Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

Part I N.I. Contributions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. I (ss. 1-19): power to modify conferred (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 35, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 5(3)(d); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

Pt. I (ss. 1-19) amended (1.4.1999) by 1999 c. 2, s. 3(1)(7); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2

C2 Pt. 1 modified (5.10.2009) by The Steps to Work (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/297), arts. 1(1), 2(1)(a)

Preliminary N.I.

1 Outline of contributory system. N.I.

(1) The funds required—

(a) for paying such benefits under this Act [F1 or any other Act or Northern Ireland legislation] as are payable out of the National Insurance Fund and not out of other public money; and

(b) for the making of payments under section 142 of the Administration Act towards the cost of the health service,

shall be provided by means of contributions payable to the [F2 Inland Revenue] by earners, employers and others, together with the additions under subsection (5) below [F3 and amounts payable under Article 4 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1993].

(2) Contributions under this Part of this Act shall be of the following F4 ... classes—

(a) Class 1, earnings-related, payable under section 6 below, being—

(i) primary Class 1 contributions from employed earners; and

(ii) secondary Class 1 contributions from employers and other persons paying earnings;

(b) Class 1A, payable under section 10 below F5 ... by persons liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions and certain other persons;

[F6 (bb) Class 1B, payable under section 10A below by persons who are accountable to the Inland Revenue in respect of income tax on [F7 general earnings] in accordance with a PAYE settlement agreement;]

(c) Class 2, flat-rate, payable F8 ... under section 11 below by self-employed earners;

(d) Class 3, payable under section 13 [F9 or 13A] below by earners and others voluntarily with a view to providing entitlement to benefit, or making up entitlement;

[F10 (da) Class 3A, payable by eligible people voluntarily under section 14A with a view to obtaining units of additional pension;] and

(e) Class 4, payable under section 15 below in respect of the profits or gains of a trade, profession or vocation, or under section 18 below in respect of equivalent earnings.

(3) The amounts and rates of contributions in this Part of this Act and the other figures in it which affect the liability of contributors shall—

(a) be subject to regulations under sections 19(4) and 116 to 119 below; and

(b) to the extent provided for by section 129 of the Administration Act be subject to alteration by orders made under that section,

F11 ...

(4) Schedule 1 to this Act—

(a) shall have effect with respect to the computation, collection and recovery of contributions of Classes 1, 1A, [F12 1B,] 2 [F13 , 3 and 3A], and otherwise with respect to contributions of those classes; and

(b) shall also, to the extent provided by regulations made under section 18 below, have effect with respect to the computation, collection and recovery of Class 4 contributions, and otherwise with respect to such contributions, F14 ...

(5) For each financial year there shall, by way of addition to contributions, be paid out of money hereafter appropriated for that purpose, in such manner and at such times as the Department of Finance and Personnel may determine, amounts the total of which for any such year is equal to the aggregate of all statutory sick pay [F15 , statutory maternity pay, [F16 statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay and statutory shared parental pay]] recovered by employers and others in that year, as estimated by the Department.

(6) No person shall—

(a) be liable to pay Class 1, Class 1A [F17 , Class 1B] or Class 2 contributions unless he fulfils prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Northern Ireland;

(b) be entitled to pay Class 3 contributions unless he fulfils such conditions; or

(c) be entitled to pay Class 1, Class 1A [F17 , Class 1B] or Class 2 contributions other than those which he is liable to pay, except so far as he is permitted by regulations to pay them.

[F18 (7) Regulations under subsection (6) above shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 1(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 3

F2 Words in s. 1(1) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 5(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F3 Words in s. 1(1) added (17.3.1993) by S.I. 1993/592 (N.I. 2), arts. 1(2), 4(9)

F4 Word in s. 1(2) omitted (12.10.2015) by virtue of Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 16(2)(a); S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

F5 Words in s. 1(2)(b) repealed (with effect in relation to tax year 2000-2001 and subsequent tax years) by 2000 c. 19, ss. 78(1)(8), 85, Sch. 9 Pt. VIII(2), note 1 (with s. 78(9))

F6 S. 1(2)(bb) inserted (9.9.1998 for the purpose of making regulations and 6.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 38(1); S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F7 Words in s. 1(2)(bb) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 191 (with Sch. 7)

F8 Word in s. 1(2)(c) omitted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 11, 35

F9 Words in s. 1(2)(d) inserted (6.4.2009) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 136(3), 149(4)

F10 S. 1(2)(da) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 16(2)(b); S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

F11 Words in s. 1(3) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 48

F12 Words in s. 1(4)(a) inserted (9.9.1998 for the purpose of making regulations and 6.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 38(2); S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F13 Words in s. 1(4)(a) substituted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 16(3); S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

F14 Words in s. 1(4)(b) repealed (omitted 24.3.1999 for specified purposes only and wholly repealed 1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), 24(3), Sch. 1 para. 5(3), Sch. 9 Pt. I (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F15 Words in s. 1(5) substituted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 7(3); S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F16 Words in s. 1(5) substituted (15.3.2015 for specified purposes, 5.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(2); S.R. 2015/86, arts. 3(2)(i), 4(2)(h), 5 (with art. 7(2))

F17 Words in s. 1(6) inserted (9.9.1998 for the purpose of making regulations and 6.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 38(3); S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F18 S. 1(7) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

2 Categories of earners. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act and Parts II to V—

(a) “employed earner” means a person who is gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service, or in an office (including elective office) with F19 ... [F20 earnings]; and

(b) “self-employed earner” means a person who is gainfully employed in Northern Ireland otherwise than in employed earner’s employment (whether or not he is also employed in such employment).

(2) Regulations may provide—

(a) for employment of any prescribed description to be disregarded in relation to liability for contributions otherwise arising from employment of that description;

(b) for a person in employment of any prescribed description to be treated, for the purposes of this Act, as falling within one or other of the categories of earner defined in subsection (1) above, notwithstanding that he would not fall within that category apart from the regulations.

[F21 (2ZA) Regulations under subsection (2)(b) may make provision treating a person (“P”) as falling within one or other of the categories of earner in relation to an employment where arrangements have been entered into the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of which is to secure—

(a) that P is not treated by other provision in regulations under subsection (2)(b) as falling within that category of earner in relation to the employment, or

(b) that a person is not treated as the secondary contributor in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of P in respect of the employment.

(2ZB) In subsection (2ZA) “arrangements” include any scheme, transaction or series of transactions, agreement or understanding, whether or not legally enforceable, and any associated operations.]

[F22 (2A) Regulations under subsection (2) above shall be made by the Treasury and, in the case of regulations under paragraph (b) of that subsection, with the concurrence of the Department.]

(3) Where a person is to be treated by reference to any employment of his as an employed earner, then he is to be so treated for all purposes of this Act; and references throughout this Act to employed earner’s employment shall be construed accordingly.

(4) Subsections (1) to (3) above are subject to the provision made by section 95 below as to the employments which are to be treated, for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit, as employed earner’s employments.

(5) For the purposes of this Act, a person shall be treated as a self-employed earner as respects any week during any part of which he is such an earner (without prejudice to his being also treated as an employed earner as respects that week by reference to any other employment of his).

Textual Amendments

F19 Word in s. 2(1)(a) omitted (13.5.2014) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(2)(4)

F20 Words in s. 2(1)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 192 (with Sch. 7)

F21 S. 2(2ZA)(2ZB) inserted (12.2.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 6(5)

F22 S. 2(2A) substituted (11.11.1999) by 1999 c. 30, ss. 81, 89(4)(d), Sch. 11 para. 10

3 “Earnings” and “earner”. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act and Parts II to V—

(a) “earnings” includes any remuneration or profit derived from an employment; and

(b) “earner” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) For the purposes of this Part of this Act and of Parts II to V F23 ... —

(a) the amount of a person’s earnings for any period; or

(b) the amount of his earnings to be treated as comprised in any payment made to him or for his benefit,

shall be calculated or estimated in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed [F24 by regulations made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department].

[F25 (2A) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) above may provide that, where a payment is made or a benefit provided to or for the benefit of two or more earners, a proportion (determined in such manner as may be prescribed) of the amount or value of the payment or benefit shall be attributed to each earner.]

(3) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) above may prescribe that payments of a particular class or description made or falling to be made to or by a person shall, to such extent as may be prescribed, be disregarded or, as the case may be, be deducted from the amount of that person’s earnings.

[F26 (4) Subsection (5) below applies to regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) above which make special provision with respect to the earnings periods of directors and former directors of companies.

(5) Regulations to which this subsection applies may make provision—

(a) for enabling companies, and directors and former directors of companies, to pay on account of any earnings-related contributions that may become payable by them such amounts as would be payable by way of such contributions if the special provision had not been made; and

(b) for requiring any payments made in accordance with the regulations to be treated, for prescribed purposes, as if they were the contributions on account of which they were made.]

Textual Amendments

F23 Words in s. 3(2) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 6; S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(3)

F24 Words in s. 3(2) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 4 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F25 S. 3(2A) inserted (9.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 45; S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

F26 S. 3(4)(5) added (9.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 46; S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 3 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

4 Payments treated as remuneration and earnings. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of section 3 above there shall be treated as remuneration derived from employed earner’s employment—

(a) any sum paid to or for the benefit of a person in satisfaction (whether in whole or in part) of any entitlement of that person to—

(i) statutory sick pay; or

(ii) statutory maternity pay; [F27 or]

[F28 (iii) statutory paternity pay; or

(iv) statutory adoption pay; or

(v) statutory shared parental pay; and]

(b) any sickness payment made—

(i) to or for the benefit of the employed earner; and

(ii) in accordance with arrangements under which the person who is the secondary contributor in relation to the employment concerned has made, or remains liable to make, payments towards the provision of that sickness payment.

(2) Where the funds for making sickness payments under arrangements of the kind mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above are attributable in part to contributions to those funds made by the employed earner, regulations may make provision for disregarding, for the purposes of that subsection, the prescribed part of any sum paid as a result of the arrangements.

(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above “sickness payment” means any payment made in respect of absence from work due to incapacity for work F29 . . ..

[F30 (4) For the purposes of section 3 above there shall be treated as remuneration derived from an employed earner’s employment—

[F31 (a) the amount of any gain calculated under section 479 [F32 of ITEPA 2003 in respect of which an amount counts as employment income of the earner under section 476 of that Act (charge on acquisition of securities pursuant to option etc), reduced by any amounts deducted under section 480(1) to (6) of that Act in arriving at the amount counting as such employment income;]]

(b) any sum paid (or treated as paid) to or for the benefit of the earner which is chargeable to tax by virtue of [F33 section 225 or 226 of ITEPA 2003] (taxation of consideration for certain restrictive undertakings).]

(5) For the purposes of section 3 above regulations may make provision for treating as remuneration derived from an employed earner’s employment any payment made by a body corporate to or for the benefit of any of its directors where that payment would, when made, not be earnings for the purposes of this Act.

[F34 (6) Regulations may make provision for the purposes of this Part—

(a) for treating any amount on which an employed earner is chargeable to income tax under [F35 the employment income Parts of ITEPA 2003] as remuneration derived from the earner’s employment; and

(b) for treating any amount which in accordance with regulations under paragraph (a) above constitutes remuneration as an amount of remuneration paid, at such time as may be determined in accordance with the regulations, to or for the benefit of the earner in respect of his employment.]

[F36 (7) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department.]

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 4(1)(a)(iii)(iv) and preceding word inserted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 17(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(1); S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F28 S. 4(1)(a)(iii)-(v) substituted (15.3.2015 for specified purposes, 5.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(3); S.R. 2015/86, arts. 3(2)(i), 4(2)(h), 5 (with art. 7(2))

F29 Words in s. 4(3) repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 1, Sch. 2 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F30 S. 4(4) substituted (1.7.1998 for specified purposes and 9.9.1998 otherwise with effect as mentioned in art. 47(3) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 47(1)(3); S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I,

F31 S. 4(4)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 193(2) (with Sch. 7)

F32 Words in s. 4(4)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with Sch. 22 para. 48(2) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2003 (c. 14), Sch. 22 para. 48(1)(b)

F33 Words in s. 4(4)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 193(3) (with Sch. 7)

F34 S. 4(6) substituted (with effect in relation to tax year 2000-2001 and subsequent tax years) by 2000 c. 19, s. 78(3)(8) (with s. 78(9))

F35 Words in s. 4(6)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 193(4) (with Sch. 7)

F36 S. 4(7) added (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 5 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 4 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

C5 S. 4(1) modified (with effect in relation to tax year 2001-2002 and subsequent tax years) by S.R. 1979/186, Sch. 1ZC Pt. X para. 7 (as inserted by S.I. 2001/597, regs. 1(2), 11, Sch. 2

[F37 4A Earnings of workers supplied by service companies etc. N.I.

(1) Regulations may make provision for securing that where—

(a) an individual (“the worker”) personally performs, or is under an obligation personally to perform, services [F38 for another person] (“the client”),

(b) the performance of those services by the worker is (within the meaning of the regulations) referable to arrangements involving a third person (and not referable to any contract between the client and the worker), and

(c) the circumstances are such that, were the services to be performed by the worker under a contract between him and the client, he would be regarded for the purposes of the applicable provisions of this Act as employed in employed earner’s employment by the client,

relevant payments or benefits are, to the specified extent, to be treated for those purposes as earnings paid to the worker in respect of an employed earner’s employment of his.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “the intermediary” means—

(i) where the third person mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above has such a contractual or other relationship with the worker as may be specified, that third person, or

(ii) where that third person does not have such a relationship with the worker, any other person who has both such a relationship with the worker and such a direct or indirect contractual or other relationship with the third person as may be specified; and

(b) a person may be the intermediary despite being—

(i) a person with whom the worker holds any office or employment, or

(ii) a body corporate, unincorporated body or partnership of which the worker is a member;

and subsection (1) above applies whether or not the client is a person with whom the worker holds any office or employment.

[F39 (2A) Regulations may also make provision for securing that where the services of an individual (“the worker”) are provided (directly or indirectly) by a managed service company (“the MSC”) relevant payments or benefits are, to the specified extent, to be treated for the purposes of the applicable provisions of this Act as earnings paid to the worker in respect of an employed earner’s employment of his.

(2B) In subsection (2A) “managed service company” has the same meaning as it has for the purpose of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of ITEPA 2003.]

(3) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for the worker to be treated for the purposes of the applicable provisions of this Act, in relation to the specified amount of relevant payments or benefits (the worker’s “attributable earnings”), as employed in employed earner’s employment by the intermediary [F40 or the MSC (as the case requires)];

(b) for the [F41 intermediary or MSC (whether or not fulfilling] the conditions prescribed under section 1(6)(a) above for secondary contributors) to be treated for those purposes as the secondary contributor in respect of the worker’s attributable earnings;

(c) for determining—

(i) any deductions to be made, and

(ii) in other respects the manner and basis in and on which the amount of the worker’s attributable earnings for any specified period is to be calculated or estimated,

in connection with relevant payments or benefits;

(d) for aggregating any such amount, for purposes relating to contributions, with other earnings of the worker during any such period;

(e) for determining the date by which contributions payable in respect of the worker’s attributable earnings are to be paid and accounted for;

(f) for apportioning payments or benefits of any specified description, in such manner or on such basis as may be specified, for the purpose of determining the part of any such payment or benefit which is to be treated as a relevant payment or benefit for the purposes of the regulations;

(g) for disregarding for the purposes of the applicable provisions of this Act, in relation to relevant payments or benefits, an employed earner’s employment in which the worker is employed (whether by the intermediary [F42 or the MSC] or otherwise) to perform the services in question;

(h) for otherwise securing that a double liability to pay any amount by way of a contribution of any description does not arise in relation to a particular payment or benefit or (as the case may be) a particular part of a payment or benefit;

(i) for securing that, to the specified extent, two or more persons, whether—

(i) connected persons (within the meaning of [F43 section 993 of the Income Tax Act 2007]), or

(ii) persons of any other specified description,

are treated as a single person for any purposes of the regulations;

(j) (without prejudice to paragraph (i) above) for securing that a contract made with a person other than the client is to be treated for any such purposes as made with the client;

(k) for excluding or modifying the application of the regulations in relation to such cases, or payments or benefits of such description, as may be specified.

(4) Regulations made in pursuance of subsection (3)(c) above may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for the making of a deduction of a specified amount in respect of general expenses of the intermediary as well as deductions in respect of particular expenses incurred by him;

(b) for securing reductions in the amount of the worker’s attributable earnings on account of—

(i) any secondary Class 1 contributions already paid by the intermediary [F44 or the MSC] in respect of actual earnings of the worker, and

(ii) any such contributions that will be payable by [F45 that person] in respect of the worker’s attributable earnings.

(5) Regulations under this section may make provision for securing that, in applying any provisions of the regulations, any term of a contract or other arrangement which appears to be of a description specified in the regulations is to be disregarded.

(6) In this section—

• “the applicable provisions of this Act” means this Part of this Act and Parts II to V below;

• F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “relevant payments or benefits” means payments or benefits of any specified description made or provided (whether to the intermediary [F47 or the MSC,] or the worker or otherwise) in connection with the performance by the worker of the services in question;

• “specified” means prescribed by or determined in accordance with regulations under this section.

(7) Any reference in this section to the performance by the worker of any services includes a reference to any such obligation of his to perform them as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above.

(8) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department.

(9) If, on any modification of the statutory provisions relating to income tax, it appears to the Treasury to be expedient to modify any of the preceding provisions of this section for the purpose of assimilating the law relating to income tax and the law relating to contributions under this Part of this Act, the Treasury may with the concurrence of the Department by order make such modifications of the preceding provisions of this section as the Treasury think appropriate for that purpose.]

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 4A inserted (22.12.1999) by 1999 c. 30, s. 76; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 3

F38 Words in s. 4A(1)(a) substituted (8.8.2003) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1884), arts. 1, 3

F39 S. 4A(2A)(2B) inserted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(2)

F40 Words in s. 4A(3)(a) inserted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(3)(a)

F41 Words in s. 4A(3)(b) substituted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(3)(b)

F42 Words in s. 4A(3)(g) inserted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(3)(c)

F43 Words in s. 4A(3)(i) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 1034(1) of the amending Act) by Income Tax Act 2007 (c. 3), s. 1034(1), Sch. 1 para. 292 (with Sch. 2)

F44 Words in s. 4A(4)(b)(i) inserted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(4)(a)

F45 Words in s. 4A(4)(b)(ii) substituted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(4)(b)

F46 Words in s. 4A(6) omitted (8.8.2003) by virtue of The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1884), arts. 1, 4

F47 Words in s. 4A(6) inserted (24.7.2007) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2072), arts. 1, 2(5)

[F48 4AA Limited liability partnerships N.I.

(1) The Treasury may, for the purposes of this Act, by regulations—

(a) provide that, in prescribed circumstances—

(i) a person (“E”) is to be treated as employed in employed earner's employment by a limited liability partnership (including where E is a member of the partnership), and

(ii) the limited liability partnership is to be treated as the secondary contributor in relation to any payment of earnings to or for the benefit of E as the employed earner;

(b) prescribe how earnings in respect of E's employed earner employment with the limited liability partnership are to be determined (including what constitutes such earnings);

(c) provide that such earnings are to be treated as being paid to or for the benefit of E at prescribed times.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may modify the definition of “employee” or “employer” in section 159, 167, 167ZJ or 167ZS below as the Treasury consider appropriate to take account of any provision falling within subsection (1)(a) to (c).

(3) If—

(a) a provision of the Income Tax Acts relating to limited liability partnerships or members of limited liability partnerships is passed or made, and

(b) in consequence, the Treasury consider it appropriate for provision to be made for the purpose of assimilating to any extent the law relating to income tax and the law relating to contributions under this Part,

the Treasury may by regulations make that provision.

(4) The provision that may be made under subsection (3) includes provision modifying any provision made by or under this Act.

(5) Regulations under this section are to be made with the concurrence of the Department.

(6) Section 4(4) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 does not limit the provision that may be made by regulations under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F48 S. 4AA inserted (13.3.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 14(6)

[F49 4B Earnings: power to make retrospective provision in consequence of retrospective tax legislation N.I.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a provision of the Income Tax Acts which relates to income tax chargeable under the employment income Parts of ITEPA 2003 is passed or made so as to have retrospective effect (“the retrospective tax provision”), and

(b) it appears to the Treasury to be appropriate to make regulations under a relevant power for the purpose of reflecting the whole or part of the provision made by the retrospective tax provision.

(2) Those regulations may be made so as to have retrospective effect if it appears to the Treasury to be expedient, in consequence of the retrospective tax provision, for the regulations to have that effect.

(3) A “relevant power” means a power to make regulations under any of the following provisions—

(a) section 3 (power to prescribe the manner and basis of the calculation or estimation of earnings);

(b) section 4(6) (power to treat amounts chargeable to income tax under the employment income Parts of ITEPA 2003 as earnings);

(c) section 4A (power to treat payments or benefits to workers supplied by service companies etc as earnings);

[F50 (d) section 4AA (power to make provision in relation to limited liability partnerships)].

(4) It does not matter whether the retrospective tax provision in question was passed or made before the day on which the National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 was passed.

(5) But nothing in subsection (2) authorises regulations to be made which have effect in relation to any time before 2nd December 2004.

(6) Regulations under a relevant power made by virtue of subsection (2) may affect, for the purposes of any contributions legislation for the purposes of which the regulations are made, the earnings in respect of an employment paid to or for the benefit of an earner at a time before the regulations are made.

