The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (“the 1996 Regulations”).

Certain people have to claim a jobseeker’s allowance as a couple rather than individually (known as a joint-claims couple). Regulation 2(2) amends the 1996 Regulations with the result that joint-claim couples shall include those childless couples where at least one member of the couple was born after 28th October 1947 instead of 28th October 1957.

Regulation 2(3) allows one member of a joint-claim couple to continue claiming a jobseeker’s allowance where that member, but not the other member, was entitled to an income-based jobseeker’s allowance on 24th February 2008. This continued claim ends when the member who was not entitled on 24th February 2008 is required to attend a place specified by an employment officer.

Regulation 2(4) revokes regulation 3F of the 1996 Regulations which is a spent provision.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provisions contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.