Social Security Administration Act 1992

[F1Redirection of postU.K.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 182A and cross-heading inserted (25.8.1997 for specified purposes, 16.11.1998 in so far as not already in force) by Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 (c. 47), ss. 20(1), 25(1); S.I. 1997/2056, art. 2; S.I. 1998/2779, art. 2

182AReturn of social security postU.K.

(1)A social security authority may require [F2a postal operator (within the meaning of [F3Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011])].

to return to the sender social security post sent by or on behalf of the authority which would otherwise be redirected.

(2)A social security authority shall make payments of such amount as the Secretary of State considers reasonable in respect of the return of social security post in compliance with a requirement imposed by the authority under subsection (1) above.

(3)In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security authority” means—

(a)the Secretary of State;

(b)the Northern Ireland Department; or

(c)[F4any local or other authority administering housing benefit or council tax benefit (including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive).]

(4)In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security post” means postal packets—

(a)the contents of which relate to any benefit, contributions or national insurance number or to any other matter relating to social security; and

(b)which are marked, in a manner approved by the [F5postal operator concerned], with the name and address of the sender and with an indication that they are to be returned rather than redirected.

(5)In this section—

(a)“redirected”, in relation to any postal packet, means delivered to an address other than that indicated by the sender on the packet; and

(b)“postal packet” has the same meaning as in [F6Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011].

(6)Any requirement imposed under subsection (1) above has effect subject to any order under—

(a)section 371 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or Article 342 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (redirection of bankrupt's letters to trustee in bankruptcy);

(b)paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 of the Solicitors Act 1974 or paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (redirection of letters following intervention by Law Society); or

(c)paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (redirection of letters following intervention by Council for Licensed Conveyancers).]

Textual Amendments

F3Words in s. 182A(1) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5), s. 93(2)(3), Sch. 12 para. 140; S.I. 2011/2329, art. 3

F4S. 182A(3)(c) repealed (1.4.2013 in so far as relates to the abolition of council tax benefit) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/358, art. 8(c), Sch. 4 (with arts. 9, 10, Sch. 5)

F6Words in s. 182A(5)(b) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5), s. 93(2)(3), Sch. 12 para. 140; S.I. 2011/2329, art. 3

[F7182BRequirement to supply information about redirection of postU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State or the Northern Ireland Department may require [F8a postal operator] to supply information relating to arrangements for the redirection of postal packets to, or to a person supplying services to, the Secretary of State or the Department—

(a)for the use in the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences relating to social security; or

(b)for use in checking the accuracy of information relating to benefits, contributions or national insurance numbers or to any other matter relating to social security and (where appropriate) amending or supplementing such information.

[F9(2)A local or other authority administering housing benefit or council tax benefit (including Northern Ireland Housing Executive) may require [F10a postal operator] to supply information relating to arrangements for the redirection of postal packets to the authority or a person authorised to exercise any function of the authority relating to housing benefit or council tax benefit—

(a)for use in the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of offences relating to such a benefit; or

(b)for use in checking the accuracy of information relating to such a benefit and (where appropriate) amending or supplementing such information.]

(3)Information shall be supplied under subsection (1) or (2) above in such manner and form, and in accordance with such requirements, as may be prescribed.

(4)Payments of such amount as the Secretary of State considers reasonable shall be made by a person or authority imposing a requirement under subsection (1) or (2) above in respect of the supply of information in compliance with the requirement.

(5)Information supplied under subsection (1) or (2) above shall not be supplied by the recipient to any other person or body unless—

(a)it could be supplied to that person or body under either of those subsections; or

(b)it is supplied for the purposes of any civil or criminal proceedings relating to the Contributions and Benefits Act, the Jobseekers Act 1995[F11, Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012][F12, Part 4 of that Act] or this Act or to any provision of Northern Ireland legislation corresponding to any of them.

(6)But where information supplied under subsection (1) or (2) above has been used (in accordance with paragraph (b) of the subsection concerned) in amending or supplementing other information, it is lawful for it to be—

(a)supplied to any person or body to whom that other information could be supplied; or

(b)used for any purpose for which that other information could be used.

(7)In subsections (1) or (2) above “arrangements for the redirection of postal packets” means arrangements made with the [F13postal operator concerned] for the delivery of postal packets to addresses other than those indicated by senders on the packets.

(8)In this section

  • [F14“postal operator” has the same meaning as in [F15Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011];]

  • “postal packets” has the same [F16meaning as in that Part].]

Textual Amendments

F9S. 182B(2) repealed (1.4.2013 in so far as relates to the abolition of council tax benefit) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/358, art. 8(c), Sch. 4 (with arts. 9, 10, Sch. 5)

F12Words in s. 182B(5)(b) inserted (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. 29; S.I. 2013/358, art. 7(1)(2)(k), Sch. 3; S.I. 2013/1250, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)