(7) In such a case, subsections (8) and (9) apply and in those subsections and this subsection—

• “relevant contributions legislation” means any contributions legislation for the purposes of which the regulations have the effect mentioned in subsection (6);

• “the relevant time” means the time before the regulations are made mentioned in that subsection;

• “the revised earnings” means the earnings, in respect of the employment, paid to or for the benefit of the earner at the relevant time as determined after applying the regulations.

(8) References in any relevant contributions legislation, or any provision made under any such legislation, which relate to—

(a) the earnings, in respect of the employment, paid to or for the benefit of the earner at the relevant time, or

(b) the amount of such earnings so paid at that time,

are to be read, in so far as they so relate, as references which relate to the revised earnings or, as the case may be, the amount of those earnings.

(9) Any matter which, at the time when the regulations are made, has been determined for the purposes of any relevant contributions legislation, or any provision made under any such legislation, wholly or partly by reference to—

(a) the earnings, in respect of the employment, paid to or for the benefit of the earner at the relevant time, or

(b) the amount of such earnings so paid at that time,

is to be redetermined as it would have been determined at the time of the original determination if it had been determined wholly or partly, as the case may be, by reference to the revised earnings or the amount of those earnings.

(10) The matters referred to in subsection (9) may include—

(a) whether Class 1 contributions are payable in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of the earner in a tax week, and

(b) the amount of any such contribution.

(11) Subsections (7) to (10) are subject to any express provision to the contrary (including any such provision made by regulations under section 4C(1)).

(12) The power conferred by subsection (2) is without prejudice to any powers conferred by or by virtue of any other provision of this Act or of any other enactment.

(13) For the purposes of this section—

• “contributions legislation” means any Part of this Act or provision of such a Part;

• “enactment” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of section 4C.

Textual Amendments

F49 Ss. 4B, 4C inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 2(1), 9

F50 S. 4B(3)(d) inserted (13.3.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 14(7)

4C Power to make provision in consequence of provision made by or by virtue of section 4B(2) etc N.I.

(1) The Treasury may by regulations made with the concurrence of the relevant Northern Ireland department (if any) make such provision as appears to the Treasury to be expedient for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (2) in consequence of any provision made by or by virtue of section 4B(2).

(2) Those purposes are—

(a) any purpose relating to any contributions;

(b) any purpose relating to any contributory benefit or contribution-based jobseeker's allowance;

(c) any purpose relating to any statutory payment;

F51 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) any purpose of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of that Act (reduction in state scheme contributions and benefits for members of certified schemes);

(f) such other purposes as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the relevant Northern Ireland department (if any).

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—

(a) modifying any provision of any enactment (including this Act and any enactment passed or made on or after the commencement day);

(b) for any provision of any such enactment to apply in such cases, and with such modifications (if any), as the regulations may prescribe.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made so as to have retrospective effect but must not have effect in relation to any time before 2nd December 2004.

(5) In particular, regulations under subsection (1) made by virtue of subsection (4) may affect any of the following matters—

(a) liability to pay contributions F52 ...

(b) the amount of any contribution F53 ...

(c) entitlement to a contributory benefit or contribution-based jobseeker's allowance;

(d) the amount of any such benefit or allowance;

(e) entitlement to a statutory payment;

(f) the amount of any such payment;

F54 (g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F54 (h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(i) liability to make payments under section 38A(3) of the Pensions Act or to pay minimum contributions under section 39 of that Act;

(j) the amount of any such payment or contribution.

(6) In such a case, where the matter has been determined before the time when the regulations are made, the regulations may provide for the matter to be redetermined accordingly.

(7) If (ignoring this subsection) the operative provisions would directly or indirectly have effect in any case so as—

(a) to remove a person's entitlement to a contributory benefit, contribution-based jobseeker's allowance or statutory payment, or

(b) to reduce the amount of any such benefit, allowance or payment to which a person has an entitlement,

those provisions are to be read with such modifications as are necessary to ensure that they do not have that effect.

(8) For the purposes of subsection (7)—

(a) “the operative provisions” are section 4B(7) to (10) and any provision made by virtue of section 4B(2) or under subsection (1) of this section;

(b) a person's “entitlement” includes any future entitlement which the person may have.

(9) The powers conferred by this section are without prejudice to any powers conferred by or by virtue of any other provision of this Act or any other enactment.

(10) In particular, any modification of any provision of an instrument by regulations made under subsection (1) is without prejudice to any other power to amend or revoke the provisions of the instrument (including the modified provision).

(11) For the purposes of this section—

• “the commencement day” means the day on which the National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 was passed;

• “enactment” includes—

  (a)

  Northern Ireland legislation, and

  (b)

  an instrument made under Northern Ireland legislation (as well as an instrument made under an Act);

• “statutory payment” means—

  (a)

  statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay, [F55 statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay or statutory shared parental pay]; or

  (b)

  any other payment prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the relevant Northern Ireland department (if any);

• “the relevant Northern Ireland department”, in relation to regulations made under this section, means each Northern Ireland department responsible for any of the matters to which the regulations relate.]

Textual Amendments

F49 Ss. 4B, 4C inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 2(1), 9

F51 S. 4C(2)(d) repealed (6.4.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 41(2), Sch. 6 Pt. 7; S.R. 2012/115, art. 2(2)(a)(ii)(b)

F52 Words in s. 4C(5)(a) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 49

F53 Words in s. 4C(5)(b) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 49

F54 S. 4C(5)(g)(h) repealed (6.4.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 21(1), Sch. 4 para. 41(3)(b), Sch. 6 Pt. 7; S.R. 2012/115, art. 2(2)(a)(ii)(b)

F55 Words in s. 4C(11) substituted (15.3.2015 for specified purposes, 5.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(4); S.R. 2015/86, arts. 3(2)(i), 4(2)(h), 5 (with art. 7(2))

Class 1 contributions N.I.

[F56 5 Earnings limits and thresholds for Class 1 contributions. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Act there shall for every tax year be—

(a) the following for primary Class 1 contributions—

(i) a lower earnings limit,

(ii) a primary threshold, and

(iii) an upper earnings limit; and

(b) a secondary threshold for secondary Class 1 contributions.

Those limits and thresholds shall be the amounts specified for that year by regulations F57 ...

F58 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F59 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Regulations may, in the case of each of the limits or thresholds mentioned in subsection (1) above, prescribe an equivalent of that limit or threshold in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly (and references in this Act or any other statutory provision to “the prescribed equivalent”, in the context of any of those limits or thresholds, are accordingly references to the equivalent prescribed under this subsection in relation to such earners).

(5) The power conferred by subsection (4) above to prescribe an equivalent of any of those limits or thresholds includes power to prescribe an amount which exceeds, by not more than £1.00, the amount which is the arithmetical equivalent of that limit or threshold.

(6) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F56 S. 5 substituted (22.12.1999 for specified purposes and 6.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 30, s. 74, Sch. 10 para. 1; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 2

F57 Words in s. 5(1) repealed (21.9.2008) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2008 (c. 16), ss. 2(1)(a), 6(1), Sch. 2

F58 S. 5(2) repealed (with effect in relation to the tax year 2011–12 and subsequent tax years) by Pensions Act 2007 (c. 22), ss. 8(3), 30(3), Sch. 7 Pt. 4 (with ss. 5(4), 8(4)); S.I. 2010/2650

F59 S. 5(3) repealed (with effect in relation to regulations specifying the upper earnings limit for 2009-10 or any subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2008 (c. 16), ss. 2(1)(b), 6(1), Sch. 2 (with s. 6(3))

[F60 6 Liability for Class 1 contributions. N.I.

(1) Where in any tax week earnings are paid to or for the benefit of an earner over the age of 16 in respect of any one employment of his which is employed earner’s employment—

(a) a primary Class 1 contribution shall be payable in accordance with this section and section 8 below if the amount paid exceeds the current primary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent); and

(b) a secondary Class 1 contribution shall be payable in accordance with this section and section 9 below if the amount paid exceeds the current secondary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent).

(2) No primary or secondary Class 1 contribution shall be payable in respect of earnings if a Class 1B contribution is payable in respect of them.

(3) Except as may be prescribed, no primary Class 1 contribution shall be payable in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of an employed earner after he attains pensionable age, but without prejudice to any liability to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in respect of any such earnings.

(4) The primary and secondary Class 1 contributions referred to in subsection (1) above are payable as follows—

(a) the primary contribution shall be the liability of the earner; and

(b) the secondary contribution shall be the liability of the secondary contributor;

but nothing in this subsection shall prejudice the provisions of [F61 paragraphs 3 to 3B of Schedule 1 to this Act.]

(5) Except as provided by this Act, the primary and secondary Class 1 contributions in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of an earner in respect of any one employment of his shall be payable without regard to any other such payment of earnings in respect of any other employment of his.

(6) Regulations may provide for reducing primary or secondary Class 1 contributions which are payable in respect of persons to whom Part XII of the M1 Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (redundancy payments) does not apply by virtue of Article 242(2) or 250 of that Order.

(7) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F60 S. 6 substituted (22.12.1999 for specified purposes and 6.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 30, s. 74, Sch. 10 para. 2; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 2

F61 Words in s. 6(4) substituted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 19, s. 81(3)

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16).

[F62 6A Notional payment of primary Class 1 contribution where earnings not less than lower earnings limit. N.I.

(1) This section applies where in any tax week earnings are paid to or for the benefit of an earner over the age of 16 in respect of any one employment of his which is employed earner’s employment and the amount paid—

(a) is not less than the current lower earnings limit (or the prescribed equivalent), but

(b) does not exceed the current primary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent).

(2) Subject to any prescribed exceptions or modifications—

(a) the earner shall be treated as having actually paid a primary Class 1 contribution in respect of that week, and

(b) those earnings shall be treated as earnings upon which such a contribution has been paid,

for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (3) below.

(3) The purposes are—

(a) the purposes of section 14(1)(a) below;

(b) the purposes of the provisions mentioned in section 21(5A)(a) to (c) below;

(c) any other purposes relating to contributory benefits; F63 ...

(d) any purposes relating to jobseeker’s allowance[F64 ; and

(e) any purposes relating to employment and support allowance].

(4) Regulations may provide for any provision of this Act which, in whatever terms, refers—

(a) to primary Class 1 contributions being payable by a person, or

(b) otherwise to a person’s liability to pay such contributions,

to have effect for the purposes of this section with any prescribed modifications.

(5) Except as may be prescribed, nothing in this section applies in relation to earnings paid to or for the benefit of an employed earner after he attains pensionable age.

(6) Except as provided by this Act, this section applies in relation to earnings paid to or for the benefit of an earner in respect of any one employment of his irrespective of any other such payment of earnings in respect of any other employment of his.

(7) Regulations under this section shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F62 S. 6A inserted (22.12.1999 for specified purposes and 6.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 30, s. 74, Sch. 10 para. 3; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 2

F63 Word in s. 6A(3) repealed (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F64 S. 6A(3)(e) and preceding word added (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(2); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 6A(2) modified (6.4.2000) by S.I. 2000/748, regs. 3-6

7 “Secondary contributor”. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the “secondary contributor” in relation to any payment of earnings to or for the benefit of an employed earner, is—

(a) in the case of an earner employed under a contract of service, his employer;

(b) in the case of an earner employed in an office with F65 ... [F66 earnings], either—

(i) such person as may be prescribed in relation to that office; or

(ii) if no person is prescribed, the government department, public authority or body of persons responsible for paying the F65 ... [F66 earnings] of the office;

but this subsection is subject to subsection (2) below.

(2) In relation to employed earners who—

(a) are paid earnings in a tax week by more than one person in respect of different employments; or

(b) work under the general control or management of a person other than their immediate employer,

and in relation to any other case for which it appears to the [F67 Treasury] that such provision is needed, regulations may provide that the prescribed person is to be treated as the secondary contributor in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of an earner.

[F68 (2A) Regulations under subsection (2) may make provision treating a person as the secondary contributor in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of an earner if arrangements have been entered into the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of which is to secure that the person is not so treated by other provision in regulations under subsection (2).

(2B) In subsection (2A) “arrangements” include any scheme, transaction or series of transactions, agreement or understanding, whether or not legally enforceable, and any associated operations.]

[F69 (3) Regulations under any provision of this section shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F65 Words in s. 7(1)(b) omitted (13.5.2014) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 8

F66 Words in s. 7(1)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 194 (with Sch. 7)

F67 Word in s. 7(2) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 8(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F68 S. 7(2A)(2B) inserted (12.2.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 6(6)

F69 S. 7(3) added (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 8(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

[F70 8 Calculation of primary Class 1 contributions. N.I.

(1) Where a primary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(a) above, the amount of that contribution is the aggregate of—

(a) the main primary percentage of so much of the earner’s earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, as—

(i) exceeds the current primary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent); but

(ii) does not exceed the current upper earnings limit (or the prescribed equivalent); and

(b) the additional primary percentage of so much of those earnings as exceeds the current upper earnings limit (or the prescribed equivalent).

(2) For the purposes of this Act—

(a) the main primary percentage is [F71 12] per cent; and

(b) the additional primary percentage is [F72 2] per cent;

but the main primary percentage is subject to alteration under section 129 of the Administration Act.

(3) Subsection (1) above is subject to—

(a) regulations under section 6(6) above;

(b) regulations under sections 116 to 119 below; F73 ...

F73 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

Textual Amendments

F70 S. 8 substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 1(2), 8(2)

F71 Figure in s. 8(2)(a) substituted (6.4.2011) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 1(1)(a), 13(1)

F72 Word in s. 8(2)(b) substituted (6.4.2011) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 1(1)(b), 13(1)

F73 S. 8(3)(c) and preceding word omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 50

[F74 9 Calculation of secondary Class 1 contributions. N.I.

(1) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, the amount of that contribution shall be [F75 the relevant percentage] of so much of the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, as exceeds the current secondary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent).

[F76 (1A) For the purposes of subsection (1) “the relevant percentage” is—

(a) if section 9A below applies to the earnings, the age-related secondary percentage;

[F77 (aa) if section 9B below (zero-rate secondary Class 1 contributions for certain apprentices) applies to the earnings, 0%;]

(b) otherwise, the secondary percentage.]

[F78 (2) For the purposes of this Act the secondary percentage is [F79 13.8] per cent; but that percentage is subject to alteration under section 129 of the Administration Act.

(3) Subsection (1) above is subject to—

(a) regulations under section 6(6) above;

(b) regulations under sections 116 to 119 below; F80 ...

F80 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]]

Textual Amendments

F74 S. 9 substituted (22.12.1999 for specified purposes and 6.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 30, s. 74, Sch. 10 para. 5; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 2

F75 Words in s. 9(1) substituted (6.4.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 9(7)(a)(12)

F76 S. 9(1A) inserted (6.4.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 9(7)(b)(12)

F77 S. 9(1A)(aa) inserted (12.2.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 1(7)(11)(b)

F78 S. 9(2)(3) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 2(2), 8(2)

F79 Figure in s. 9(2) substituted (6.4.2011) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 1(2), 13(1)

F80 S. 9(3)(c) and preceding word omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5 (N.I.)), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 51

[F81 9A The age-related secondary percentage N.I.

(1) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this section applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, if the earner falls within an age group specified in column 1 of the table in subsection (3).

[F82 (1A) But this section does not apply to those earnings so far as section 9B below (zero-rate secondary Class 1 contributions for certain apprentices) applies to them.]

(2) For the purposes of section 9(1A)(a) above, the age-related secondary percentage is the percentage for the earner's age group specified in column 2 of the table.

(3) Here is the table—

Age group	Age-related secondary percentage
Under 21	0%

(4) The Treasury may by regulations amend the table—

(a) so as to add an age group in column 1 and to specify the percentage in column 2 for that age group;

(b) so as to reduce (or further reduce) the percentage specified in column 2 for an age group already specified in column 1 (whether for the whole of the age group or only part of it).

(5) A percentage specified under subsection (4)(a) must be lower than the secondary percentage.

(6) For the purposes of this Act a person is still to be regarded as being liable to pay a secondary Class 1 contribution even though the amount of the contribution is £0 because the age-related secondary percentage is 0%.

(7) The Treasury may by regulations provide that, in relation to an age group specified in the table, there is to be for every tax year an upper secondary threshold for secondary Class 1 contributions.

That threshold is to be the amount specified for that year by regulations made by the Treasury.

(8) Subsections (4) and (5) of section 5 above (which confer power to prescribe an equivalent of a secondary threshold in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly), and subsection (6) of that section as it applies for the purposes of those subsections, apply for the purposes of an upper secondary threshold in relation to an age group as they apply for the purposes of a secondary threshold.

(9) Where—

(a) a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above,

(b) the earner falls within an age group in relation to which provision has been made under subsection (7), and

(c) the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, exceed the current upper secondary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent) in relation to the age group,

this section is not to apply to the earnings so far as they exceed that threshold (or the prescribed equivalent); and for the purposes of section 9(1) above the relevant percentage in respect of the earnings so far as they exceed that threshold (or the prescribed equivalent) is, accordingly, to be the secondary percentage.

(10) In subsections (7) to (9) references to an age group include a part of an age group.]

Textual Amendments

F81 S. 9A inserted (13.5.2014 for specified purposes, 6.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 9(8)(11)(a)

F82 S. 9A(1A) inserted (6.4.2016) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 1(8)(11)(b)

[F83 9B Zero-rate secondary Class 1 contributions for certain apprentices N.I.

(1) Where a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above, this section applies to the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, if the earner is a relevant apprentice in relation to that employment.

(2) An earner is a “relevant apprentice”, in relation to an employment, if the earner—

(a) is aged under 25, and

(b) is employed, in the employment, as an apprentice.

(3) For the purposes of this Act a person is still to be regarded as being liable to pay a secondary Class 1 contribution even if the amount of the contribution is £0 because this section applies to the earnings in question.

(4) The Treasury may by regulations provide that, in relation to relevant apprentices, there is to be for every tax year an upper secondary threshold for secondary Class 1 contributions.

That threshold is to be the amount specified for that year by regulations made by the Treasury.

(5) Subsections (4) and (5) of section 5 above (which confer power to prescribe an equivalent of a secondary threshold in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly), and subsection (6) of that section as it applies for the purposes of those subsections, apply for the purposes of an upper secondary threshold in relation to relevant apprentices as they apply for the purposes of a secondary threshold.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if—

(a) a secondary Class 1 contribution is payable as mentioned in section 6(1)(b) above,

(b) the earnings paid in the tax week, in respect of the employment in question, exceed the current upper secondary threshold (or the prescribed equivalent) in relation to relevant apprentices, and

(c) the earner is a relevant apprentice in relation to the employment.

(7) This section does not apply to those earnings so far as they exceed that threshold (or the prescribed equivalent) (“the excess earnings”) and, accordingly, for the purposes of section 9(1) above the relevant percentage in respect of the excess earnings is the secondary percentage.

(8) But the Treasury may by regulations modify the effect of subsection (7) in a case in which the earner falls within an age group specified in column 1 of the table in section 9A(3) above.

(9) In subsection (2)(b) “apprentice” has such meaning as the Treasury may prescribe.

(10) The Treasury may by regulations amend subsection (2)(a) so as to alter the age that an earner must be in order to be a relevant apprentice (and regulations under this subsection may have the effect of allowing anyone who is of an age at which secondary Class 1 contributions are payable to be a relevant apprentice).]

Textual Amendments

F83 S. 9B inserted (12.4.2015 for specified purposes, 6.4.2016 in so far as not already in force) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 1(9)(11)

Class 1A contributions N.I.

[F84 10 Class 1A contributions F85 ... N.I.

(1) Where—

[F86 (a) for any tax year an earner is chargeable to income tax under ITEPA 2003 on an amount of general earnings received by him from any employment (“the relevant employment”),]

[F87 (b) the relevant employment is both—

(i) employed earner’s employment, and

(ii) an employment, other than [F88 lower-paid employment as a minister of religion], for the purposes of the benefits code (see Chapter 2 of Part 3 of ITEPA 2003),]

(c) the whole or a part of the [F89 general earnings] falls, for the purposes of Class 1 contributions, to be left out of account in the computation of the earnings paid to or for the benefit of the earner,

a Class 1A contribution shall be payable for that tax year, in accordance with this section, in respect of that earner and so much of the [F90 general earnings] as falls to be so left out of account.

[F91 (1A) A Class 1A contribution is payable for a tax year, in accordance with this section, in respect of an earner and the amount of a termination award if and so far as—

(a) that amount counts as employment income of the earner under section 403 of ITEPA 2003 (charge on termination payments or benefits), and

(b) the earner is chargeable to income tax on that amount for the tax year by virtue of that section.

(1B) No Class 1A contribution is payable under subsection (1A) in respect of an amount so far as it is an amount of earnings in respect of which Class 1 contributions are payable.

(1C) No Class 1A contribution is payable under subsection (1A) unless the employment which is terminated is employed earner's employment.]

(2) Subject to [F92 sections 10ZA and 10ZBA], a Class 1A contribution [F93 payable under subsection (1)] for any tax year shall be payable by—

(a) the person who is liable to pay the secondary Class 1 contribution relating to the last (or only) relevant payment of earnings in that tax year in relation to which there is a liability to pay such a Class 1 contribution; or

(b) if paragraph (a) above does not apply, the person who, if the [F94 general earnings] in respect of which the Class 1A contribution is payable were earnings in respect of which Class 1 contributions would be payable, would be liable to pay the secondary Class 1 contribution.

(3) In subsection (2) above “relevant payment of earnings” means a payment which for the purposes of Class 1 contributions is a payment of earnings made to or for the benefit of the earner in respect of the relevant employment.

