Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

Status:

There are multiple versions of this provision on screen. These apply to different geographical extents. Help about Status

Close

Status

The term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section.

Sometimes the text of a provision is changed, but the change(s) only apply to a particular geographical area. In some limited cases where this happens, the editorial team create a version for each different geographical area. Multiple versions are only created in this way where the change in question is a substitution so that there are different versions of the text for the different extents. Insertions and repeals of text do not give rise to such multiple versions.

Skip to:

Changes to legislation:

Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, Section 70 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 26 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 70:

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

70 [F1Carer’s allowance].E+W

(1)A person shall be entitled to [F2a carer’s allowance] for any day on which he is engaged in caring for a severely disabled person if—

(a)he is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for that person;

(b)he is not gainfully employed; and

(c)the severely disabled person is either such relative of his as may be prescribed or a person of any such other description as may be prescribed.

[F3(1A)A person who was entitled to an allowance under this section immediately before the death of the severely disabled person referred to in subsection (1) shall continue to be entitled to it, even though he is no longer engaged in caring for a severely disabled person (and the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (c) are not satisfied), until—

(a)the end of the week in which he ceases to satisfy any other requirement as to entitlement to the allowance; or

(b)the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the Sunday following the death (or beginning with the date of death if the death occurred on Sunday),

whichever occurs first.]

(2)In this section, “severely disabled person” means a person in respect of whom there is payable either an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the highest or middle rate [F4or personal independence payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate] [F5or armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517)] [F6or [F7adult disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate or child disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the middle or highest rate]] [F8or pension age disability payment] or such other payment out of public funds on account of his need for attendance as may be prescribed.

(3)A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section if he is under the age of 16 or receiving full-time education.

(4)A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section unless he satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain.

[F9(4A)A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section for a period unless during that period the United Kingdom is competent for payment of sickness benefits in cash to the person for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Title III of the Regulation in question.]

F10(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F11(7)No person shall be entitled for the same day to—

(a)more than one allowance under this section; or

(b)both an allowance under this section and carer support payment.

(7ZA)Where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons would have a relevant entitlement for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person, one of them only shall have that entitlement and that shall be such one of them—

(a)as they may jointly elect in the prescribed manner; or

(b)as may, in default of such an election, be determined by the Secretary of State in the Secretary of State’s discretion.

(7ZB)Subsection (7ZC) applies where a person (A)—

(a)(disregarding the effect of regulation 5(3) of the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer support payment; or

(b)has, or would have, an entitlement to carer’s allowance in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have the power to make decisions,

for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZC)Another person (B) shall not have a relevant entitlement for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a)A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have the relevant entitlement (and that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b)in default of such an election, the Secretary of State is satisfied, following consultation with the Scottish Ministers, that—

(i)the Scottish Ministers have decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB); and

(ii)B shall have the relevant entitlement,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.]

[F12(7A)For the purposes of [F13subsections (7ZA) and (7ZC)] a person has a “relevant entitlement” if—

(a)the person is entitled to a carer’s allowance [F14in respect of which the Secretary of State has the power to make decisions] , or

(b)the person is entitled under section 12 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to the inclusion in an award of universal credit of an amount in respect of the fact that the person has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person.]

[F15(7B)In subsections (7) and (7ZB), “carer support payment” means carer’s assistance given in accordance with the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.]

(8)Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as engaged, or regularly and substantially engaged, in caring for a severely disabled person, as gainfully employed or as receiving full-time education.

(9)[F16A carer’s allowance] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 4.

F17(10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 70 (and cross-heading) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), art. 1(1)(b), 2(1)

F2Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F12S. 70(7A) inserted (3.11.2015 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Universal Credit and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1754), regs. 1(1), 11(3)

F16Words in s. 70(9) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

70 [F18Carer’s allowance].S

(1)A person shall be entitled to [F19a carer’s allowance] for any day on which he is engaged in caring for a severely disabled person if—

(a)he is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for that person;

(b)he is not gainfully employed; and

(c)the severely disabled person is either such relative of his as may be prescribed or a person of any such other description as may be prescribed.

