subject to such conditions or requirements as the Secretary of State may specify by means of a direction, any requirement imposed by or under these Regulations for a signature may be satisfied by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.)
3
After regulation 24A (alternative means of notifying changes of circumstances)6 insert—
Information given electronically24B
1
A person may give any certificate, notice, information or evidence required to be given and in particular may give notice of a change of circumstances required to be notified under regulation 24 by means of an electronic communication, in accordance with the provisions set out in Schedule 9ZC to the Claims and Payments Regulations.
2
In this regulation, “electronic communication” has the meaning given in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.
Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19874
1
The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19878 are amended as follows.
2
In regulation 4ZC(2) (electronic claims for benefit)9, after “graduated retirement benefit,” insert “a jobseeker’s allowance,”.
3
For regulation 32ZA(2) (information given electronically)10 substitute—
2
This regulation applies in relation to an award of—
a
attendance allowance;
b
carer’s allowance;
c
disability living allowance;
d
an employment and support allowance;
e
income support;
f
a jobseeker’s allowance.
4
In paragraph 2(1) (conditions for the use of electronic communication) of Schedule 9ZC (electronic communication)11—
a
after “graduated retirement benefit,” insert “a jobseeker’s allowance,”;
b
at the end insert “and in connection with awards of an employment and support allowance and income support”.
Amendment of the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 19995
1
The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 199912 are amended as follows.
2
In regulation 1(3) (interpretation) in the definition of “the date of notification”13—
a
at the end of paragraph (a) omit “or”;
b
after paragraph (b) insert—
; or
c
where notification of a decision of the Secretary of State is sent by means of an electronic communication (within the meaning given in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000), the date on which the notification is sent.
Amendment of the Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations 20016
1
The Social Security (Notification of Change of Circumstances) Regulations 200114 are amended as follows.
2
In regulation 3 (change affecting jobseeker’s allowance)15—
a
in paragraph (1) for “paragraph (1A)” substitute, “paragraphs (1ZA) and (1A)”;
b
after paragraph (1) insert—
1ZA
Where the notice in writing referred to in paragraph (1) is given or sent by an electronic communication that notice must be given or sent in accordance with the provisions set out in Schedule 9ZC to the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (electronic communication).
3
In regulation 5 (change affecting other benefit payment or advantage)16—
a
in paragraph (1) for “paragraph (1ZZA)” substitute, “paragraphs (1ZZA) and (1ZA)”;
b
for paragraph (1ZB) substitute—
1ZB
Paragraph (1ZA) applies in relation to—
a
attendance allowance;
b
carer’s allowance;
c
disability living allowance;
d
an employment and support allowance;
e
income support.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
(This note is not part of the Order)