[F95 (3A) A Class 1A contribution payable under subsection (1A) is payable by the person who, if the amount in respect of which the Class 1A contribution is payable were earnings in respect of which Class 1 contributions would be payable, would be liable to pay the secondary Class 1 contribution.]

(4) The amount of the Class 1A contribution [F96 payable under subsection (1)] in respect of any [F97 general earnings] shall be the Class 1A percentage of so much of [F98 them] as falls to be left out of account as mentioned in subsection (1)(c) above.

[F99 (4A) The amount of the Class 1A contribution payable under subsection (1A) in respect of an amount is the Class 1A percentage of that amount.]

(5) In [F100 subsections (4) and (4A)] above “the Class 1A percentage” means a [F101 secondary percentage] for the tax year in question.

(6) No Class 1A contribution shall be payable for any tax year in respect of so much of any [F102 general earnings] as is taken for the purposes of the making of Class 1B contributions for that year to be included in a PAYE settlement agreement.

[F103 (7) In calculating for the purposes of this section the amount of general earnings received by an earner from an employment, a deduction under any of the excluded provisions is to be disregarded.

This subsection does not apply in relation to a deduction if subsection (7A) applies in relation to it.

(7A) Where—

(a) a deduction in respect of a matter is allowed under an excluded provision, and

(b) the amount deductible is at least equal to the whole of any corresponding amount which would (but for this section) fall by reference to that matter to be included in the general earnings mentioned in subsection (7),

the whole of the corresponding amount shall be treated as not included.

(7B) For the purposes of subsections (7) and (7A) “excluded provision” means—

(a) any provision of Chapter 2 of Part 5 of ITEPA 2003 (deductions for employee’s expenses) other than section 352 (limited deduction for agency fees paid by entertainers), F104 ...

[F105 (aa) any of sections 363 to 365 of ITEPA 2003 (certain deductions from benefits code earnings), or]

(b) any provision of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of ITEPA 2003 (deductions for earnings representing benefits or reimbursed expenses).]

(8) The Treasury may by regulations—

[F106 (a) modify the effect of subsections (7) and (7A) above by amending subsection (7B) so as to include any enactment contained in the Income Tax Acts within the meaning of “excluded provision”; or]

(b) make such amendments of [F107 subsections (7) to (7B)] above as appear to them to be necessary or expedient in consequence of any alteration of the provisions of the Income Tax Acts relating to the charge to tax [F108 on employment income] .

(9) The Treasury may by regulations provide—

(a) for Class 1A contributions not to be payable, in prescribed circumstances, by prescribed persons or in respect of prescribed persons [F109 , general earnings or termination awards];

(b) for reducing Class 1A contributions in prescribed circumstances.

F110 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F111 (11) The Treasury may by regulations modify the law relating to Class 1A contributions in the case of an employed earner's employment which is treated as existing by virtue of regulations under section 4AA.]

[F112 (12) In this section “termination award” means a payment or benefit received by an earner (or an earner's spouse, civil partner, blood relative or dependant) in connection with the termination of the earner's employment.]]

Textual Amendments

F84 S. 10 substituted (28.7.2000) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19), s. 78(2)

F85 Words in s. 10 heading omitted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(10), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F86 S. 10(1)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(2) (with Sch. 7)

F87 S. 10(1)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(3) (with Sch. 7)

F88 Words in s. 10(1)(b)(ii) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2016-17 and subsequent tax years) by Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 13(4), Sch. 1 para. 24(2)

F89 Words in s. 10(1)(c) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(4) (with Sch. 7)

F90 Words in s. 10(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(5) (with Sch. 7)

F91 S. 10(1A)-(1C) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(2), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F92 Words in s. 10(2) substituted (6.4.2020 except in relation to sporting testimonials which take place on or after 6.4.2020 but which were announced before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 4(2), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 3

F93 Words in s. 10(2) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(3), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F94 Words in s. 10(2)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(6) (with Sch. 7)

F95 S. 10(3A) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(4), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F96 Words in s. 10(4) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(5), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F97 Words in s. 10(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(7)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F98 Word in s. 10(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(7)(b) (with Sch. 7)

F99 S. 10(4A) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(6), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F100 Words in s. 10(5) substituted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(7), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F101 Words in s. 10(5) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 21

F102 Words in s. 10(6) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(8) (with Sch. 7)

F103 S. 10(7)-(7B) substituted for s. 10(7) (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(9) (with Sch. 7)

F104 Word in s. 10(7B) omitted (with effect in relation to the tax year beginning with 6.4.2006 and subsequent tax years) by virtue of The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 10(7B)) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/795), regs. 1, 2(a)

F105 S. 10(7B)(aa) inserted (with effect in relation to the tax year beginning with 6.4.2006 and subsequent tax years) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 10(7B)) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/795), regs. 1, 2(b)

F106 S. 10(8)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(10) (with Sch. 7)

F107 Words in s. 10(8)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(11)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F108 Words in s. 10(8)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(11)(b) (with Sch. 7)

F109 Words in s. 10(9)(a) substituted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(8), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

F110 S. 10(10) repealed (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 195(13), Sch. 8 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 7)

F111 S. 10(11) inserted (13.3.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 14(8)

F112 S. 10(12) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to termination awards received on or after 6.4.2020 in respect of employment which was terminated before 6.4.2020, or termination awards which are received in instalments where the first instalment of the termination award was received before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 2(9), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 2

[F113 10ZA Liability of third party provider of benefits in kind. N.I.

(1) This section applies, where—

(a) a Class 1A contribution is payable for any tax year in respect of the whole or any part of [F114 general earnings] received by an earner;

(b) [F115 the general earnings, in so far as they are ones in respect of which] such a contribution is payable, [F116 consist] in a benefit provided for the earner or a member of his family or household;

(c) the person providing the benefit is a person other than the person (“the relevant employer”) by whom, but for this section, the Class 1A contribution would be payable in accordance with section 10(2) above; and

(d) the provision of the benefit by that other person has not been arranged or facilitated by the relevant employer.

[F117 (1A) This section does not apply if the benefit is a sporting testimonial payment (see section 10ZBA).]

(2) For the purposes of this Act if—

(a) the person providing the benefit pays an amount for the purpose of discharging any liability of the earner to income tax for any tax year, and

(b) the income tax in question is tax chargeable in respect of the provision of the benefit or of the making of the payment itself,

the amount of the payment shall be treated as if it were [F118 general earnings] consisting in the provision of a benefit to the earner in that tax year and falling, for the purposes of Class 1 contributions, to be left out of account in the computation of the earnings paid to or for the benefit of the earner.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, the liability to pay any Class 1A contribution in respect of—

(a) the benefit provided to the earner, and

(b) any further benefit treated as so provided in accordance with subsection (2) above,

shall fall on the person providing the benefit, instead of on the relevant employer.

(4) Subsection (3) above applies in the case of a Class 1A contribution for the tax year beginning with 6th April 2000 only if the person providing the benefit in question gives notice in writing to the Inland Revenue on or before 6th July 2001 that he is a person who provides benefits in respect of which a liability to Class 1A contributions is capable of falling by virtue of this section on a person other than the relevant employer.

(5) The Treasury may by regulations make provision specifying the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this Act as having arranged or facilitated the provision of any benefit.

(6) In this section references to a member of a person’s family or household shall be construed in accordance with [F119 section 721(5) of ITEPA 2003] .]

Textual Amendments

F113 Ss. 10ZA, 10ZB inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 19, s. 79(1)

F114 Words in s. 10ZA(1)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 196(2) (with Sch. 7)

F115 Words in s. 10ZA(1)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 196(3)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F116 Word in s. 10ZA(1)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 196(3)(b) (with Sch. 7)

F117 S. 10ZA(1A) inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to sporting testimonials which take place on or after 6.4.2020 but which were announced before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 4(3), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 3

F118 Words in s. 10ZA(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 196(4) (with Sch. 7)

F119 Words in s. 10ZA(6) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 196(5) (with Sch. 7)

[F120 10ZB Non-cash vouchers provided by third parties. N.I.

(1) In section 10ZA above references to the provision of a benefit include references to the provision of a non-cash voucher.

(2) Where—

(a) a non-cash voucher is received by any person from [F121 employment which is [F122 lower-paid employment as a minister of religion], and]

(b) the case would be one in which the conditions in section 10ZA(1)(a) to (d) above would be satisfied in relation to the provision of that voucher [F123 if that employment were not [F124 lower-paid employment as a minister of religion]],

sections 10 and 10ZA above shall have effect in relation to the provision of that voucher, and to any such payment in respect of the provision of that voucher as is mentioned in section 10ZA(2) above, [F125 as if that employment were not [F124 lower-paid employment as a minister of religion]].

(3) In this section “non-cash voucher” has the same meaning as in [F126 section 84 of ITEPA 2003] .]

Textual Amendments

F120 Ss. 10ZA, 10ZB inserted (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 19, s. 79(1)

F121 Words in s. 10ZB(2)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 197(2) (with Sch. 7)

F122 Words in s. 10ZB(2)(a) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2016-17 and subsequent tax years) by Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 13(4), Sch. 1 para. 24(3)(a)

F123 Words in s. 10ZB(2)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 197(3) (with Sch. 7)

F124 Words in s. 10ZB(2) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2016-17 and subsequent tax years) by Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 13(4), Sch. 1 para. 24(3)(b)

F125 Words in s. 10ZB(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 197(4) (with Sch. 7)

F126 Words in s. 10ZB(3) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 197(5) (with Sch. 7)

[F127 10ZBA Liability of third party controller of sporting testimonial N.I.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a Class 1A contribution is payable for any tax year in respect of the whole or any part of general earnings received by an earner;

(b) the general earnings, in so far as they are ones in respect of which such a contribution is payable, consist in a sporting testimonial payment; and

(c) the controller of the sporting testimonial is not the person (“the relevant employer”) by whom, but for this section, the Class 1A contribution would be payable in accordance with section 10(2).

(2) The controller of the sporting testimonial, instead of the relevant employer, is liable to pay any Class 1A contribution in respect of the sporting testimonial payment.

(3) Subsection (4) applies if—

(a) the controller of the sporting testimonial pays an amount (“the amount to cover tax”) for the purpose of discharging any liability of the earner to income tax for any tax year (“the relevant year”), and

(b) the income tax in question is tax chargeable in respect of the sporting testimonial payment or of the amount to cover tax.

(4) For the purposes of this Act the amount to cover tax is to be treated as if it were general earnings consisting in the making of a sporting testimonial payment to the earner in the relevant year and falling, for the purposes of Class 1 contributions, to be left out of account in the computation of the earnings paid to or for the benefit of the earner.

(5) The controller of the sporting testimonial, instead of the relevant employer, is liable to pay any Class 1A contribution in respect of any further sporting testimonial payment treated as made to the earner in accordance with subsection (4).

(6) Expressions used in this section and section 226E of ITEPA 2003 (sporting testimonial payments) have the same meaning as in that section.]

Textual Amendments

F127 S. 10ZBA inserted (6.4.2020 except in relation to sporting testimonials which take place on or after 6.4.2020 but which were announced before 6.4.2020) by National Insurance Contributions (Termination Awards and Sporting Testimonials) Act 2019 (c. 23), ss. 4(4), 5(3); S.I. 2020/285, reg. 3

[F128 10ZC Class 1A contributions: power to make provision in consequence of retrospective tax legislation N.I.

(1) The Treasury may by regulations make such provision as appears to the Treasury to be expedient for any purpose of the law relating to Class 1A contributions in consequence of any relevant retrospective tax provision—

(a) which is passed or made at or before the time when the regulations are made, or

(b) which may be passed or made after that time.

(2) “Relevant retrospective tax provision” means a provision of the Income Tax Acts which—

(a) has retrospective effect, and

(b) affects the amount of general earnings received by an earner from an employment on which he is chargeable to income tax under the employment income Parts of ITEPA 2003 for a tax year.

(3) It does not matter whether the relevant retrospective tax provision was passed or made before the commencement day.

(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) modifying any provision of any enactment (including this Act and any enactment passed or made on or after the commencement day);

(b) for any provision of any such enactment to apply in such cases, and with such modifications (if any), as the regulations may prescribe.

(5) Regulations under this section may be made so as to have retrospective effect but must not have effect in relation to any time before 2nd December 2004.

(6) In particular, regulations under this section made by virtue of subsection (5)—

(a) may affect matters determined before the time when the regulations are made, and

(b) may provide for those matters to be redetermined accordingly.

(7) Regulations under this section—

(a) may not impose any liability to pay a Class 1A contribution, and

(b) may not increase the amount of any Class 1A contribution.

(8) The powers conferred by this section are without prejudice to—

(a) any liability to pay a Class 1A contribution which arises by virtue of any relevant retrospective tax provision, and

(b) any powers conferred by or by virtue of any other provision of this Act or any other enactment.

(9) In particular, any modification of any provision of an instrument by regulations under this section is without prejudice to any other power to amend or revoke the provisions of the instrument (including the modified provision).

(10) For the purposes of this section—

• “the commencement day” means the day on which the National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 was passed;

• “enactment” includes an instrument made under an Act.]

Textual Amendments

F128 S. 10ZC inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 4(1), 9

[F129 Class 1B contributions N.I.

Textual Amendments

F129 S. 10A and preceding cross-heading inserted (9.9.1998 for the purpose only of making regulations or orders and otherwise 6.4.1999) by The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10)), art. 50; S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

10A Class 1B contributions. N.I.

(1) Where for any tax year a person is accountable to the Inland Revenue in respect of income tax on [F130 general earnings] of his employees in accordance with a PAYE settlement agreement, a Class 1B contribution shall be payable by him for that tax year in accordance with this section.

(2) The Class 1B contribution referred to in subsection (1) above is payable in respect of—

(a) the amount of any of [F131 the general earnings included] in the PAYE settlement agreement which are chargeable emoluments; and

(b) the total amount of income tax in respect of which the person is accountable for the tax year in accordance with the PAYE settlement agreement.

(3) The amount of the Class 1B contribution referred to in subsection (1) above shall be the Class 1B percentage of the aggregate of the amounts mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) above.

(4) [F132 General earnings are chargeable emoluments] for the purposes of subsection (2) above if, apart from section [F133 6(2) or 10(6)] above, the person accountable in accordance with the PAYE settlement agreement would be liable or entitled to pay secondary Class 1 contributions or Class 1A contributions in respect of them.

(5) Where—

(a) the PAYE settlement agreement was entered into after the beginning of the tax year; and

(b) Class 1 contributions were due in respect of any [F134 general earnings] before it was entered into,

those [F134 general earnings] shall not be taken to be included in the PAYE settlement agreement.

[F135 (6) In subsection (3) above “the Class 1B percentage” means a percentage rate equal to [F136 the secondary percentage] for the tax year in question.]

(7) [F137 The Treasury may by regulations] provide for persons to be excepted in prescribed circumstances from liability to pay Class 1B contributions.]

Textual Amendments

F130 Words in s. 10A(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 198(2) (with Sch. 7)

F131 Words in s. 10A(2)(a) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 198(3) (with Sch. 7)

F132 Words in s. 10A(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 198(4) (with Sch. 7)

F133 Words in s. 10A(4) substituted (1.9.2004) by National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Act 2004 (c. 3), s. 13, Sch. 1 para. 2(2); S.I. 2004/1943, art. 5(a)(ii)

F134 Words in s. 10A(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 198(5) (with Sch. 7)

F135 S. 10A(6) substituted (6.4.2000) by 1999 c. 30, s. 78; S.I. 1999/3420, art. 4(a)

F136 Words in s. 10A(6) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 22

F137 Words in s. 10A(7) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 12 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

Class 2 contributions N.I.

[F138 11 Class 2 contributions N.I.

(1) This section applies if an earner is in employment as a self-employed earner in a tax year (the “relevant tax year”).

(2) If the earner has relevant profits of, or exceeding, the small profits threshold, the earner is liable to pay Class 2 contributions for the relevant tax year at the rate of [F139 £3.05] in respect of each week in that year that the earner is in the employment.

(3) “Relevant profits” means profits, from the employment, in respect of which Class 4 contributions are payable under section 15 for the relevant tax year (or would be payable if the amount of the profits were to exceed the amount specified in subsection (3)(a) of that section in excess of which the main Class 4 percentage is payable).

(4) The “small profits threshold” is [F140 £6,475].

(5) Class 2 contributions under subsection (2) are to be payable in the same manner that Class 4 contributions in respect of relevant profits are, or would be, payable (but see section 11A for the application of certain provisions in relation to such Class 2 contributions).

(6) If the earner does not have relevant profits of, or exceeding, the small profits threshold, the earner may pay a Class 2 contribution of [F141 £3.05] in respect of any week in the relevant tax year that the earner is in the employment.

(7) No Class 2 contributions are to be paid under this section in respect of any week in the relevant tax year—

(a) before that in which the earner attains the age of 16, or

(b) after that in which the earner attains pensionable age.

(8) The Treasury may by regulations make provision so that, in relation to an earner, the Class 2 contribution in respect of a week is higher than that specified in subsections (2) and (6) where—

(a) in respect of any employment of the earner, the earner is treated by regulations made under section 2(2)(b) as being a self-employed earner, and

(b) in any period or periods the earner has earnings from that employment and—

(i) those earnings are such that (disregarding their amount) the earner would be liable for Class 1 contributions in respect of them if the earner were not so treated in respect of the employment, and

(ii) no Class 4 contribution is payable in respect of the earnings by virtue of regulations under section 18(1).

(9) The Treasury may by regulations—

(a) modify the meaning of “relevant profits”;

(b) provide that Class 2 contributions under subsection (6) may not be paid—

(i) if the employment or the earner is of a prescribed description, or

(ii) in prescribed circumstances.

(10) Regulations under subsection (9)(a) may amend this section.

(11) Regulations under subsection (9)(b) are to be made with the concurrence of the Department.]

Textual Amendments

F138 Ss. 11, 11A substituted for s. 11 (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 12, 36

F139 Sum in s. 11(2) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 3(a)

F140 Sum in s. 11(4) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 3(b)

F141 Sum in s. 11(6) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 3(a)

[F138 11A Application of certain provisions of the Income Tax Acts in relation to Class 2 contributions under section 11(2) N.I.

(1) The following provisions apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to Class 2 contributions under section 11(2) as if those contributions were income tax chargeable under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 in respect of profits of a trade, profession or vocation which is not carried on wholly outside the United Kingdom—

(a) Part 2 (returns), Part 4 (assessment and claims), Part 5 (appeals), Part 5A (payment of tax), Part 6 (collection and recovery) and Part 10 (penalties) of the Taxes Management Act 1970;

(b) Schedule 24 to the Finance Act 2007 (penalties for errors);

(c) sections 101 and 102 of the Finance Act 2009 (interest);

(d) Schedules 55 and 56 to that Act (penalties for failure to make returns etc or for failure to make payments on time);

(e) Part 4 (follower notices and accelerated payments) and Part 5 (promoters of tax avoidance schemes) of the Finance Act 2014;

[F142 (ea) the provisions of Schedule 18 to the Finance Act 2016 (serial tax avoidance);]

(f) any other provisions of the Income Tax Acts as to assessment, collection, repayment or recovery.

(2) But section 59A of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (payments on account) does not apply in relation to Class 2 contributions under section 11(2).

(3) This section and section 11(5) are subject to any contrary provision in regulations made under Schedule 1 in relation to Class 2 contributions under section 11(2).]

Textual Amendments

F138 Ss. 11, 11A substituted for s. 11 (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 12, 36

F142 S. 11A(1)(ea) inserted (with effect in relation to relevant defeats incurred after 15.9.2016) by Finance Act 2016 (c. 24), Sch. 18 para. 62 (with Sch. 18 para. 63)

12 Late paid Class 2 contributions. N.I.

(1) This section applies to any Class 2 contribution [F143 under section 11(6)] paid in respect of a week falling within a tax year (“the contribution year”) earlier than the tax year in which it is paid (“the payment year”).

(2) Subject to subsections (3) [F144 and (4)] below, the amount of a contribution to which this section applies shall be the amount which the earner would have had to pay if he had paid the contribution in the contribution year.

(3) Subject to subsections [F145 (4) and (6)] below, in any case where—

(a) the earner pays an ordinary contribution to which this section applies after the end of the tax year immediately following the contribution year; and

(b) the weekly rate of ordinary contributions for the week in respect of which the contribution was payable in the contribution year differs from the weekly rate applicable at the time of payment in the payment year,

the amount of the contribution shall be computed by reference to the highest weekly rate of ordinary contributions in the period beginning with the week in respect of which the contribution is paid and ending with the day on which it is paid.

(4) The [F146 Treasury] may by regulations direct that subsection (3) above shall have effect in relation to a higher-rate contribution to which this section applies subject to such modifications as may be prescribed.

F147 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The [F146 Treasury] may by regulations provide that the amount of any contribution which, apart from the regulations, would fall to be computed in accordance with subsection (3) F148 ... above shall instead be computed by reference to a tax year not earlier than the contribution year but earlier—

(a) F149 ... than the payment year; F150 ...

F150 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F151 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) In this section—

• “ordinary contribution” means a contribution [F152 of the amount specified in section 11(6)]; and

• “higher-rate contribution” means a contribution [F153 of an amount provided for in regulations under section 11(8)].