[F20(1A)A person who was entitled to an allowance under this section immediately before the death of the severely disabled person referred to in subsection (1) shall continue to be entitled to it, even though he is no longer engaged in caring for a severely disabled person (and the requirements of subsection (1)(a) and (c) are not satisfied), until—

(a)the end of the week in which he ceases to satisfy any other requirement as to entitlement to the allowance; or

(b)the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the Sunday following the death (or beginning with the date of death if the death occurred on Sunday),

whichever occurs first.]

(2)In this section, “severely disabled person” means a person in respect of whom there is payable either an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the highest or middle rate [F21or personal independence payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate] [F22or [F23adult disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate or child disability payment by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the middle or highest rate]] [F24or pension age disability payment] [F25or armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517)] or such other payment out of public funds on account of his need for attendance as may be prescribed.

(3)A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section if he is under the age of 16 or receiving full-time education.

(4)A person shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section unless he satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain.

[F26(4A)A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to an allowance under this section for a period unless during that period the United Kingdom is competent for payment of sickness benefits in cash to the person for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Title III of the Regulation in question.]

F27(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F27(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F28(7)No person shall be entitled for the same day to—

(a)more than one allowance under this section; or

(b)both an allowance under this section and carer support payment.

(7ZA)Where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons would have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person, one of them only shall have that entitlement and that shall be such one of them—

(a)as they may jointly elect in the prescribed manner; or

(b)as may, in default of such an election, be determined by the Scottish Ministers.

(7ZB)Subsection (7ZC) applies where a person (A)—

(a)(disregarding the effect of regulation 5(3) of the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023) has, or would have, an entitlement to carer support payment; or

(b)has, or would have, an entitlement to carer’s allowance in respect of which the Secretary of State has the power to make decisions,

for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZC)Another person (B) shall not have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a)A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance (and that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b)in default of such an election, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied—

(i)that either—

(aa)A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)(a); or

(bb)the Secretary of State has decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement mentioned in subsection (7ZB)(b); and

(ii)that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.

(7ZD)Subsection (7ZE) applies where (but for regulation 29 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 preventing entitlement by different persons to the carer element and to carer’s allowance) a person (A) has, or would have, an entitlement to universal credit carer element for a day in respect of a severely disabled person.

(7ZE)Another person (B) shall not have an entitlement to carer’s allowance for the same day in respect of the same severely disabled person unless—

(a)A and B jointly elect in the prescribed manner that B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance (and that A shall not have an entitlement to universal credit carer element) for that day in respect of that severely disabled person; or

(b)in default of such an election, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that—

(i)the Secretary of State has decided, or will decide, that A shall not have an entitlement to universal credit carer element; and

(ii)B shall have an entitlement to carer’s allowance,

for that day in respect of that severely disabled person.]

[F29[F30(7A)For the purposes of subsections (7ZD) and (7ZE), “universal credit carer element” means the inclusion in an award of universal credit of an amount in respect of the fact that the person has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person under section 12 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.]

[F31(7B)In subsections (7) and (7ZB), “carer support payment” means carer’s assistance given in accordance with the Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.]

(8)Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as engaged, or regularly and substantially engaged, in caring for a severely disabled person, as gainfully employed or as receiving full-time education.

(9)[F32A carer’s allowance] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 4.

F33(10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F18Words in s. 70 (and cross-heading) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), art. 1(1)(b), 2(1)

F19Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

F30S. 70(7A) inserted (3.11.2015 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Universal Credit and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1754), regs. 1(1), 11(3)

F32Words in s. 70(9) substituted (1.9.2002 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by The Regulatory Reform (Carers Allowance) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1457), arts. 1(1)(b), 2(2), Sch. para. 2(c)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: