The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations contain only provisions in consequence of an order under section 132 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to, that Act, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

Regulation 2 provides that where a question has arisen about the effect of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 (“the Up-rating Order”) on a benefit already in payment the altered rate will not apply until that question is determined.

Regulation 3 applies the provisions of regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1978 so as to restrict the application of the increases specified in the Up-rating Order in cases where the beneficiary lives abroad.

Regulation 4 raises from £3,016·00 to £3,042·00 a year the earnings limit which applies to unemployability supplement.

Regulation 5 raises from £58·00 to £58·50 the weekly earnings limit which must not be exceeded if work is to be treated as exempt for incapacity benefit purposes.

Regulation 6 contains consequential revocations.