Textual Amendments

F143 Words in s. 12(1) inserted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(2), 36

F144 Words in s. 12(2) substituted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(3), 36

F145 Words in s. 12(3) substituted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(4), 36

F146 Words in s. 12(4)(6) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 14 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F147 S. 12(5) omitted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(5), 36

F148 Words in s. 12(6) omitted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(6)(a), 36

F149 Words in s. 12(6)(a) omitted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(6)(b), 36

F150 S. 12(6)(b) and preceding word omitted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(6)(c), 36

F151 S. 12(7) omitted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by virtue of National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(7), 36

F152 Words in s. 12(8) substituted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(8)(a), 36

F153 Words in s. 12(8) substituted (with effect in relation to a Class 2 contribution in respect of a week in the tax year 2015-16 or a subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 13(8)(b), 36

Class 3 contributions N.I.

13 Class 3 contributions. N.I.

(1) [F154 The Treasury shall by regulations] provide for earners and others, if over the age of 16, to be entitled if they so wish, but subject to any prescribed conditions, to pay Class 3 contributions; and, subject to the following provisions of this section, the amount of a Class 3 contribution shall be [F155 £15.30].

(2) Payment of Class 3 contributions shall be allowed only with a view to enabling the contributor to satisfy F156 ... conditions of entitlement to benefit by acquiring the requisite earnings factor for the purposes described in section 22 below.

(3) [F154 The Department may by regulations] provide for Class 3 contributions, although paid in one tax year, to be appropriated in prescribed circumstances to the earnings factor of another tax year.

(4) The amount of a Class 3 contribution in respect of a tax year earlier than the tax year in which it is paid shall be the same as if it had been paid in the earlier year and in respect of that year, unless it falls to be calculated in accordance with subsection (6) below or regulations under subsection (7) below.

(5) In this section—

• “the payment year” means the tax year in which a contribution is paid; and

• “the contribution year” means the earlier year mentioned in subsection (4) above.

(6) Subject to subsection (7) below, in any case where—

(a) a Class 3 contribution is paid after the end of the next tax year but one following the contribution year; and

(b) the amount of a Class 3 contribution applicable had the contribution been paid in the contribution year differs from the amount of a Class 3 contribution applicable at the time of payment in the payment year,

the amount of the contribution shall be computed by reference to the highest of those two amounts and of any other amount of a Class 3 contribution in the intervening period.

(7) The [F154 Treasury] may by regulations provide that the amount of a contribution which apart from the regulations would fall to be computed in accordance with subsection (6) above shall instead be computed by reference to the amount of a Class 3 contribution for a tax year earlier than the payment year but not earlier than the contribution year.

Textual Amendments

F154 Words in s. 13(1)(3)(7) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 15 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F155 Sum in s. 13(1) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 4

F156 Word in s. 13(2) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 4

[F157 13A Right to pay additional Class 3 contributions in certain cases N.I.

(1) An eligible person is entitled, if he so wishes, but subject to any conditions prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury and to the following provisions of this section, to pay Class 3 contributions in respect of a missing year.

(2) A missing year is a tax year not earlier than 1975-76 in respect of which the person would under regulations under section 13 be entitled to pay Class 3 contributions but for a limit on the time within which contributions may be paid in respect of that year.

(3) A person is not entitled to pay contributions in respect of more than 6 tax years under this section.

(4) A person is not entitled to pay any contribution under this section after the end of 6 years beginning with the day on which he attains pensionable age.

(5) A person is an eligible person if the following conditions are satisfied.

(6) The first condition is that the person attained or will attain pensionable age in the period—

(a) beginning with 6th April 2008, and

(b) ending with 5th April 2015.

(7) The second condition is that there are at least 20 tax years each of which is a year to which subsection (8) or (10) applies.

(8) This subsection applies if—

(a) the year is one in respect of which the person has paid or been credited with contributions that are of a relevant class for the purposes of paragraph 5 or 5A of Schedule 3 or been credited (in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year) with earnings, and

(b) in the case of that year, the earnings factor derived as mentioned in subsection (9) is not less than the qualifying earnings factor for that year.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8)(b) the earnings factor—

(a) in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year, is that which is derived from—

(i) so much of the person's earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and upon which such of the contributions mentioned in subsection (8)(a) as are primary Class 1 contributions were paid or treated as paid or earnings credited, and

(ii) any Class 2 or Class 3 contributions for the year, or

(b) in the case of any earlier year, is that which is derived from the contributions mentioned in subsection (8)(a).

(10) This subsection applies (in the case of a person who attained or will attain pensionable age before 6th April 2010) if the year is one in which the person was precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home within the meaning of regulations under paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 3.

(11) The third condition applies only if the person attained or will attain pensionable age before 6th April 2010.

(12) That condition is that—

(a) the person has, in respect of any one tax year before that in which he attains pensionable age, actually paid contributions that are of a relevant class for the purposes of paragraph 5 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in the case of that year, the earnings factor derived as mentioned in subsection (13) is not less than the qualifying earnings factor for that year.

(13) For the purposes of subsection (12)(b) the earnings factor—

(a) in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year, is that which is derived from—

(i) so much of the person's earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and upon which such of the contributions mentioned in subsection (12)(a) as are primary Class 1 contributions were paid or treated as paid, and

(ii) any Class 2 or Class 3 contributions for the year, or

(b) in the case of any earlier year, is that which is derived from the contributions mentioned in subsection (12)(a).]

Textual Amendments

F157 S. 13A inserted (6.4.2009) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 136(2), 149(4)

14 Restriction on right to pay Class 3 contributions. N.I.

(1) No person shall be entitled to pay a Class 3 contribution in respect of any tax year if his earnings factor, or the aggregate of his earnings factors, for that year derived—

(a) in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent year, from earnings upon which Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid or from Class 2 contributions actually paid; or

(b) in the case of any earlier year, from contributions actually paid,

is equal to or exceeds the qualifying earnings factor for that year; and regulations may provide for precluding the payment of Class 3 contributions in other cases.

(2) Regulations may provide for the repayment of Class 3 contributions that have been paid in cases where their payment was precluded by, or by regulations made under, subsection (1) above.

(3) Contributions repayable by virtue of regulations under subsection (2) above shall, for the purpose of determining the contributor’s entitlement to any benefit, be treated as not having been paid (but nothing in this subsection shall be taken to imply that any other repayable contributions are to be treated for the purposes of benefit as having been paid).

[F158 (4) Where primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid on any part of a person’s earnings, subsection (1)(a) above shall have effect as if such contributions had been paid or treated as paid on so much of those earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit.]

[F159 (5) Regulations under subsection (1) or (2) above shall be made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F158 S. 14(4) added (6.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 41; S.R. 1999/72, art. 2(b), Sch.

F159 S. 14(5) added (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 16 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

[F160 Class 3A contributions N.I.

Textual Amendments

F160 Ss. 14A-14C and cross-heading inserted (1.10.2014 for specified purposes, 12.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 17; S.I. 2014/2377, art. 2(1)(a)(ii)(3)(d)(iii); S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

14A Class 3A contributions in return for units of additional pension N.I.

[F161 (1) An eligible person is entitled to pay a Class 3A contribution before the cut-off date, in return for a unit of additional pension.]

[F161 (1A) The cut-off date is—

(a) 5th April 2017, or

(b) if later the end of the 30-day period beginning with the day on which the person is sent information about Class 3A contributions by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in response to a request made before 6th April 2017.]

(2) A person is eligible to pay a Class 3A contribution if the person—

(a) is entitled to a Category A, Category B or Category D retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit, or

(b) has deferred entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit.

(3) The amount of a Class 3A contribution needed to obtain a unit of additional pension is to be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Treasury.

(4) Before making those regulations the Treasury must consult the Government Actuary or the Deputy Government Actuary.

(5) A person—

(a) may pay Class 3A contributions on more than one occasion, but

(b) may not obtain more than the maximum number of units of additional pension.

(6) The maximum number of units of additional pension that a person may obtain is to be specified by the Treasury in regulations.

(7) In this section “deferred”, in relation to graduated retirement benefit, has the meaning given by section 35(4A) of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.

(8) For the meaning of “deferred” in relation to a Category A or Category B retirement pension, see section 55(3) of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F161 S. 14A(1)(1A) substituted for s. 14A(1) (12.10.2015 for E.W.S. and coming into force for N.I in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security Class 3A Contributions (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2746), regs. 1(2)(3), 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 14A(2) modified (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 18; S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

14B Class 3A contributions: repayment N.I.

(1) The Treasury may by regulations provide for a Class 3A contribution to be repaid in specified circumstances.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision about applications for repayments and other procedural matters.

(3) A person is to be treated as never having had a unit of additional pension if the Class 3A contribution paid in respect of it is repaid.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may provide for benefits paid to a person because of the unit of additional pension to be recovered by deducting them from the repayment.

14C Class 3A contributions: power to change eligibility or remove the option to pay N.I.

(1) The Treasury may by regulations change who is eligible to pay Class 3A contributions.

(2) The Treasury may by regulations remove the option for people to pay Class 3A contributions.

(3) Regulations under this section may, in particular, amend an Act.]

Class 4 contributions N.I.

15 Class 4 contributions recoverable under the Income Tax Acts. N.I.

(1) Class 4 contributions shall be payable for any tax year in respect of all [F162 profits] which—

(a) are immediately derived from the carrying on or exercise of one or more trades, professions or vocations, F163 ...

(b) [F164 are profits chargeable to income tax under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005] for the year of assessment corresponding to that tax year [F165 and

(c) are not profits of a trade, profession or vocation carried on wholly outside the United Kingdom].

(2) Class 4 contributions in respect of profits F166 ... shall be payable—

(a) in the same manner as any income tax which is, or would be, chargeable in respect of those profits F166 ... (whether or not income tax in fact falls to be paid), and

(b) by the person on whom the income tax is (or would be) charged,

in accordance with assessments made from time to time under the Income Tax Acts as applied and modified by section 16(1) to (3) of the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act.

[F167 (3) The amount of a Class 4 contribution under this section for any tax year is equal to the aggregate of—

(a) the main Class 4 percentage of so much of the profits F168 ... referred to in subsection (1) above (computed in accordance with Schedule 2 to the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act, the text of which is set out as Schedule 2 to this Act) as exceeds [F169 £9,500] but does not exceed [F170 £50,000]; and

(b) the additional Class 4 percentage of so much of those profits F168 ... as exceeds [F170 £50,000];

but the figures specified in this subsection are subject to alteration under section 129 of the Administration Act.

(3ZA) For the purposes of this Act—

(a) the main Class 4 percentage is [F171 9] per cent; and

(b) the additional Class 4 percentage is [F172 2] per cent;

but the main Class 4 percentage is subject to alteration under section 129 of the Administration Act.]

[F173 (3A) Where income tax is (or would be) charged on a member of a limited liability partnership in respect of profits F174 ... arising from the carrying on of a trade or profession by the limited liability partnership, Class 4 contributions shall be payable by him if they would be payable were the trade or profession carried on in partnership by the members.]

F175 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) For the purposes of this section the year of assessment which corresponds to a tax year is the year of assessment (within the meaning of the Tax Acts) which consists of the same period as that tax year.

Textual Amendments

F162 Word in s. 15(1) substituted (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(2)(a) (with Sch. 2)

F163 Word in s. 15(1) repealed (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(2)(b), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

F164 Words in s. 15(1)(b) substituted (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(2)(c) (with Sch. 2)

F165 S. 15(1)(c) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(2)(d) (with Sch. 2)

F166 Words in s. 15(2) repealed (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(3), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

F167 S. 15(3)(3ZA) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) for s. 15(3) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 3(2), 8(2)

F168 Words in s. 15(3) repealed (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(3), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

F169 Sum in s. 15(3)(a) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 5

F170 Sums in s. 15(3) substituted (6.4.2019) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/262), regs. 1, 5

F171 Figure in s. 15(3ZA)(a) substituted (6.4.2011) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 2(1)(a), 13(1)

F172 Figure in s. 15(3ZA)(b) substituted (6.4.2011) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 2(1)(b), 13(1)

F173 S. 15(3A) inserted (6.4.2001) by 2000 c. 12, s. 13; S.I. 2000/3316, art. 2

F174 Words in s. 15(3A) repealed (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(3), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

F175 S. 15(4) repealed (6.4.2005) by Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5), s. 883(1), Sch. 1 para. 424(4), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

16 Destination of Class 4 contributions. N.I.

F176 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F176 S. 16 repealed (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 7, 8(2), Sch. 2

17 Exceptions, deferment and incidental matters relating to Class 4 contributions. N.I.

(1) [F177 The Inland Revenue may by regulations] provide—

(a) for excepting persons from liability to pay Class 4 contributions [F178 , or any prescribed part of such contributions,] in accordance with section 15(1) to (3) above and section 16(1) to (3) of the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act; or

(b) for deferring any person’s liability,

F179 . . .

(2) Exception from liability, or deferment, under subsection (1) above may, in particular, be by reference—

(a) to a person otherwise liable for contributions being under a prescribed age at the beginning of a tax year;

(b) to a person having attained pensionable age;

(c) to a person being in receipt of earnings in respect of which primary Class 1 contributions are, or may be, payable; or

(d) to a person not satisfying prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in the United Kingdom.

(3) [F177 The Inland Revenue may by regulations] provide for any incidental matters arising out of the payment of any Class 4 contributions recovered by the Inland Revenue, including in particular the return, in whole or in part, of such contributions in cases where—

(a) payment has been made in error; or

(b) repayment ought for any other reason to be made.

(4) [F177 The Inland Revenue may by regulations] provide for any matters arising out of the deferment of liability [F180 to pay Class 4 contributions, or any part of such contributions,] under subsection (1) above, including in particular provision for the amount of a person’s profits or gains (as computed in accordance with the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act) to be certified by the Inland Revenue to F181 . . . the person liable.

(5) F182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F183 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F177 Words in s. 17(1)(3)(4) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(2)(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F178 Words in s. 17(1) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 23(2)

F179 Words in s. 17(1) repealed (omitted 24.3.1999 for specified purposes only and wholly repealed 1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F180 Words in s. 17(4) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 23(3)

F181 Words in s. 17(4) repealed (omitted 24.3.1999 for specified purposes only and wholly repealed 1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F182 S. 17(5) repealed (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 7, 8(2), Sch. 2

F183 S. 17(6) repealed (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 4, 24(3), Sch. 3 para. 17(4), Sch. 9 Pt. I (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

18 Class 4 contributions recoverable under regulations. N.I.

(1) [F184 The Inland Revenue may by regulations make provision] so that where—

(a) an earner, in respect of any one or more employments of his, is treated by regulations under section 2(2)(b) above as being self-employed; and

(b) in any tax year he has earnings from any such employment (one or more) which fall within paragraph (b)(i) of [F185 subsection (8)] of section 11 above but is not liable for a higher weekly rate of Class 2 contributions by virtue of regulations under that subsection; and

(c) the total of those earnings exceeds [F186 £9,500],

he is to be liable, in respect of those earnings, to pay a Class 4 contribution F187 ... .

[F188 (1A) The amount of a Class 4 contribution payable by virtue of regulations under this section is equal to the aggregate of—

(a) the main Class 4 percentage of so much of the total of the earnings referred to in subsection (1)(b) above as exceeds [F189 £9,500] but does not exceed [F190 £50,000]; and

(b) the additional Class 4 percentage of so much of that total as exceeds [F190 £50,000];

but the figures specified in this subsection are subject to alteration under section 129 of the Administration Act.]

(2) [F191 In relation to Class 4 contributions payable by virtue of regulations under this section], [F184 regulations made by the Inland Revenue may]—

(a) apply any of the provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act (except a provision conferring power to make regulations); and

(b) make any such provision as may be made by regulations under that Schedule, except paragraph 6 [F192 or 7BZA].

Textual Amendments

F184 Words in s. 18(1)(2) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 18 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F185 Words in s. 18(1)(b) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 14, 35

F186 Sum in s. 18(1)(c) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 5

F187 Words in s. 18(1) repealed (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 7, 8(2), Sch. 2

F188 S. 18(1A) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 3(4), 8(2)

F189 Sum in s. 18(1A)(a) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/299), regs. 1, 5

F190 Sums in s. 18(1A) substituted (6.4.2019) by The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/262), regs. 1, 5

F191 Words in s. 18(2) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 8 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F192 Words in s. 18(2)(b) inserted (1.9.2004) by National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Act 2004 (c. 3), s. 13, Sch. 1 para. 2(3); S.I. 2004/1943, art. 5(a)(ii)

[F193 18A Class 4 contributions: partnerships N.I.

(1) The Treasury may by regulations—

(a) modify the way in which liabilities for Class 4 contributions of a partner in a firm are determined, or

(b) otherwise modify the law relating to Class 4 contributions,

as they consider appropriate to take account of the passing or making of a provision of the Income Tax Acts relating to firms or partners in firms.

(2) “Firm” has the same meaning as in the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (and includes a limited liability partnership in relation to which section 863(1) of that Act applies); and “partner” is to be read accordingly and includes a former partner.

(3) Regulations under this section may have retrospective effect; but they may not have effect before the beginning of the tax year in which they are made.]

Textual Amendments

F193 S. 18A inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 13(5)(7)

General N.I.

19 General power to regulate liability for contributions. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide either generally or in relation to—

(a) any prescribed category of earners; or

(b) earners in any prescribed category of employments,

that their liability in a particular tax year in respect of contributions of prescribed classes [F194 , or any prescribed part of such contributions,] is not to exceed such maximum amount or amounts as may be prescribed.

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) above may provide—

(a) for an earner whose liability is subject to a maximum prescribed under that subsection to be liable in the first instance for the full amount of any contributions due from him apart from the regulations, or to be relieved from liability for such contributions in prescribed circumstances and to the prescribed extent; and

(b) for contributions paid in excess of any such maximum to be repaid at such times, and in accordance with such conditions, as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations may provide, in relation to earners otherwise liable for contributions of any class [F195 or any part of such contributions] , for excepting them from the liability for such periods, and in such circumstances, as may be prescribed.

(4) As respects any woman who was married or a widow on 6th April 1977 (the date of the coming into force of the repeal of the old provisions that primary Class 1 contributions might be paid at a reduced rate and Class 2 contributions need not be paid by a married woman or a widow) regulations shall provide—

(a) for enabling her to elect that [F196 so much of her liability in respect of primary Class 1 contributions as is attributable to section 8(1)(a) above] shall be a liability to contribute at such reduced rate as may be prescribed; and

(b) either for enabling her to elect that her liability in respect of Class 2 contributions shall be a liability to contribute at such reduced rate as may be prescribed or for enabling her to elect that she shall be under no liability to pay such contributions; and

(c) for enabling her to revoke any such election.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) above may—

(a) provide for the making or revocation of any election under the regulations to be subject to prescribed exceptions and conditions;

(b) preclude a person who has made such an election from paying Class 3 contributions while the election has effect;

(c) provide for treating an election made or revoked for the purpose of any provision of the regulations as made or revoked also for the purpose of any other provision of the regulations;

(d) provide for treating an election made in accordance with regulations under section 125(2) of the 1975 Act as made for the purpose of regulations under subsection (4) above.

[F197 (5A) Regulations under any of subsections (1) to (5) above shall be made by the Treasury.]

(6) [F198 The Department may by regulations] provide for earnings factors to be derived, for such purposes as may be prescribed, as follows, that is to say—

(a) in the case of earnings factors for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year—

(i) from earnings upon which primary Class 1 contributions are paid at a reduced rate by virtue of regulations under subsection (4) above; or

(ii) from Class 2 contributions paid at a reduced rate by virtue of such regulations; and

(b) in the case of earnings factors for any earlier tax year, from contributions which are paid at a reduced rate by virtue of regulations under subsection (4) above;

and if provision is made for a person to have earnings factors so derived for the purpose of establishing entitlement to any benefit, the regulations may, in relation to that person, vary or add to the requirements for entitlement to that benefit.

Textual Amendments

F194 Words in s. 19(1) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(2)

F195 Words in s. 19(3) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(3)

F196 Words in s. 19(4)(a) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(4)

F197 S. 19(5A) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 19(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F198 Words in s. 19(6) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 19(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

[F199 19A Class 1, 1A or 1B contributions paid in error. N.I.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) payments by way of Class 1, Class 1A or Class 1B contributions are made in respect of earnings paid to or for the benefit of an earner (or in respect of a benefit made available to an earner) in 1998-99 or a subsequent tax year (“year 1”);

(b) the payments are made in error, in that the employment from which the earnings are derived (or by reason of which the benefit is made available) is not employed earner’s employment; and

(c) the person making the payments has not been notified of the error by the [F200 Inland Revenue] before the end of the tax year following year 1 (“year 2”).

(2) After the end of year 2 the earner shall, except in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be treated for all purposes relating to—

(a) contributions and contributory benefits; and

(b) statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay,

as if the earnings were derived from (or the benefit were made available by reason of) employed earner’s employment.

[F201 (3) Regulations under subsection (2) above shall be made by the Treasury.]]

Textual Amendments

F199 S. 19A inserted (10.3.1999 for specified purposes and 6.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 51; S.R. 1999/102, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F200 Words in s. 19A(1)(c) substituted (26.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 24(2), Sch. 8 para. 2 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(b)(c), Schs. 1, 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F201 S. 19A(3) added (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 20 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

[F202 19B Extended meaning of benefit” etc. in Part 1 N.I.

In this Part references to “benefit” or “contributory benefit” include benefit under Part 1 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.]

Textual Amendments

F202 S. 19B inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 5

Part II N.I. Contributory Benefits

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 Pt. II (ss. 20-62) excluded (13.1.1993) by S.R. 1979/242, reg. 4(1) (as substituted (13.1.1993) by S.R. 1992/557, reg. 3).

C9 Pt. II (ss. 20-62): power to apply conferred (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 161, 168(4), Sch. 6 para. 1(3)(a).

