The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

[F1 Claimants appealing a decision N.I.

147A.— [F2 (1) This regulation applies where a claimant has made and is pursuing an appeal against a relevant decision of the Department as defined in regulation 30.]

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where this regulation applies, a determination of limited capability for work by the Department under regulation 19 shall not be made until the appeal is determined by the appeal tribunal.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply where either—

(a) the claimant suffers from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement from which the claimant was not suffering when entitlement began; or

(b) a disease or bodily or mental disablement from which the claimant was suffering at that date has significantly worsened.

(4) Where this regulation applies and the Department makes a determination—

(a) in a case to which paragraph (3) applies (including where the determination is not the first such determination) that the claimant does not have or, by virtue of regulation 22 or 23, is to be treated as not having limited capability for work; or

(b) subsequent to a determination that the claimant is to be treated as having limited capability for work by virtue of a provision of these Regulations other than regulation 30, that the claimant is no longer to be so treated,

this regulation and regulation 30 apply as if that determination had not been made.

(5) Where this regulation applies and—

(a) the claimant is entitled to an employment and support allowance by virtue of being treated as having limited capability for work in accordance with regulation 30;

(b) neither of the circumstances in paragraph (3) applies, or, subsequent to the application of either of those circumstances, the claimant has been determined not to have limited capability for work; and

(c) the claimant’s appeal is dismissed, withdrawn or [F3 , struck out or has been discontinued in accordance with the provisions of regulation 33(9) of the Decisions and Appeals Regulations (making of appeals and applications)]

the claimant is to be treated as not having limited capability for work [F4 with effect from the day specified in paragraph (5A).]

[F5 (5A) The day specified for the purposes of paragraph (5) is the first day of the benefit week following the date on which the Department either—

(a) receives the clerk of the appeal tribunal’s notification that the appeal is dismissed, withdrawn or struck out, or

(b) discontinues action on an appeal in the circumstances to which regulation 33(9) (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations applies.]

(6) Where a claimant’s appeal is successful, subject to paragraph (7), any finding of fact or other determination embodied in or necessary to the decision of the appeal tribunal or on which the appeal tribunal’s decision is based shall be conclusive for the purposes of the decision of the Department, in relation to an award made in a case to which this regulation applies, as to whether the claimant has limited capability for work or limited capability for work-related activity.

(7) Paragraph (6) does not apply where, due to a change of circumstances after entitlement to which this regulation applies began, the Department is satisfied that it is no longer appropriate to rely on such finding or determination.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 147A and cross heading heading inserted (28.6.2010) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/200), regs. 1, 9(15)

F2 Reg. 147A(1) substituted (30.3.2015) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Repeat Assessments and Pending Appeal Awards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/185), regs. 1(1), 3(3)

F3 Words in reg. 147A(5)(c) substituted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(10)(a)

F4 Words in reg. 147A(5) substituted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(10)(b)

F5 Reg. 147A(5A) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(11)