C10 Pt. II: power to amend or modify conferred (1.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 49(2)(3)

C11 Pt. II modified (temp. from 1.12.1999 to 5.10.2002) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 49(7)(a) (the temp. modification lapsing on the coming into operation of S.R. 2001/441, which modifies specified provisions of Pt. II, on 6.10.2002)

Preliminary N.I.

20 Descriptions of contributory benefits. N.I.

(1) Contributory benefits under this Part of this Act are of the following descriptions, namely—

F203 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F204 (b) incapacity benefit, comprising—

(i) short-term incapacity benefit; and

(ii) long-term incapacity benefit;]

(d) maternity allowance F205 ... ;

(e) widow’s benefit, comprising—

F206 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(ii) widowed mother’s allowanceF207 ...;

(iii) widow’s pension;

[F208 (ea) widowed parent's allowance;]

(f) retirement pensions of the following categories—

(i) Category A, payable to a person by virtue of his own contributions (with increase for adult F209 ... dependants); and

[F210 (ii) Category B, payable to a person by virtue of the contributions of a spouse [F211 or civil partner] F207 ... ;]

[F212 (fa) shared additional pensions;]

(g) for existing beneficiaries only, child’s special allowance.

(2) In this Act—

• “long-term benefit” means—

  (a)

  [F213 long-term incapacity benefit;]

  (b)

  a widowed mother’s allowance;

  (ba)

  [F214 a widowed parent’s allowance;]

  (bb)

  F215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (c)

  a widow’s pension; and

  (d)

  a Category A or Category B retirement pension; and

  (e)

  [F216 a shared additional pension;]

• “short-term benefit” means—

  (a)

  F217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (b)

  [F218 short-term incapacity benefit; and]

  (c)

  maternity allowance.

(3) The provisions of this Part of this Act are subject to the provisions of [F219 Chapter II of Part III of the Pensions Act [F220 (reduction in benefits for members of schemes that were contracted-out)]].

Textual Amendments

F203 S. 20(1)(a) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F204 S. 20(1)(b) substituted for s. 20(1)(b)(c) (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(2); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F205 Words in s. 20(1)(d) repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 36(1)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

F206 S. 20(1)(e)(i) repealed (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 67, 76, Sch. 8 para. 2(2)(a), Sch. 10 Pt. V; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F207 Words in s. 20(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F208 S. 20(1)(ea) substituted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 3(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F209 Words in s. 20(1)(f)(i) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F210 S. 20(1)(f)(ii) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(1)

F211 Words in s. 20(1)(f)(ii) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 67; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F212 S. 20(1)(fa) inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 5(2); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F213 S. 20(2): para. (a) in definition of “long-term benefit”substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(3)(a); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F214 S. 20(2): paras. (ba)(bb) in definition of “long-term benefit”inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147(N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 2(3); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F215 Words in s. 20(2) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 3(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F216 S. 20(2): para. (e) in definition of “long-term benefit”inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 5(3); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F217 Words in definition in s. 20(2) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F218 S. 20(2): para. (b) in definition substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2(3)(b); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F219 Words in s. 20(3) substituted (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 30; S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

F220 Words in s. 20(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 13 para. 52

21 Contribution conditions. N.I.

(1) Entitlement to any benefit specified in section 20(1) above, [F221 other than [F222 short-term incapacity benefit under subsection (1)(b) of section 30A below,] long-term incapacity benefit under section [F223 subsection (5) of that section][F224 , maternity allowance under section 35 [F225 or 35B] below] or short-term or long-term incapacity benefit under section 40 or 41 below][F226 or a shared additional pension under section 55A [F227 or 55AA] below], depends on contribution conditions being satisfied (either by the claimant or by some other person, according to the particular benefit).

(2) The class or classes of contribution which, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, are relevant in relation to each of those benefits are as follows—

Short-term benefit
F228 . . .	F228 . . .
[F229 Short-term incapacity benefit under section [F230 30A(1)(a)] below]	Class 1 or 2
[F231 Maternity allowance]	[F231 Class 1 or 2]
Other benefits
F232 . . .	F232 . . .
Widowed mother’s allowance	Class 1, 2 or 3
[F233 Widowed parent’s allowance	Class 1, 2 or 3]
F232 . . .	F232 . . .
Widow’s pension	Class 1, 2 or 3
Category A retirement pension	Class 1, 2 or 3
Category B retirement pension	Class 1, 2 or 3
Child’s special allowance	Class 1, 2 or 3

(3) The relevant contribution conditions in relation to the benefits specified in subsection (2) above are those specified in Part I of Schedule 3 to this Act.

F234 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In subsection (4) above and Schedule 3 to this Act—

(a) “the contributor concerned”, for the purposes of any contribution condition, means the person by whom the condition is to be satisfied;

(b) “a relevant class”, in relation to any benefit, means a class of contributions specified in relation to that benefit in subsection (2) above;

(c) “the earnings factor”—

(i) where the year in question is 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, means, in relation to a person, the aggregate of his earnings factors derived from [F235 so much of his earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid and from his Class 2 and Class 3 contributions; and

(ii) where the year in question is any earlier tax year, means, in relation to a person’s contributions of any class or classes, the aggregate of his earnings factors derived from all those contributions;

(d) except in the expression “benefit year”, “year” means a tax year.

[F236 (5A) Where primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid on any part of a person’s earnings, the following provisions, namely—

(a) subsection (5)(c) above;

(b) sections 22(1)(a) [F237 , (2A)] and (3)(a), 23(3)(a), 24(2)(a), [F238 44(6)(za) and (a)] F239 ... below; and

(c) paragraphs 2(4)(a) and (5)(a), 4(2)(a), 5(2)(b) and (4)(a) [F240 , 5A(3)(a)] and 7(4)(a) of Schedule 3 to this Act,

shall have effect as if such contributions had been paid or treated as paid on so much of the earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit.]

(6) In this Part of this Act “benefit year” means a period—

(a) beginning with the first Sunday in January in any calendar year, and

(b) ending with the Saturday immediately preceding the first Sunday in January in the following calendar year;

but for any prescribed purposes of this Part of this Act “benefit year” may by regulations be made to mean such other period (whether or not a period of 12 months) as may be specified in the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F221 Words in s. 21(1) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 3(2); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F222 Words in s. 21(1) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5)

F223 S. 21(1): By S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5) it is provided that, for the words "30A below", there are substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) the words "subsection (5) of that section"

F224 Words in s. 21(1) inserted (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 29(2); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)

F225 Words in s. 21(1) inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

F226 Words in s. 21(1) inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 6; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F227 Words in s. 21(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 2

F228 Entry in s. 21(2) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F229 Words in s. 21(2) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 3(3); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F230 Words in s. 21(2) substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 20(b); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(e)(4)(5)

F231 Entry in s. 21(2) repealed (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 67, 76, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 29(3), Sch. 10 Pt. V; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)(c)(i)

F232 Words in s. 21(2) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 4(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F233 Entries in s. 21(2) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 3(2)(b); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F234 S. 21(4) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 4(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F235 Words in s. 21(5)(c)(i) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 25

F236 S. 21(5A) inserted (6.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 42; S.R. 1999/72, art. 2(b), Sch.

F237 Words in s. 21(5A)(b) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(2)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F238 Words in s. 21(5A)(b) substituted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(2)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F239 Words in s. 21(5A)(b) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F240 Word in s. 21(5A)(c) inserted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 2 (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(ii)

22 Earnings factors. N.I.

(1) A person shall, for the purposes specified in subsection (2) below, be treated as having annual earnings factors derived—

(a) in the case of 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, from [F241 so much of his earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid and from Class 2 and Class 3 contributions; and

(b) in the case of any earlier tax year, from his contributions of any of Classes 1, 2 and 3;

but subject to the following provisions of this section and those of section 23 below.

(2) The purposes referred to in subsection (1) above are those of—

(a) establishing, by reference to the satisfaction of contribution conditions, entitlement to [F242 a contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance [F243 , to a contributory employment and support allowance] or to] any benefit specified in section 20(1) above, other than maternity allowance; F244 ...

(b) calculating the additional pension in the rate of a long-term benefit [F245 ; and

(c) establishing entitlement to a state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 and, where relevant, calculating the rate of a state pension under that Part]; [F246 and

(d) establishing entitlement to bereavement support payment under section 29 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015].

[F247 (2A) For the purpose specified in subsection (2)(b) above, in the case of the first appointed year or any subsequent tax year a person’s earnings factor shall be treated as derived only from [F241 so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F248 the applicable limit] and] on which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid.

[F249 This subsection does not affect the operation of sections 44A and 44B below (deemed earnings factors).]]

[F250 (2B) “The applicable limit” means—

(a) in relation to a tax year before [F251 2009–10], the upper earnings limit;

(b) in relation to [F251 2009–10] or any subsequent tax year, the upper accrual point.]

(3) Separate earnings factors may be derived for 1987-88 and subsequent tax years—

(a) from earnings [F252 not exceeding the upper earnings limit] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid;

(b) from earnings which have been credited;

(c) from contributions of different classes paid or credited in the same tax year;

(d) by any combination of the methods mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above,

and may be derived for any earlier tax year from contributions of different classes paid or credited in the same tax year, and from contributions which have actually been paid, as opposed to those not paid but credited.

(4) Subject to regulations under section 19(4) to (6) above, no earnings factor shall be derived—

(a) for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, from earnings [F253 in respect of which] primary Class 1 contributions are paid at the reduced rate, or

(b) for any earlier tax year, from primary Class 1 contributions paid at the reduced rate or from secondary Class 1 contributions.

(5) Regulations may provide for crediting—

(a) for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, earnings or Class 2 or Class 3 contributions, or

(b) for any earlier tax year, contributions of any class,

for the purpose of bringing a person’s earnings factor for that tax year to a figure which will enable him to satisfy contribution conditions of entitlement to [F242 a contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance [F254 , to a contributory employment and support allowance] or to] any prescribed description of benefit (whether his own entitlement or another person’s).

[F255 (5ZA) Regulations may provide for crediting—

(a) for 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year, earnings or Class 2 or Class 3 contributions, or

(b) for any earlier tax year, contributions of any class,

for the purposes of bringing an earnings factor for that tax year to a figure which will make that year a “qualifying year”, “pre-commencement qualifying year” or “post-commencement qualifying year” of a person for the purposes of Part 1 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (see sections 2(4) and 4(4) of that Act).

(5ZB) Regulations under subsection (5ZA) must provide for crediting a person with such contributions as may be specified in respect of periods on or after 6 April 1975 during which the person was—

(a) a spouse or civil partner of a member of Her Majesty's forces,

(b) accompanying the member on an assignment outside the United Kingdom, and

(c) not of a description specified in the regulations.]

[F256 (5A) Section 23A below makes provision for the crediting of Class 3 contributions for the purpose of determining entitlement to the benefits to which that section applies.]

(6) Regulations may impose limits with respect to the earnings factors which a person may have or be treated as having in respect of any one tax year.

(7) The M2 power to amend regulations made before 30th March 1977 (the making of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977) under subsection (5) above may be so exercised as to restrict the circumstances in which and the purposes for which a person is entitled to credits in respect of weeks before the coming into force of the amending regulations; but not so as to affect any benefit for a period before the coming into force of the amending regulations if it was claimed before 18th March 1977.

[F257 (8) In this section, “contributory employment and support allowance” means a contributory allowance under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (employment and support allowance).]

[F258 (9) References in this Act or any other statutory provision to earnings factors derived from so much of a person's earnings as do not exceed the upper accrual point or the upper earnings limit are to be read, in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly, as references to earnings factors derived from so much of those earnings as do not exceed the prescribed equivalent.]

Textual Amendments

F241 Words in s. 22(1)(a)(2A) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(2)

F242 Words in s. 22(2)(a)(5) inserted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F243 Words in s. 22(2)(a) inserted (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(3)(a); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F244 Word in s. 22(2)(a) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 6(2)(a)

F245 S. 22(2)(c) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 6(2)(b)

F246 S. 22(2)(d) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 5; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F247 S. 22(2A) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(1); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F248 Words in s. 22(2A) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 10(1)(a)

F249 Words in s. 22(2A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 30

F250 S. 22(2B) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 10(1)(b)

F251 Word in s. 22(2B) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(2), 118(2) (with s. 73)

F252 Words in s. 22(3)(a) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 26(3)

F253 Words in s. 22(4)(a) substituted (6.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 43; S.R. 1999/72, art. 2(b), Sch.

F254 Words in s. 22(5) inserted (1.7.2008 for specified purposes, 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(3)(b); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 1

F255 S. 22(5ZA)-(5ZB) inserted (25.2.2016 for specified purposes, 6.4.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 6(3); S.R. 2016/68, art. 2(f)

F256 S. 22(5A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 9

F257 S. 22(8) added (1.7.2008 for specified purposes, 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(4); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 1

F258 S. 22(9) added (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 2 (with s. 73)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 S. 22 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

C13 S. 22(4) modified (1.6.2007) by The Transfer of State Pensions and Benefits Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/286), regs. 1(1), 8(1)

C14 S. 22(5)(a) modified (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 73(a)a)

Marginal Citations

M2 S.I. 1977/610 (N.I. 11).

23 Provisions supplemental to ss. 21 and 22. N.I.

(1) Earnings factors derived as mentioned in section [F259 22(1)] above, including earnings factors as increased by any order under section 130 of the Administration Act—

(a) shall be expressed, subject to subsection (2) below, as whole numbers of pounds; and

(b) shall be made ascertainable from tables or rules to be drawn up by the Department and embodied in regulations.

(2) Subsection (1) above does not require earnings factors in respect of the tax year 1978-79 or any subsequent tax year which have been revalued for the purpose of calculating guaranteed minimum pensions under the Pensions Order [F260 or the Pensions Act] to be expressed as whole numbers of pounds.

(3) The tables and rules referred to in subsection (1) above shall be drawn up so that, in general—

(a) in respect of the tax year 1987-88 and any subsequent tax year, the amount of earnings [F261 not exceeding the upper earnings limit] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid gives rise, subject to [F262 subsections (3A) and] (4) below, to an earnings factor for that year equal or approximating to the amount of those earnings; and

(b) any number of Class 2 or Class 3 contributions in respect of a tax year gives rise to an earnings factor for that tax year equal or approximating to that year’s lower earnings limit for Class 1 contributions multiplied by the number of contributions.

[F263 (3A) For the purposes specified in section 22(2)(b) (additional pension), subsection (3)(a) has effect in relation to 2009–10 and subsequent tax years as if the reference to the upper earnings limit were to the upper accrual point.]

(4) The Department may by regulations make such modifications of subsection (3)(a) above as appear to the Department to be appropriate in consequence of section 8(2) above.

Textual Amendments

F259 Words in s. 23(1) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 131(2)

F260 Words in s. 23(2) inserted (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 31; S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

F261 Words in s. 23(3)(a) inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 27

F262 Words in s. 23(3)(a) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 3(2) (with s. 73)

F263 S. 23(3A) inserted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 3(3) (with s. 73)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 23 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

[F264 23A Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers N.I.

(1) This section applies to the following benefits—

(a) a Category A retirement pension in a case where the contributor concerned attains pensionable age on or after 6th April 2010,

(b) a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48A [F265 or 48AA] below in a case where the contributor concerned attains pensionable age on or after that date,

(c) a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48B below in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date without having attained pensionable age before that date,

(d) a widowed parent's allowance payable in a case where the contributor concerned dies on or after that date,

F266 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The contributor concerned in the case of a benefit to which this section applies shall be credited with a Class 3 contribution for each week falling after 6th April 2010 in respect of which the contributor was a relevant carer.

(3) A person is a relevant carer in respect of a week if the person—

(a) is awarded child benefit for any part of that week in respect of a child under the age of 12,

(b) is a foster parent for any part of that week, or

(c) is engaged in caring, within the meaning given by regulations, in that week.

(4) Regulations may make provision for a person's entitlement to be credited with Class 3 contributions by virtue of falling within subsection (3)(b) or (c) above to be conditional on the person—

(a) applying to be so credited in accordance with the prescribed requirements, and

(b) complying with the prescribed requirements as to the provision of information to the Department [F267 or to the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs].

(5) The contributor concerned in the case of a benefit to which this section applies shall be credited with 52 Class 3 contributions for each tax year ending before 6th April 2010 in which the contributor was precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home within the meaning of regulations under paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 3 to this Act.

(6) But the maximum number of tax years for which a person can be credited with contributions under subsection (5) above is—

(a) in the case of a benefit mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c) above, 22;

(b) in the case of a benefit mentioned in subsection (1)(d) F268 ... above, half the requisite number of years of the person's working life.

(7) The table in paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 3 to this Act (requisite number of years of a working life of given duration) applies for the purposes of subsection (6)(b) above as it applies for the purposes of the second condition set out in paragraph 5(3) of that Schedule.

(8) For the purpose of determining entitlement to a benefit to which this section applies, a week that falls partly in one tax year and partly in another is to be treated as falling in the year in which it begins and not in the following year.

[F269 (8A) Where this section, or regulations made under it, have the effect that the contributor concerned is credited, on or after 6th April 2016, with contributions for a tax year starting before that date, the contributions are to be treated for the purposes of calculating the rate under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 as having been credited before 6th April 2016.]

(9) In this section—

• “the contributor concerned” has the meaning given in section 21(5)(a) above;

• “foster parent” has the meaning given by regulations.]

Textual Amendments

F264 S. 23A inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 3(1)

F265 Words in s. 23A(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 50

F266 S. 23A(1)(e) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 6(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F267 Words in s. 23A(4)(b) inserted (6.4.2010) by The National Insurance Contribution Credits (Transfer of Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/242), arts. 1(1), 5

F268 Words in s. 23A(6)(b) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 6(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F269 S. 23A(8A) inserted (6.4.2016) by The Pensions (2015 Act) (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/78), arts. 1, 2(2)

24 Records of earnings and calculation of earnings factors in absence of records. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide for requiring persons to maintain, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, records of such earnings paid by them as are relevant for the purpose of calculating earnings factors, and to retain such records for so long as may be prescribed.

(2) Where the Department is satisfied that records of earnings relevant for the purpose of calculating a person’s earnings factors for the tax year 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year have not been maintained or retained or are otherwise unobtainable, then, for the purpose of determining those earnings factors, the Department may—

(a) compute, in such manner as it thinks fit, an amount which shall be regarded as the amount of [F270 so much of that person’s earnings as did not exceed the upper earnings limit and] on which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid; or

(b) take the amount of those earnings to be such sum as it may specify in the particular case.

Textual Amendments

F270 Words in s. 24(2)(a) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 28

Unemployment benefit N.I.

F271 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F271 S. 25 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F272 25A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F272 S. 25A repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F273 25B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F273 S. 25B repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F274 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F274 S. 26 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F275 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F275 S. 27 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F276 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F276 S. 28 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F277 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F277 S. 29 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F278 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F278 S. 30 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

[F279 Incapacity benefit] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F279 S. 30A and preceding cross-heading inserted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 3(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

[F280 30A Incapacity benefit: entitlement. N.I.

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, a person who satisfies

[F281 (a) either of the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) below; or

(b) if he satisfies neither of those conditions, each of the conditions mentioned in subsection (2A) below,]

is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit in respect of any day of incapacity for work [F282 (“the relevant day”)] which forms part of a period of incapacity for work.

(2) The conditions [F283 mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above] are that—

(a) he is under pensionable age on [F284 the relevant day] and satisfies the contribution conditions specified for short-term incapacity benefit in Schedule 3, paragraph 2; or

(b) on that day he is over pensionable age but not more than 5 years over that age, the period of incapacity for work began before he attained pensionable age, and—

(i) he would be entitled to a Category A retirement pension if his entitlement had not been deferred or if he had not made an election under section 54(1) below; or

(ii) he would be entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his deceased spouse [F285 or deceased civil partner], but for any such deferment or election.

[F286 (2A) The conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above are that—

(a) he is aged 16 or over on the relevant day;

(b) he is under the age of 20 or, in prescribed cases, 25 on a day which forms part of the period of incapacity for work;

(c) he was incapable of work throughout a period of 196 consecutive days immediately preceding the relevant day, or an earlier day in the period of incapacity for work on which he was aged 16 or over;

(d) on the relevant day he satisfies the prescribed conditions as to residence in Northern Ireland, or as to presence there; and

(e) he is not, on that day, a person who is receiving full-time education.]

(3) A person is not entitled to short-term incapacity benefit [F287 under subsection (1)(a) above] for the first 3 days of any period of incapacity for work.

(4) In any period of incapacity for work a person is not entitled to short-term incapacity benefit for more than 364 days.

(5) Where a person ceases by virtue of subsection (4) above to be entitled to short-term incapacity benefit, he is entitled to long-term incapacity benefit in respect of any subsequent day of incapacity for work in the same period of incapacity for work on which he is not over pensionable age.

[F288 (6) Regulations may provide that persons who have previously been entitled to incapacity benefit shall, in prescribed circumstances, be entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under subsection (1)(b) above notwithstanding that they do not satisfy the condition set out in paragraph (b) of subsection (2A) above.

(7) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as receiving full-time education for the purposes of paragraph (e) of subsection (2A) above.]]

Textual Amendments

F280 S. 30A and preceding cross-heading inserted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 3(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F281 Words in s. 30A(1) substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(1)(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F282 Words in s. 30A(1) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(1)(b); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F283 Words in s. 30A(2) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(2)(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F284 Words in s. 30A(2)(a) substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(2)(b); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F285 Words in s. 30A(2)(b)(ii) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 68; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F286 S. 30A(2A) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(3); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F287 Words in s. 30A(3) inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(4); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

F288 S. 30A(6)(7) added (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 61(5); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(c)(4)(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 S. 30A modified (5.5.2003) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modifications for Her Majestys Forces and Incapacity Benefit) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/735), regs. 1, 2

C17 S. 30A excluded (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 22(a) (with reg. 3)

C18 S. 30A(4) modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, reg. 4

[F289 30B Incapacity benefit: rate. N.I.

(1) The amount payable by way of incapacity benefit in respect of any day is 1/7th of the appropriate weekly rate.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section the weekly rate of short-term incapacity benefit is the lower or higher rate specified in Schedule 4, Part I, paragraph 2.

The benefit is payable at the lower rate so specified for the first 196 days of entitlement in any period of incapacity for work and at the higher rate so specified thereafter.

(3) In the case of a person over pensionable age the weekly rate of short-term incapacity benefit is, subject to subsection (4) below, that at which the relevant retirement pension referred to in section 30A(2)(b) above would have been payable.

But in determining that rate any increase of the following descriptions shall be disregarded—

(a)

any increase [F290 (for married people [F291 or civil partners]) under section 51A(2)] below or (for deferred retirement) under Schedule 5 to this Act;

(b)

F292 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)

any increase (for Category A or Category B pensioners) under section 132 of the Administration Act (annual up-rating of benefits) which corresponds to an increase of the sums mentioned in section 150(1)(e) of the Great Britain Administration Act.

(4) In the case of a person who has been entitled to short-term incapacity benefit for 196 days or more in any period of incapacity for work and—

(a) is terminally ill; or

(b) is entitled to the highest rate of the care component of disability living allowance,

the weekly rate of short-term incapacity benefit payable, if greater than the rate otherwise payable to him under subsection (2) or (3) above, shall be equal to the rate at which long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above would be payable to him if he were entitled to it.

For the purposes of this subsection a person is terminally ill if he suffers from a progressive disease and his death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months.

(5) References to short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate shall be construed as including short-term incapacity benefit payable to any person who has been entitled to that benefit for 196 days or more in a period of incapacity for work, notwithstanding that the rate of benefit is determined in accordance with subsection (3) or (4) above.

(6) Subject as follows, the weekly rate of long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above is that specified in Schedule 4, Part I, paragraph 2A.

(7) Regulations may provide that if a person is, on the qualifying date in relation to a period of incapacity for work, under such age as may be prescribed, the rate of long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above payable to him in respect of any day in that period shall be increased by such amount as may be prescribed.

For this purpose “the qualifying date” means the first day of the period of incapacity for work or such earlier day as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F289 S. 30B inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 4(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F290 Words in s. 30B(3)(a) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 18(3)

F291 Words in s. 30B(3)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 69; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F292 S. 30B(3)(b) repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 12, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 30B modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, regs. 12, 13(1)(2), 14, 19, 20

C20 S. 30B(2)(4) modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, reg. 4

C21 S. 30B(5) applied (1.5.1995) by 1994 c. 9, s. 139(6) (as inserted by 1995 c. 4, s. 141(3))

[F293 30C Incapacity benefit: days and periods of incapacity for work. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of any provisions of this Act relating to incapacity benefit, subject to the following provisions and save as otherwise expressly provided—

(a) a day of incapacity for work means a day on which a person is incapable of work;

(b) a period of incapacity for work means a period of 4 or more consecutive days, each of which is a day of incapacity for work; and

(c) any two such periods not separated by a period of more than 8 weeks shall be treated as one period of incapacity for work.

(2) Any day which falls within the maternity allowance period (as defined in section 35(2) below) shall be treated for the purposes of any provision of this Act relating to incapacity benefit as a day of incapacity for work unless the woman is disqualified for receiving a maternity allowance for that day by virtue of regulations under section 35(3)(a) below.

(3) Regulations may make provision (subject to the preceding provisions of this section) as to the days which are or are not to be treated as days of incapacity for work for the purposes of any provision of this Act relating to incapacity benefit.

(4) Regulations may provide—

(a) that paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the reference there to 4 consecutive days were to such lesser number of days, whether consecutive or not, within such period of consecutive days as may be specified in the regulations; and

(b) that paragraph (c) of that subsection shall have effect as if for the reference to 8 weeks there were substituted a reference to such larger number of weeks as may be specified in the regulations.

[F294 (5) Where a person claims the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit, or long-term incapacity benefit, under section 30A above for a period commencing after he has ceased to be in qualifying remunerative work (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Tax Credits Act 2002) and—

(a) the day following that on which he so ceased was a day of incapacity for work for him,

(b) he has been entitled to the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit, or to long-term incapacity benefit, under section 30A above within the period of two years ending with that day of incapacity for work, and

(c) he satisfied the relevant tax credit conditions on the day before he so ceased,

every day during that period on which he satisfied those conditions is to be treated for the purposes of the claim as a day of incapacity for work for him.

(5A) A person satisfies the relevant tax credit conditions on a day if—

(a) he is entitled for the day to the disability element of working tax credit (on a claim made by him or by him jointly with another) or would be so entitled but for the fact that the relevant income (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Tax Credits Act 2002) in his or their case is such that he is not so entitled, and

(b) either working tax credit or any element of child tax credit other than the family element is paid in respect of the day on such a claim.]

(6) Where—

(a) a person becomes engaged in training for work; and

(b) he was entitled to the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit, or to long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above, for one or more of the 56 days immediately before he became so engaged; and

(c) the first day after he ceases to be so engaged is for him a day of incapacity for work and falls not later than the end of the period of two years beginning with the last day for which he was entitled to such benefit,

any day since that day in which he was engaged in training for work shall be treated for the purposes of any claim for such benefit for a period commencing after he ceases to be so engaged as having been a day of incapacity for work.

In this subsection “training for work” means training for work in pursuance of arrangements made under section 1(1) of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 or training of such other description as may be prescribed.

(7) For the purposes of this section “week” means any period of 7 days.]

Textual Amendments

F293 Ss. 30C-30E inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 5(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F294 S. 30C(5)(5A) substituted for s. 30C(5) (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 3 para. 37; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(d)(iii)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 S. 30C modified (31.3.2003) by The Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 4, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/962), art. 5(2)

C23 S. 30C modified (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 73(8)(b)

[F295 30D Incapacity benefit: construction of references to days of entitlement. N.I.

(1) The following provisions have effect in calculating for the purposes of—

(a) section 30A(4) above (length of entitlement to short-term incapacity benefit);

(b) section 30B(2) above (period after which short-term incapacity benefit is payable at higher rate);

(c) section 30B(4) above (period after which incapacity benefit is payable at long-term rate in case of terminal illness); and

(d) section 30B(5) above (construction of references to short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate),

the number of days for which a person has been entitled to short-term incapacity benefit.

(2) There shall be included—

(a) the first 3 days of the period of incapacity for work; and

(b) in the case of a woman, any days for which she was entitled to maternity allowance.

(3) There shall also be included such days as may be prescribed in respect of which a person was entitled to statutory sick pay, and on the first of which he satisfied the contribution conditions for short-term incapacity benefit.

(4) There shall be excluded any days in respect of which a person was disqualified for receiving incapacity benefit.]

Textual Amendments

F295 Ss. 30C-30E inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 5(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C24 S. 30D modified (6.4.2003) by The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modifications for Her Majestys Forces and Incapacity Benefit) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/735), regs. 1, 3

[F297 30DD Incapacity benefit: reduction for pension payments [F296 and PPF periodic payments]. N.I.

[F298 (1) Where—

(a) a person is entitled to incapacity benefit in respect of any period of a week or part of a week;

(b) there is—

(i) a pension payment;

(ii) a PPF periodic payment; or

(iii) any combination of the payments specified in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above,

payable to him in respect of that period (or a period which forms part of that period or includes that period or part of it); and

(c) the amount of the payment or payments (or, as the case may be, the amount which in accordance with regulations is to be taken as payable to him by way of pension payments or PPF periodic payments in respect of that period), when taken together exceeds the threshold,

the amount of that benefit shall be reduced by an amount equal to 50 per cent. of that excess.]

(2) In subsection (1) above “the threshold” means—

(a) if the period in question is a week, £85 or such greater amount as may be prescribed; or

(b) if that period is not a week, such proportion of the amount mentioned in paragraph (a) as falls to be calculated in accordance with regulations on such basis as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations may secure that a person of any prescribed description does not suffer any reduction under subsection (1) above in any amount of incapacity benefit to which he is entitled.

(4) Regulations may provide—

(a) for sums of any specified description to be disregarded for the purposes of this section;

(b) for sums of any specified description to be treated for those purposes as payable to persons as pension payments [F299 or PPF periodic payments] (including, in particular sums in relation to which there is a deferred right of receipt);

(c) for the aggregation of sums of any specified description which are payable as pension payments [F300 or PPF periodic payments] (or treated as being so payable) in respect of the same or different periods;

(d) for such sums or aggregate sums to be apportioned between or otherwise allocated to periods in respect of which persons are entitled to incapacity benefit.

(5) In this section “pension payment” means—

(a) a periodical payment made in relation to a person under a personal pension scheme or, in connection with the coming to an end of an employment of his, under an occupational pension scheme or a public service pension scheme;

(b) a payment of any specified description, being a payment made under an insurance policy providing benefits in connection with physical or mental illness, disability, infirmity or defect; or

(c) a payment of any other specified description;

and “specified” means prescribed by or determined in accordance with regulations under this section.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above

• “occupational pension scheme”, “personal pension scheme” and “public service pension scheme” each has the meaning given by section 1 of the M3 Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993, except that

• “personal pension scheme” includes [F301 an annuity contract or trust scheme approved under section 620 or 621 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, or a substituted contract within the meaning of section 622(3) of that Act, which is treated as having become a registered pension scheme by virtue of paragraph 1(1)(f) of Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2004].]

Textual Amendments

F296 Words in s. 30DD heading inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(2)(a)

F297 S. 30DD inserted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 60; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(b)(4)(5)

F298 S. 30DD(1) substituted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(2)(b)

F299 Words in s. 30DD(4)(b) inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(2)(c)

F300 Words in s. 30DD(4)(c) inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(2)(c)

F301 Words in s. 30DD(6) substituted (6.4.2006) by The Taxation of Pension Schemes (Consequential Amendments) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/745), arts. 1, 5(2)

Marginal Citations

M3 1993 c. 49.

F302 [30E Incapacity benefit: reduction for councillor’s allowance. N.I.

(1) Where the net amount of councillor’s allowance to which a person is entitled in respect of any week exceeds such amount as may be prescribed, an amount equal to the excess shall be deducted from the amount of any incapacity benefit to which he is entitled in respect of that week, and only the balance remaining (if any) shall be payable.

(2) In this section “councillor’s allowance” means such payments for or in connection with the work which a person undertakes as a member of a district council as may be prescribed for the purposes of this section; and where any such payments are made otherwise than weekly, an amount calculated or estimated in accordance with regulations shall be regarded as the weekly amount of the payments.

(3) In subsection (1) above “net amount”, in relation to any councillor’s allowance to which a person is entitled, means the aggregate amount of the councillor’s allowance or allowances to which he is entitled for the week in question, reduced by the amount of any expenses incurred by him in that week in connection with his membership of the council or councils in question.]

Textual Amendments

F302 Ss. 30C-30E inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 5(1); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

Sickness benefit N.I.

F303 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F303 Ss. 31-34 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 7, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F304 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F304 Ss. 31-34 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 7, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Invalidity benefits N.I.

F305 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F305 Ss. 31-34 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 7, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F306 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F306 Ss. 31-34 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 7, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Maternity N.I.

35 State maternity allowance [F307 for employed or self-employed earner]. N.I.

[F308 (1) A woman shall be entitled to a maternity allowance [F309 under this section], at the appropriate weekly rate determined under section 35A below, if—

(a) she has become pregnant and has reached, or been confined before reaching, the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement; and

(b) she has been engaged in employment as an employed or self-employed earner for any part of the week in the case of at least 26 of the 66 weeks immediately preceding the expected week of confinement; and

[F310 (c) her average weekly earnings (within the meaning of section 35A below) are not less than the maternity allowance threshold for the tax year in which the beginning of the period of 66 weeks mentioned in paragraph (b) above falls;]

(d) she is not entitled to statutory maternity pay for the same week in respect of the same pregnancy.]

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] shall be payable for the period (“the maternity allowance period”) which, if she were entitled to statutory maternity pay, would be the maternity pay period under section 161 below.

(3) Regulations may provide—

(a) for disqualifying a woman for receiving a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] if—

[F311 (i) during the maternity allowance period, except in prescribed cases, she does any work in employment as an employed or self-employed earner;]

[F311 (ia) during the maternity allowance period she fails without good cause to observe any prescribed rules of behaviour; or]

(ii) at any time before she is confined she fails without good cause to attend for, or submit herself to, any medical examination required in accordance with the regulations;

(b) that this section and [F312 section 35A below] shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications in relation to cases in which a woman has been confined and—

(i) has not made a claim for a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] in expectation of that confinement (other than a claim which has been disallowed); or

(ii) has made a claim for a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] in expectation of that confinement (other than a claim which has been disallowed), but she was confined more than 11 weeks before the expected week of confinement.

[F313 (c) that subsection (2) above shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications in relation to cases in which a woman fails to satisfy the conditions referred to in subsection (1)(b) [F314 or (c) above] at the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement, but subsequently satisfies those conditions at any time before she is confined.]

[F315 (3A) Regulations may provide for the duration of the maternity allowance period as it applies to a woman to be reduced, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.

(3B) Regulations under subsection (3A) are to secure that the reduced period ends at a time—

(a) after a prescribed period beginning with the day on which the woman is confined; and

(b) when at least a prescribed part of the maternity allowance period remains unexpired.

(3C) Regulations under subsection (3A) may, in particular, prescribe restrictions and conditions relating to—

(a) the end of the woman's entitlement to maternity leave;

(b) the doing of work by the woman;

(c) the taking of prescribed steps by the woman or another person as regards leave under Article 107E of the Employment Rights Order in respect of the child;

(d) the taking of prescribed steps by a person other than the woman as regards statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.

(3D) Regulations may provide for a reduction in the duration of the maternity allowance period as it applies to a woman to be revoked, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.]

[F316 (3E) A woman who would, but for the reduction in duration of a maternity pay period by virtue of section 161(3A), be entitled to statutory maternity pay for a week is not entitled to a maternity allowance for that week.]

(4) A woman who has become entitled to a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] shall cease to be entitled to it if she dies before the beginning of the maternity allowance period; and if she dies after the beginning, but before the end, of that period, the allowance shall not be payable for any week subsequent to that in which she dies.

(5) Where for any purpose of this Part of this Act or of regulations it is necessary to calculate the daily rate of a maternity allowance [F309 under this section] [F317 the amount payable by way of that allowance for any day shall be taken as one seventh of the weekly rate of the allowance.]

(6) In this section “confinement” means—

(a) labour resulting in the issue of a living child, or

(b) labour after [F318 24 weeks] of pregnancy resulting in the issue of a child whether alive or dead,

and “confined” shall be construed accordingly; and where a woman’s labour begun on one day results in the issue of a child on another day she shall be taken to be confined on the day of the issue of the child or, if labour results in the issue of twins or a greater number of children, she shall be taken to be confined on the day of the issue of the last of them.

[F319 (6A) In this section “the maternity allowance threshold”, in relation to a tax year, means (subject to subsection (6B) below) £30.

(6B) Whenever the Secretary of State makes an order under section 35(6B) of the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act (increase of maternity allowance threshold), the Department may make a corresponding order for Northern Ireland.]

(7) The fact that the mother of a child is being paid maternity allowance [F320 under this section] shall not be taken into consideration by any court in deciding whether to order payment of expenses incidental to the birth of the child.

Textual Amendments

F307 Words in s. 35 heading inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(a)

F308 S. 35(1) substituted for s. 35(1)(1A) (12.1.2000 for specified purposes and 2.4.2000 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 50(1); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(a)

F309 Words in s. 35 inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(b)

F310 S. 35(1)(c) substituted (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), s. 9(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(a); S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F311 S. 35(3)(a)(i)(ia) substituted for s. 35(3)(a)(i) (1.9.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 5; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(c)

F312 Words in s. 35(3)(b) substituted (12.1.2000 for specified purposes and 2.4.2000 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 50(2)(a); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(a)

F313 S. 35(3)(c) added (in accordance with reg. 1(2)(3) of the amending S.R.) by S.R. 1994/176, reg. 2(3)

F314 Words in s. 35(3)(c) substituted (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), s. 9(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(b); S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F315 S. 35(3A)-(3D) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 6(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(e)

F316 S. 35(3E) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 6(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(e)

F317 Words in s. 35(5) substituted (1.10.2006 in respect of women whose expected week of confinement begins on or after 1.4.2007) by The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1506), arts. 1(2), 63; S.R. 2006/360, art. 2

F318 Words in s. 35(6) substituted (1.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/1310, art. 4(a).

F319 S. 35(6A)(6B) inserted (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), s. 9(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(c); S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F320 Words in s. 35(7) inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(3)(c)

[F321 35A Appropriate weekly rate of maternity allowance [F322 under section 35]. N.I.

[F323 (1) For the purposes of section 35(1) above the appropriate weekly rate is (subject to subsection (5A) below) whichever is the lower rate of—

(a) a weekly rate equivalent to 90 per cent. of the woman's average weekly earnings; and

(b) the weekly rate for the time being prescribed under section 162(1)(b) below.]

(4) For the purposes of this section a woman’s

“average weekly earnings” shall be taken to be the average weekly amount (as determined in accordance with regulations) of specified payments which—

(a)

were made to her or for her benefit as an employed earner, or

(b)

are (in accordance with regulations) to be treated as made to her or for her benefit as a self-employed earner,

during the specified period.

(5) Regulations may, for the purposes of subsection (4) above, provide—

(a) for the amount of any payments falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection to be calculated or estimated in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed;

(b) for a payment made outside the specified period to be treated as made during that period where it was referable to that period or any part of it;

(c) for a woman engaged in employment as a self-employed earner to be treated as having received a payment in respect of a week—

(i) equal to [F324 an amount 90 per cent. of which is equal to the weekly rate prescribed under section 162(1)(b) below that is] in force on the last day of the week, if she [F325 has] paid a Class 2 contribution in respect of the week, or

(ii) equal to the maternity allowance threshold in force on that day, if she [F326 could have paid, but has not paid,] such a contribution in respect of the week;

(d) for aggregating payments made or treated as made to or for the benefit of a woman where, either in the same week or in different weeks, she was engaged in two or more employments (whether, in each case, as an employed earner or a self-employed earner).

[F327 (5A) Where subsection (5B) below applies the appropriate weekly rate is the weekly rate for the time being prescribed under section 162(1)(b) below.

(5B) This subsection applies where a woman is treated by virtue of regulations under sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (c) of subsection (5) above as having received a payment in respect of each week in the specified period equal to the amount mentioned in that sub-paragraph.]

[F328 (6) In this section—

• “the maternity allowance threshold” has the same meaning as in section 35 above;

• “specified” means prescribed by or determined in accordance with regulations.]]

Textual Amendments

F321 S. 35A inserted (12.1.2000 for specified purposes and 2.4.2000 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 50(3); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(a)

F322 Words in s. 35A heading inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(4)

F323 S. 35A(1) substituted for s. 35A(1)-(3) (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), ss. 4(1)(a), 9(1); S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3(3))

F324 Words in s. 35A(5)(c)(i) substituted (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 4(1)(b), 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

F325 Word in s. 35A(5)(c)(i) inserted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 15(a), 35

F326 Words in s. 35A(5)(c)(ii) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 15(b), 35

F327 S. 35A(5A)(5B) inserted (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), ss. 4(1)(c), 9(1); S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F328 S. 35A(6) substituted for s. 35A(6)(7) (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), s. 9(1), Sch. 1 para. 3; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25 S. 35A(5)(c)(i) modified (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 4(2), 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

[F329 35B. State maternity allowance for participating wife or civil partner of self-employed earner N.I.

(1) A woman (W) shall be entitled to a maternity allowance under this section, at the weekly rate given by subsection (3), if—

(a) W has become pregnant and has reached, or been confined before reaching, the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement; and

(b) for any part of the week in the case of at least 26 of the 66 weeks immediately preceding the expected week of confinement, W has worked with a person (S) who at the time of her doing so—

(i) was her spouse or civil partner, and

(ii) was engaged in employment as a self-employed earner; and

(c) S [F330 has paid] a class 2 contribution in respect of the 26 weeks referred to in paragraph (1)(b); and

(d) W is not entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35, or statutory maternity pay, for the same week in respect of the same pregnancy.

(2) In this section—

(a) a reference to W working with S is a reference to W participating in the activities engaged in by S as a self-employed earner, performing the same tasks or ancillary tasks, without being employed by S or being in partnership with S; and

(b) a reference to W ceasing to work with S is a reference to W ceasing to do so either permanently or until after her confinement.

(3) The rate of allowance under this section for any particular week is 90 per cent. of the amount of the maternity allowance threshold for the tax year in which the week ends.

(4) Subject to subsections (10) and (11), a maternity allowance under this section shall be payable for the period of 14 weeks (“the 14-week period”) beginning as set out in subsection (5), (6), (7) or (8) (whichever applies).

(5) If W ceases to work with S before the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement, the 14-week period begins with the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement.

(6) If W ceases to work with S on a day that falls within the period beginning with the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement and ending with the end of the 5th week before the expected week of confinement, the 14-week period begins immediately after that day.

(7) If on a day that falls within the period beginning with the commencement of the 4th week before the expected week of confinement and ending with the date of confinement—

(a) W ceases to work with S, or

(b) she refrains from working with S wholly or partly because of her pregnancy or confinement,

the 14-week period begins immediately after the day on which she ceases or refrains.

(8) If none of subsections (5) to (7) applies, the 14-week period begins immediately after the date of confinement.

(9) In relation to maternity allowance under this section, a reference in a provision contained in or made under any enactment to the maternity allowance period shall be read as a reference to the 14-week period.

(10) Subsections (4) to (7) of section 35 have effect for the purposes of this section as they have effect for the purposes of that section (reading references to the maternity allowance period as references to the 14-week period).

(11) Regulations under section 35 may make provision for the purposes of this section corresponding or similar to the provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (3)(a), (b) or (c) of that section.]

Textual Amendments

F329 S. 35B inserted (1.4.2014 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/102), regs. 1(1), 2(5)

F330 Words in s. 35B(1)(c) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 16, 35

[F331 Bereavement benefits: deaths before the day on which section 29 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 comes into operation] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F331 S. 36 cross-heading substituted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 7; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F332 36 Bereavement payment. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F332 S. 36 repealed (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 8; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F333 36A Cases in which sections 37 to 41 apply. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F333 S. 36A repealed (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 9; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

37 Widowed mother’s allowance[F334 : deaths before 9 April 2001]. N.I.

[F335 (A1) This section applies only in cases where a woman's husband has died before 9 April 2001.]

(1) A woman who has been widowed shall be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance at the rate determined in accordance with section 39 below if her late husband satisfied the contribution conditions for a widowed mother’s allowance specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 5 and either—

(a) the woman is entitled to child benefit in respect of a child [F336 or qualifying young person] falling within subsection (2) below;

(b) the woman is pregnant by her late husband; or

(c) if the woman and her late husband were residing together immediately before the time of his death, the woman is pregnant as the result of being artificially inseminated before that time with the semen of some person other than her husband, or as the result of the placing in her before that time of an embryo, of an egg in the process of fertilisation, or of sperm and eggs.

(2) A child [F337 or qualifying young person] falls within this subsection if F338 ... the child [F339 or qualifying young person] is either—

(a) a son or daughter of the woman and her late husband;

(b) a child [F340 or qualifying young person] in respect of whom her late husband was immediately before his death entitled to child benefit; or

(c) if the woman and her late husband were residing together immediately before his death, a child [F340 or qualifying young person] in respect of whom she was then entitled to child benefit.

(3) The widow shall not be entitled to the allowance for any period after she remarries [F341 or forms a civil partnership], but, subject to that, she shall continue to be entitled to it for any period throughout which she satisfies the requirements of subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) above.

(4) A widowed mother’s allowance shall not be payable—

(a) for any period falling before the day on which the widow’s entitlement is to be regarded as commencing for that purpose by virtue of section 5(1)(l) of the Administration Act; [F342 or

(b) for any period during which she, and a person who is neither her spouse nor her civil partner, are living together as if spouses of each other].

Textual Amendments

F334 Words in s. 37 heading inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 10(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F335 S. 37(A1) inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 10(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F336 Words in s. 37(1)(a) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 28(2)

F337 Words in s. 37(2) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 28(3)(a)

F338 Words in s. 37(2) repealed (7.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 46, 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2008/339, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 3(3))

F339 Words in s. 37(2) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 28(3)(b)

F340 Words in s. 37(2) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 28(3)(c)

F341 Words in s. 37(3) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 72(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F342 S. 37(4)(b) and preceding word substituted for s. 37(4)(b)(c) (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(2) (with regs. 6-9)

38 Widow’s pension[F343 : deaths before 9 April 2001]. N.I.

[F344 (A1) This section applies only in cases where a woman's husband has died before 9 April 2001.]

(1) A woman who has been widowed shall be entitled to a widow’s pension at the rate determined in accordance with section 39 below if her late husband satisfied the contribution conditions for a widow’s pension specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 5 and either—

(a) she was, at the husband’s death, over the age of 45 but under the age of 65; or

(b) she ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance at a time when she was over the age of 45 but under the age of 65.

(2) The widow shall not be entitled to the pension for any period after she remarries [F345 or forms a civil partnership], but, subject to that, she shall continue to be entitled to it until she attains [F346 pensionable age].

(3) A widow’s pension shall not be payable—

(a) for any period falling before the day on which the widow’s entitlement is to be regarded as commencing for that purpose by virtue of section 5(1)(l) of the Administration Act;

(b) for any period for which she is entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance; [F347 or

(c) for any period during which she, and a person who is neither her spouse nor her civil partner, are living together as if spouses of each other].

(4) In the case of a widow whose late husband died before 11th April 1988 and who either—

(a) was over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time of her husband’s death; or

(b) is over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time when she ceases to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance,

subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for “45” there were substituted “ 40 ”.

Textual Amendments

F343 Words in s. 38 heading inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 11(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F344 S. 38(A1) inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 11(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F345 Words in s. 38(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 73(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F346 Words in s. 38(2) substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 37 (as amended, in the case of s. 11, by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3), s. 34(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(b))

F347 S. 38(3)(c) and preceding word substituted for s. 38(3)(c)(d) (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(3) (with regs. 6-9)

39 Rate of widowed mother’s allowance and widow’s pension. N.I.

(1) The weekly rate of—

(a) a widowed mother’s allowance,

(b) a widow’s pension,

shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of [F348 [F349 sections 44 to] [F350 45B]] below F351 ... as they apply in the case of a Category A retirement pension, but subject, in particular, to the following provisions of this section and section [F352 46] below.

(2) In the application of [F348 [F349 sections 44 to] [F350 45B]] below F351 ... by virtue of subsection (1) above—

(a) where the woman’s husband was over pensionable age when he died, references in those sections to the pensioner shall be taken as references to the husband, and

(b) where the husband was under pensionable age when he died, references in those sections to the pensioner and the tax year in which he attained pensionable age shall be taken as references to the husband and the tax year in which he died.

[F353 (2A) In its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, section 44(4) below is to be read as if for the first amount specified in that provision there were substituted a reference to the amount prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.]

F354 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Where a widow’s pension is payable to a woman who was under the age of 55 at the time when the applicable qualifying condition was fulfilled, the weekly rate of the pension shall be reduced by 7 per cent. of what it would be apart from this subsection multiplied by the number of years by which her age at that time was less than 55 (any fraction of a year being counted as a year).

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) above, the time when the applicable qualifying condition was fulfilled is the time when the woman’s late husband died or, as the case may be, the time when she ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance.

(6) In the case of a widow whose late husband died before 11th April 1988 and who either—

(a) was over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time of her husband’s death; or

(b) is over the age of 40 but under the age of 55 at the time when she ceases to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance,

subsection (4) above shall have effect as if for “55” there were substituted “ 50 ”.

Textual Amendments

F348 Words in s. 39(1)(2)(3) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 124(2)-(5)

F349 Words in s. 39(1)(2)(3) amendment continued (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 3 para. 39; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(d)(iii)

F350 Words in s. 39(1)(2)(3) substituted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 7; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F351 Words in s. 39 repealed (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 3(a), Sch. 6 Pt. 4

F352 Figure in s. 39(1) substituted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 3 (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(ii)

F353 S. 39(2A) inserted (with effect in relation to the tax year 2010–11 and subsequent tax years) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 6(1) (with s. 6(3)); S.I. 2010/2650

F354 S. 39(3) repealed (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 3(b), Sch. 6 Pt. 4

[F355 39A Widowed parent’s allowance. N.I.

[F356 (1) This section applies where—

(a) a person's [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] has died before the day on which section 29 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 comes into operation (but see subsection (1A)),

(b) the person has not married or formed a civil partnership [F358 or a cohabiting partnership] after the death but before that day, and

(c) the person is under pensionable age on that day.]

[F356 (1A) This section does not apply in cases where a woman's husband has died before 9 April 2001.]

(2) The surviving [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] shall be entitled to a widowed parent’s allowance at the rate determined in accordance with section 39C below if the deceased [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] satisfied the contribution conditions for a widowed parent’s allowance specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 5 and—

(a) the surviving [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] is entitled to child benefit in respect of a child [F359 or qualifying young person] falling within subsection (3) below; F360 ...

(b) the surviving spouse [F361 or cohabiting partner] is a woman who either—

(i) is pregnant by her late husband [F362 or the deceased cohabiting partner], or

(ii) if she and he were residing together immediately before the time of his death, is pregnant in circumstances falling within section 37(1)(c) above [F363 (which is to be read as if the references to her late husband included a reference to the deceased cohabiting partner)]; [F364 or

(c) the surviving civil partner [F365 or cohabiting partner] is a woman who—

(i) was residing together with the deceased civil partner [F365 or cohabiting partner] immediately before the time of the death, and

(ii) is pregnant as the result of being artificially inseminated before that time with the semen of some person, or as a result of the placing in her before that time of an embryo, of an egg in the process of fertilisation, or of sperm and eggs].

(3) A child [F366 or qualifying young person] falls within this subsection if F367 ... the child [F368 or qualifying young person] is either—

(a) a son or daughter of the surviving [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] and the deceased [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner]; or

(b) a child [F369 or qualifying young person] in respect of whom the deceased [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] was immediately before his or her death entitled to child benefit; or

(c) if the surviving [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] and the deceased spouse [F370 or civil partner] were residing together immediately before his or her death, a child [F369 or qualifying young person] in respect of whom the surviving [F357 spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner] was then entitled to child benefit.

[F371 (3A) Only one person is entitled to a widowed parent’s allowance in respect of one death.

(3B) Where, apart from subsection (3A), more than one person would be so entitled, entitlement is to be determined in accordance with subsections (3C) and (3D).

(3C) Where only one of those persons is a member of the same household as the deceased, that person is entitled.

(3D) Where there is more than one person who is a member of the same household as the deceased and would (apart from subsection (3A)) be entitled—

(a) if one of those persons is the deceased’s spouse or civil partner and is pregnant or entitled to child benefit in accordance with subsection (2), that person is entitled;

(b) if there is no spouse or civil partner entitled under paragraph (a), the deceased’s cohabiting partner who is pregnant or entitled to child benefit in accordance with subsection (2) is entitled (but this is subject to paragraphs (c) and (d));

(c) if there is more than one cohabiting partner within paragraph (b), the cohabiting partner who has been a member of the same household as the deceased for longest is entitled;

(d) if there is more than one cohabiting partner within paragraph (b) and each partner has been a member of the same household as the deceased for the same length of time, the Department must determine who is entitled.]

(4) The surviving spouse shall not be entitled to the allowance for any period after she or he remarries [F372 or forms a civil partnership] [F373 or a cohabiting partnership], but, subject to that, the surviving spouse shall continue to be entitled to it for any period throughout which she or he—

(a) satisfies the requirements of subsection (2)(a) or (b) above; and

(b) is under pensionable age.

[F374 (4A) The surviving civil partner shall not be entitled to the allowance for any period after she or he forms a subsequent civil partnership [F375 or a cohabiting partnership] or marries, but, subject to that, the surviving civil partner shall continue to be entitled to it for any period throughout which she or he—

(a) satisfies the requirements of subsection (2)(a) or (b) above; and

(b) is under pensionable age.]

[F376 (4B) The surviving cohabiting partner shall not be entitled to the allowance for any period after she or he forms a subsequent cohabiting partnership or a civil partnership or marries, but, subject to that, the surviving cohabiting partner shall continue to be entitled to it for any period throughout which she or he—

(a) satisfies the requirements of subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c) above; and

(b) is under pensionable age.]

(5) A widowed parent’s allowance shall not be payable—

(a) for any period falling before the day on which the surviving [F377 spouse’s, civil partner’s or cohabiting partner’s] entitlement is to be regarded as commencing by virtue of section 5(1)(l) of the Administration Act; [F378 or

F379 (b) for any period during which—

(i) the surviving spouse or civil partner, and

(ii) a person who is neither the spouse, nor the civil partner, of the surviving spouse or civil partner,,

are living together as if spouses of each other].

[F380 (6) For the purposes of this section, the Department may by regulations prescribe—

(a) circumstances in which the fact that two persons are married to each other, or are civil partners or cohabiting partners of each other, is to be disregarded;

(b) circumstances in which two persons are to be treated as if they were married to each other or were civil partners or cohabiting partners of each other (or as marrying or forming a civil partnership or a cohabiting partnership);

(c) circumstances in which people are to be treated as being, or as not being, members of the same household.

(7) For the purposes of this section and section 39C, two persons are cohabiting partners if they are not married to, or civil partners of, each other but are living together as if they were married or in a civil partnership (and “cohabiting partnership” is to be read accordingly).

(8) The Department must issue a statement of its policy with respect to making determinations under subsection (3D)(d).]]

Textual Amendments

F355 Ss. 39A-39C inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 52(2); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F356 S. 39A(1)(1A) substituted for s. 39A(1) (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 12; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F357 Words in s. 39A substituted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(a)

F358 Words in s. 39A(1)(b) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(b)

F359 Words in s. 39A(2)(a) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 29(2)

F360 Word in s. 39A(2) repealed (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(10)(b)(d), Sch. 30; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F361 Words in s. 39A(2)(b) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(c)(i)

F362 Words in s. 39A(2)(b)(i) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(c)(ii)

F363 Words in s. 39A(2)(b)(ii) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(c)(iii)

F364 S. 39A(2)(c) and preceding word inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 74(4); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F365 Words in s. 39A(2)(c) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(d)

F366 Words in s. 39A(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 29(3)(a)

F367 Words in s. 39A(3) repealed (7.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 47, 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2008/339, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 3(3))

F368 Words in s. 39A(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 29(3)(b)

F369 Words in s. 39A(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 29(3)(c)

F370 Words in s. 39A inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 74(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F371 S. 39A(3A)-(3D) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(e)

F372 Words in s. 39A(4) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 74(5); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F373 Words in s. 39A(4) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(f)

F374 S. 39A(4A) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 74(6); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F375 Words in s. 39A(4A) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(g)

F376 S. 39A(4B) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(h)

F377 Words in s. 39A(5)(a) substituted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(i)

F378 S. 39A(5)(b) and preceding word substituted for s. 39A(5)(b)(c) (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(4) (with regs. 6-9)

F379 By The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(a) it is provided (retrospectively to 30.8.2018) that the words “spouse or civil partner” are substituted by the words “spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner” in each place they appear

F380 S. 39A(6)-(8) inserted (retrospective to 30.8.2018) by The Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/134), arts. 1(3), 8(2)(j)

F381 39B Bereavement allowance where no dependent children. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F381 S. 39B repealed (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 13; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

[F383 39C Rate of widowed parent’s allowance F382 ... N.I.

(1) The weekly rate of a widowed parent’s allowance shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of sections 44 to [F384 45AA and Schedules 4A and 4B below as they apply] in the case of a Category A retirement pension, but subject, in particular, to the following provisions of this section and section [F385 46] below.

[F386 (1A) In its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, section 44(4) below is to be read as if for the first amount specified in that provision there were substituted a reference to the amount prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.]

F387 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In the application of sections 44 to [F388 45AA and Schedules 4A and 4B below by virtue of subsection (1) above]—

(a) where the deceased spouse [F389 or civil partner] was over pensionable age at his or her death, references in those [F390 provisions] to the pensioner shall be taken as references to the deceased spouse [F389 or civil partner], and

(b) where the deceased spouse [F389 or civil partner] was under pensionable age at his or her death, references in those [F391 provisions] to the pensioner and the tax year in which he attained pensionable age shall be taken as references to the deceased spouse [F389 or civil partner] and the tax year in which he or she died.

(4) Where a widowed parent’s allowance is payable to a person whose spouse [F389 or civil partner] dies after [F392 5th October 2002], the additional pension falling to be calculated under sections 44 to [F393 45AA and Schedules 4A and 4B below] by virtue of subsection (1) above shall be one half of the amount which it would be apart from this subsection.

F394 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

Textual Amendments

F382 Words in s. 39C heading omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 14(4); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F383 Ss. 39A-39C inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 52(2); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F384 Words in s. 39C(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 77(2)

F385 Figure in s. 39C(1) substituted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 4(2)(c) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(iv)

F386 S. 39C(1A)(2) substituted for s. 39C(2) (with effect in relation to the tax year 2010–11 and subsequent tax years) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 6(2)(a) (with s. 6(3)); S.I. 2010/2650

F387 S. 39C(2) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 14(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F388 Words in s. 39C(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 77(3)

F389 Words in s. 39C inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 76(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F390 Word in s. 39C(3)(a) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)

F391 Word in s. 39C(3)(b) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)

F392 Words in s. 39C(4) substituted (retrospectively) by virtue of 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 35(1)(a)(2)(a)

F393 Words in s. 39C(4) substituted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 77(4)

F394 S. 39C(5) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 14(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26 S. 39C modified (6.10.2002) by S.R. 2001/441, art. 2

[F395 40 Long-term incapacity benefit for widows. N.I.

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, this section applies to a woman who—

(a) on her late husband’s death is not entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance or subsequently ceases to be entitled to such an allowance;

(b) is incapable of work at the time when he dies or when she subsequently ceases to be so entitled;

(c) either—

(i) would have been entitled to a widow’s pension if she had been over the age of 45 when her husband died or when she ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance; or

(ii) is entitled to such a pension with a reduction under section 39(4) above; and

(d) is not entitled to incapacity benefit apart from this section.

(2) This section does not apply to a woman unless—

(a) her husband died after 5th April 1979; or

(b) she ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance after that date (whenever her husband died).

(3) A woman to whom this section applies is entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under this section for any day of incapacity for work which—

(a) falls in a period of incapacity for work that began before the time when her late husband died or she subsequently ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance; and

(b) is after that time and after the first 364 days of incapacity for work in that period.

(4) A woman to whom this section applies who is not entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under subsection (3) above, but who is terminally ill, is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under this section for any day of incapacity for work which—

(a) falls in a period of incapacity for work that began before the time when her late husband died or she subsequently ceased to be entitled to a widowed mother’s allowance; and

(b) is after that time and after the first 196 days of incapacity for work in that period.

For the purposes of this subsection a woman is terminally ill if she suffers from a progressive disease and her death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months.

(5) The weekly rate of incapacity benefit payable under this section is—

(a) if the woman is not entitled to a widow’s pension, that which would apply if she were entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above; and

(b) if she is entitled to a widow’s pension with a reduction under section 39(4) above, the difference between the weekly rate of that pension and the weekly rate referred to in paragraph (a) above.

(6) A woman is not entitled to incapacity benefit under this section if she is over pensionable age; but if she has attained pensionable age and the period of incapacity for work mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (4)(a) above did not terminate before she attained that age—

(a) she shall, if not otherwise entitled to a Category A retirement pension, be entitled to such a pension; and

(b) the weekly rate of the Category A retirement pension to which she is entitled (whether by virtue of paragraph (a) above or otherwise) shall be determined in the prescribed manner.

(7) Where a woman entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under subsection (4) above attains pensionable age and defers her entitlement to a Category A retirement pension or makes an election under section 54(1) below, the days of incapacity for work falling within the period of incapacity for work mentioned in that subsection shall, for the purpose of determining any subsequent entitlement to incapacity benefit under section 30A above or the rate of that benefit, be treated as if they had been days of entitlement to short-term incapacity benefit.

(8) References to short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate shall be construed as including short-term incapacity benefit payable under subsection (4) above.]

Textual Amendments

F395 S. 40 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27 S. 40 excluded (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 22(a) (with reg. 3)

C28 S. 40(8) applied (1.5.1995) by 1994 c. 9, s. 139(6) (as inserted by 1995 c. 4, s. 141(3))

[F396 41 Long-term incapacity benefit for widowers. N.I.

(1) This section applies to a man whose wife has died on or after 6th April 1979 and who either—

(a) was incapable of work at the time when she died; or

(b) becomes incapable of work within the prescribed period after that time;

and is not entitled to incapacity benefit apart from this section.

(2) A man to whom this section applies is entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under this section for any day of incapacity for work which—

(a) falls in a period of incapacity for work that began before the time when his wife died or within the prescribed period after that time; and

(b) is after that time and after the first 364 days of incapacity for work in that period.

(3) A man to whom this section applies who is not entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under subsection (2) above, but who is terminally ill, is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under this section for any day of incapacity for work which—

(a) falls in a period of incapacity for work that began before the time when his late wife died or within the prescribed period after that time; and

(b) is after that time and after the first 196 days of incapacity for work in that period.

For the purposes of this subsection a man is terminally ill if he suffers from a progressive disease and his death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months.

(4) The weekly rate of incapacity benefit payable under this section is that which would apply if he were entitled to long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A above.

(5) A man is not entitled to incapacity benefit under this section if he is over pensionable age; but if he has attained pensionable age, and the period of incapacity for work mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (3)(a) above did not terminate before he attained that age—

(a) he shall, if not otherwise entitled to a Category A retirement pension and also not entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of [F397 the contributions of his wife], be entitled to a Category A retirement pension; and

(b) the weekly rate of the Category A retirement pension to which he is entitled (whether by virtue of paragraph (a) above or otherwise) shall be determined in the prescribed manner.

(6) Where a man entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under subsection (3) above attains pensionable age and defers his entitlement to a Category A retirement pension or makes an election under section 54(1) below, the days of incapacity for work falling within the period of incapacity for work mentioned in that subsection shall, for the purpose of determining any subsequent entitlement to incapacity benefit under section 30A above or the rate of that benefit, be treated as if they had been days of entitlement to short-term incapacity benefit.

(7) References to short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate shall be construed as including short-term incapacity benefit payable under subsection (3) above.]

Textual Amendments

F396 S. 41 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 9; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F397 Words in s. 41(5)(a) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29 S. 41 excluded (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 22(a) (with reg. 3)

C30 S. 41(7) applied (1.5.1995) by 1994 c. 9, s. 139(6) (as inserted by 1995 c. 4, s. 141(3))

[F398 42 Entitlement under s. 40 or 41 after period of employment or training for work. N.I.

[F399 (1) Where a person claims incapacity benefit under section 40 or 41 above for a period commencing after he has ceased to be in qualifying remunerative work (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Tax Credits Act 2002) and—

(a) the day following that on which he so ceased was a day of incapacity for work for him,

(b) he has been entitled to incapacity benefit under that section within the period of two years ending with that day of incapacity for work, and

(c) he satisfied the relevant tax credit conditions on the day before he so ceased,

every day during that period on which he satisfied those conditions is to be treated for the purposes of the claim as a day of incapacity for work for him.

(1A) A person satisfies the relevant tax credit conditions on a day if—

(a) he is entitled for the day to the disability element of working tax credit (on a claim made by him or by him jointly with another) or would be so entitled but for the fact that the relevant income (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Tax Credits Act 2002) in his or their case is such that he is not so entitled, and

(b) either working tax credit or any element of child tax credit other than the family element is paid in respect of the day on such a claim.]

(2) Where—

(a) a person becomes engaged in training for work; and

(b) he was entitled to incapacity benefit under section 40 or 41 above for one or more of the 56 days immediately before he became so engaged; and

(c) the first day after he ceases to be so engaged is for him a day of incapacity for work and falls not later than the end of the period of two years beginning with the last day for which he was entitled to incapacity benefit under that section,

any day since that day in which he was engaged in training for work shall be treated for the purposes of any claim for incapacity benefit under that section for a period commencing after he ceases to be so engaged as having been a day of incapacity for work.

In this subsection “training for work” means training for work in pursuance of arrangements made under section 1(1) of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 or training of such other description as may be prescribed.

(3) For the purposes of this section “week” means any period of 7 days.]

Textual Amendments

F398 S. 42 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 10; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F399 S. 42(1)(1A) substituted for s. 42(1) (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 3 para. 42; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(d)(iii)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C31 S. 42 modified (31.3.2003) by The Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 4, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/962), art. 5(3)

Retirement pensions (Categories A and B) N.I.

43 Persons entitled to more than one retirement pension. N.I.

(1) A person shall not be entitled for the same period to more than one retirement pension under this Part of this Act except as provided by subsection (2) below [F400 and section 61ZC below (which deals with unusual cases involving units of additional pension)].

(2) A person who, apart from subsection (1) above, would be entitled for the same period to both—

(a) a Category A or a Category B retirement pension under this Part; and

(b) a Category C or a Category D retirement pension under Part III of this Act,

shall be entitled to both of those pensions for that period, subject to any adjustment of them in pursuance of regulations under section 71 of the Administration Act.

(3) A person who, apart from subsection (1) above, would be entitled—

[F401 (a) to both a Category A retirement pension and one or more Category B retirement pensions under this Part for the same period,]

[F401 (aa) to more than one Category B retirement pension (but not a Category A retirement pension) under this Part for the same period, or]

(b) to both a Category C and a Category D retirement pension under Part III of this Act for the same period,

may from time to time give notice in writing to the Department specifying which of the pensions referred to in [F402 paragraph (a), (aa) or (b) (as the case may be)] he wishes to receive.

(4) If a person gives such a notice, the pension so specified shall be the one to which he is entitled in respect of any week commencing after the date of the notice.

(5) If no such notice is given, the person shall be entitled to whichever of the pensions is from time to time the most favourable to him (whether it is the pension which he claimed or not).

[F403 (6) For the purposes of this section, a pension under section 55A [F404 or 55AA] below is not a retirement pension.]

Textual Amendments

F400 Word in s. 43(1) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 2; S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F401 S. 43(3)(a)(aa) substituted for s. 43(3)(a) (17.2.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), arts. 1(3), 272(a)

F402 Words in s. 43(3) substituted (17.2.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), arts. 1(3), 272(b)

F403 S. 43(6) added (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 8; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F404 Words in s. 43(6) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 3

44 Category A retirement pension. N.I.

(1) A person shall be entitled to a Category A retirement pension if—

[F405 (a) the person attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016,] and

[F406 (b) he satisfies the relevant conditions or condition;]

and, subject to the provisions of this Act, he shall become so entitled on the day on which he attains pensionable age and his entitlement shall continue throughout his life.

[F407 (1A) In subsection (1)(b) above “the relevant conditions or condition” means—

(a) in a case where the person attains pensionable age before 6th April 2010, the conditions specified in Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5;

(b) in a case where the person attains pensionable age on or after that date, the condition specified in Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5A.]

(2) A Category A retirement pension shall not be payable in respect of any period falling before the day on which the pensioner’s entitlement is to be regarded as commencing for that purpose by virtue of section 5(1)(l) of the Administration Act.

(3) A Category A retirement pension shall consist of—

(a) a basic pension payable at a weekly rate; and

(b) an additional pension payable where there are one or more surpluses in the pensioner’s earnings factors for the relevant years [F408 or where the pensioner has one or more units of additional pension].

[F409 For units of additional pension, see section 14A.]

[F410 (4) The weekly rate of the basic pension shall be [F411 £134∙25] except that, so far as the sum is relevant for the purpose of calculating the lower rate of short-term incapacity benefit under section 30B(3) above, it shall be [F412 £109∙50].

In this subsection “the lower rate” means the rate payable for the first 196 days of entitlement in any period of incapacity for work.]

[F413 (5A) For the purpose of this section and section 45 below [F414 and [F415 Schedules 4A and 4B] to this Act]—

(a) there is a surplus in the pensioner’s earnings factor for a relevant year if that factor exceeds the qualifying earnings factor for [F416 that year,

(b) the amount of the surplus is the amount of that excess, and

(c) for the purposes of section 45(1) and (2)(a) and (b) below, the adjusted amount of the surplus] is the amount of that excess, as increased by the last order under section 130 of the Administration Act to come into operation before the end of the final relevant year.]

(6) [F417 Subject to subsection (7A) below] any reference in this section or section 45 below [F418 or [F419 Schedule 4A or 4B] to this Act] to the pensioner’s earnings factor for any relevant year is a reference—

[F420 (za) where the relevant year is the first appointed year or any subsequent year, to the aggregate of his earnings factors derived from [F421 so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F422 the applicable limit] and] upon which primary Class 1 contributions have been paid or treated as paid in respect of that year;]

(a) where the relevant year is 1987-88 or any subsequent tax year [F423 before the first appointed year], to the aggregate of—

(i) his earnings factors derived from earnings upon which primary Class 1 contributions were paid or treated as paid in respect of that year, and

[F424 (ii) his earnings factors derived from Class 2 and Class 3 contributions actually paid in respect of that year, or, if less, the qualifying earnings factor for that year; and

(b) where the relevant year is an earlier tax year, to the aggregate of—

(i) his earnings factors derived from Class 1 contributions actually paid by him in respect of that year; and

(ii) his earnings factors derived from Class 2 and Class 3 contributions actually paid by him in respect of that year, or, if less, the qualifying earnings factor for that year.]

(7) In this section—

(a) “relevant year” means 1978-79 or any subsequent tax year in the period between—

(i) (inclusive) the tax year in which the pensioner attained the age of 16, and

(ii) (exclusive) the tax year in which he attained pensionable age;

(b) “final relevant year” means the last tax year which is a relevant year in relation to the pensioner;

[F425 (c) “the applicable limit” means—

(i) in relation to a tax year before [F426 2009–10], the upper earnings limit;

(ii) in relation to [F426 2009–10] or any subsequent tax year, the upper accrual point.]

[F427 (7A) The Department may prescribe circumstances in which pensioners’ earnings factors for any relevant year may be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.]

(8) For the purposes of this section any order under Article 23 of the Pensions Order (which made provision corresponding to section 130 of the Administration Act) shall be treated as an order under section 130 (but without prejudice to sections 16 and 17 of the M4 Interpretation Act 1978).

Textual Amendments

F405 S. 44(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 47

F406 S. 44(1)(b) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 1(2)

F407 S. 44(1A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 1(3)

F408 Words in s. 44(3)(b) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 3(a); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F409 Words in s. 44(3) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 3(b); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F410 S. 44(4) substituted (9.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 64; S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(a)(b)(d), Sch. Pt. I

F411 Sum in s. 44(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with arts. 1(2)(3)(a), 7 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(c), 4(3)(b)

F412 Sum in s. 44(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with arts. 1(2)(3)(a), 7 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(c), 4(3)(a)

F413 S. 44(5A) substituted for s. 44(5) (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 125(1)(4)-(6)

F414 Words in s. 44(5A) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(5); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F415 Words in s. 44(5A) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 5(2)

F416 Words in s. 44(5A) substituted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(6); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F417 Words in s. 44(6) inserted (temp. from 1.7.1992) by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 9), s. 6, Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2

F418 Words in s. 44(6) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(7); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F419 Words in s. 44(6) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 5(3)

F420 S. 44(6)(za) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(2)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F421 Words in s. 44(6)(za) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 29

F422 Words in s. 44(6)(za) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 10(2)(a)

F423 Words in s. 44(6) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(2)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F424 S. 44(6)(a)(ii)(b) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 125(2)(4)-(6)

F425 S. 44(7)(c) added (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 10(2)(b)

F426 Word in s. 44(7)(c) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(3), 118(2) (with s. 73)

F427 S. 44(7A) inserted (temp. from 1.7.1992) by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 9), ss. 6, 7(2), Sch. 4 Pt. I paras. 1, 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C32 S. 44(1)(a) modified (6.4.2016) in accordance with Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5 (N.I.)), ss. 8(1)(e), 9, 53(3), Sch. 5 (with s. 8(9)(b))

C33 S. 44(5A) modified (29.12.2000) by S.R. 2000/360, reg. 2

Marginal Citations

M4 1978 c. 30.

[F428 44A Deemed earnings factors N.I.

[F429 (A1) Subsections (1) to (4) below apply to the first appointed year or any subsequent tax year before 2010–11.]

(1) For the purposes of section 44(6)(za) above, if any of the conditions in subsection (2) below is satisfied for a relevant year [F430 to which this subsection applies], a pensioner is deemed to have an earnings factor for that year which—

(a) is derived from [F431 so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F432 the applicable limit] and] on which primary Class 1 contributions were paid; and

(b) is equal to the amount which, when added to any other earnings factors taken into account under that provision, produces an aggregate of earnings factors equal to the low earnings threshold.

(2) The conditions referred to in subsection (1) above are that—

(a) the pensioner would, apart from this section, have an earnings factor for the year—

(i) equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor for the year; but

(ii) less than the low earnings threshold for the year;

(b) [F433 carer’s allowance]—

(i) was payable to the pensioner throughout the year; or

(ii) would have been so payable but for the fact that under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits;

(c) for the purposes of paragraph 5(7)(b) of Schedule 3, the pensioner is taken to be precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home throughout the year by virtue of—

(i) the fact that child benefit was payable to him in respect of a child under the age of six; or

(ii) his satisfying such other condition as may be prescribed; or

(d) the pensioner is a person satisfying the requirement in subsection (3) below to whom long-term incapacity benefit [F434 or qualifying employment and support allowance] was payable throughout the year, or would have been so payable but for the fact that—

(i) he did not satisfy the contribution conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 [F435 or, as the case may be, [F436 in paragraphs 1 and 2] of Schedule 1 to the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007]; or

(ii) under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits or of payments from an occupational pension scheme or personal pension scheme.

(3) The requirement referred to in subsection (2)(d) above is that—

(a) for one or more relevant years the pensioner has paid, or (apart from this section) is treated as having paid, primary Class 1 contributions on earnings equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor; and

(b) the years for which he has such a factor constitute at least one tenth of his working life.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b) above—

(a) a pensioner’s working life shall not include—

(i) any tax year before 1978-79; or

(ii) any year in which he is deemed under subsection (1) above to have an earnings factor by virtue of fulfilling the condition in subsection (2)(b) or (c) above; and

(b) the figure calculated by dividing his working life by ten shall be rounded to the nearest whole year (and any half year shall be rounded down).

[F437 (4A) The following do not apply to a pensioner attaining pensionable age on or after 6th April 2010—

(a) the requirement referred to in subsection (2)(d) above, and

(b) subsections (3) and (4) above.]

(5) The low earnings threshold for the first appointed year and subsequent tax years shall be £9,500 (but subject to section 130A of the Administration Act).

[F438 (5A) In subsection (1)(a) “the applicable limit” has the same meaning as in section 44.]

(6) In subsection (2)(d)(ii) above, “occupational pension scheme” and “personal pension scheme” have the same meanings as in subsection (6) of section 30DD above for the purposes of subsection (5) of that section.

[F439 (7) In subsection (2)(d) “qualifying employment and support allowance” means contributory employment and support allowance where—

(a) that allowance was payable for a continuous period of 52 weeks;

(b) that allowance included the support component under section 2(2) of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007; or

(c) in the case of—

(i) a man born between 6th April 1944 and 5th April 1947, or

(ii) a woman born between 6th April 1949 and 5th April 1951,

that allowance was payable for a continuous period of 13 weeks immediately following a period throughout which statutory sick pay was payable.]]

Textual Amendments

F428 S. 44A inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(3); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F429 S. 44A(A1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(2)

F430 Words in s. 44A(1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)

F431 Words in s. 44A(1)(a) substituted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 30

F432 Words in s. 44A(1)(a) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(2) (with s. 73)

F433 Words in s. 44A(2)(b) substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(i)

F434 Words in s. 44A(2)(d) inserted (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(a)(i)

F435 Words in s. 44A(2)(d)(i) added (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(a)(ii)

F436 Words in s. 44A(2)(d)(i) substituted (28.6.2010) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/200), regs. 1, 2

F437 S. 44A(4A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 31(4)

F438 S. 44A(5A) inserted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 4(3) (with s. 73)

F439 S. 44A(7) added (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/286), regs. 1(b), 2(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C34 S. 44A(1) modified (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 29(4); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

[F440 44B Deemed earnings factors: 2010–11 onwards N.I.

(1) This section applies to 2010–11 and subsequent tax years.

(2) For the purposes of section 44(6)(za) above, if any of Conditions A to C in subsections (3) to (5) below is satisfied for a relevant year to which this section applies, a pensioner is deemed to have an earnings factor for that year which—

(a) is derived from so much of his earnings as did not exceed [F441 the upper accrual point] and on which primary Class 1 contributions were paid; and

(b) is equal to the amount which, when added to any other earnings factors taken into account under that provision, produces an aggregate of earnings factors equal to the low earnings threshold.

(3) Condition A is that the pensioner would, apart from this section, have an earnings factor for the year—

(a) equal to or greater than the qualifying earnings factor (“the QEF”) for the year, but

(b) less than the low earnings threshold for the year.

(4) Condition B is that the pensioner—

(a) would, apart from this section and section 44C below, have an earnings factor for the year less than the QEF for the year, but

(b) is entitled to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits for that year under section 44C below equal to the difference between the QEF for the year and the earnings factor mentioned in paragraph (a) above.

(5) Condition C is that the pensioner is entitled to 52 earnings factor credits for that year under section 44C below.

(6) This section has effect in relation to the flat rate introduction year and any subsequent tax year as if—

(a) subsection (2)(b) above referred to an aggregate of earnings factors greater than the QEF, but less than the low earnings threshold, for the year (rather than to one equal to that threshold); and

(b) Condition A in subsection (3) above (and the reference to it in subsection (2) above) were omitted.

(7) In this section—

F442 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) “the low earnings threshold” means the low earnings threshold for the year concerned as specified in section 44A above; and

(c) in subsections (3) and (4) above, any reference to the pensioner's earnings factor for a relevant year is to be construed in accordance with section 44(6)(za) above.]

Textual Amendments

F440 Ss. 44B, 44C inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 7(1)

F441 Words in s. 44B(2)(a) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 7 para. 5 (with s. 73)

F442 S. 44B(7)(a) repealed (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 73)

[F440 44C Earnings factor credits N.I.

(1) This section applies, for the purposes of Conditions B and C in section 44B(4) and (5) above, to 2010–11 and subsequent tax years.

(2) In respect of each week—

(a) which falls in a relevant year to which this section applies, and

(b) in respect of which a pensioner is eligible for earnings factor enhancement,

the pensioner is entitled to an earnings factor credit equal to 1/52 of the QEF for that year.

This is subject to subsection (5) below.

(3) A pensioner is eligible for earnings factor enhancement in respect of a week if one or more of the following apply—

(a) he was a relevant carer in respect of that week for the purposes of section 23A above (see section 23A(3));

(b) carer's allowance was payable to him for any part of that week, or would have been so payable but for the fact that under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits;

(c) severe disablement allowance was payable to him for any part of that week;

(d) long-term incapacity benefit was payable to him for any part of that week or would have been so payable but for the fact that—

(i) he did not satisfy the contribution conditions in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to this Act, or

(ii) under regulations the amount payable to him was reduced to nil because of his receipt of other benefits or of payments from an occupational pension scheme or personal pension scheme;

(e) he satisfies such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(4) In subsection (3)(d)(ii) above “occupational pension scheme” and “personal pension scheme” have the meanings given by subsection (6) of section 30DD above for the purposes of subsection (5) of that section.

(5) For the purposes of Condition B in section 44B(4) above a person is not entitled to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits in respect of a year that is greater than the difference referred to in that Condition.

(6) For the purposes of this section a week that falls partly in one tax year and partly in another is to be treated as falling in the year in which it begins and not in the following year.

(7) In section 44B above and this section—

(a) “the QEF” means the qualifying earnings factor, and

(b) any reference to a person being entitled to an earnings factor credit of a particular amount (or to an aggregate amount of earnings factor credits) for a year is a reference to the person being treated as having for that year an earnings factor (within the meaning of section 44(6)(za) above) of the amount in question by virtue of subsection (2) above.]

Textual Amendments

F440 Ss. 44B, 44C inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 7(1)

45 The additional pension in a Category A retirement pension. N.I.

(1) The weekly rate of the additional pension in a Category A retirement pension in any case where the pensioner attained pensionable age in a tax year before 6th April 1999 shall be [F443 the sum of the following—

(a) in relation to any surpluses in the pensioner's earnings factors,] the weekly equivalent of 1 1/4 per cent. of the [F444 adjusted] amount of the surpluses mentioned in section 44(3)(b) above [F445 ; and

(b) if the pensioner has one or more units of additional pension, a specified amount for each of those units.]

(2) The weekly rate of the additional pension in a Category A retirement pension in any case where the pensioner attained pensionable age in a tax year after 5th April 1999 shall be [F446 the sum of the following]—

(a) in relation to any surpluses in the pensioner’s earnings factors for the tax years in the period beginning with 1978-79 and ending with 1987-88, the weekly equivalent of 25/N per cent. of the [F444 adjusted] amount of those surpluses; and

(b) in relation to any surpluses in the pensioner’s earnings factors in a tax year after 1987-88 [F447 but before the first appointed year], the weekly equivalent of the relevant percentage of the [F444 adjusted] amount of those surpluses [F448 ; and

(c) in relation to any tax years falling within subsection (3A) below, the weekly equivalent of the amount calculated in accordance with Schedule 4A to this Act][F449 ; and

(d) in relation to the flat rate introduction year and subsequent tax years, the weekly equivalent of the amount calculated in accordance with Schedule 4B to this Act][F450 ; and

(e) if the pensioner has one or more units of additional pension, a specified amount for each of those units].

[F451 (2A) For the purposes of subsections (1)(b) and (2)(e) the “specified amount” is an amount to be specified by the Department in regulations.]

(3) In subsection (2)(b) above, “relevant percentage” means—

(a) 20/N per cent., where the pensioner attained pensionable age in 2009-10 or any subsequent tax year;

(b) (20+X)/N per cent., where the pensioner attained pensionable age in a tax year falling within the period commencing with 1999-2000 and ending with 2008-9.

[F452 (3A) The following tax years fall within this subsection—

(a) the first appointed year;

(b) subsequent tax years [F453 before the flat rate introduction year].]

(4) In this section—

(a) X = 0.5 for each tax year by which the tax year in which the pensioner attained pensionable age precedes 2009-10; and

(b) N = the number of tax years in the pensioner’s working life which fall after 5th April 1978;

but paragraph (b) above is subject, in particular, to subsection (5) and, where applicable, section 46 below.

(5) Regulations may direct that in prescribed cases or classes of cases any tax year shall be disregarded for the purpose of calculating N under subsection (4)(b) above, if it is a tax year after 5th April 1978 in which the pensioner—

(a) was credited with contributions or earnings under this Act by virtue of regulations under section 22(5) above, or

(b) was precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home, or

(c) in prescribed circumstances, would have been treated as falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above,

but not so as to reduce the number of years below 20.

(6) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above, the weekly equivalent of [F454 any amount] shall be calculated by dividing that amount by 52 and rounding the result to the nearest whole penny, taking any 1/2p as nearest to the next whole penny.

(7) Where the amount falling to be rounded under subsection (6) above is a sum less than 1/2p, the amount calculated under that subsection shall be taken to be zero, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or the Administration Act.

(8) The sums which are the weekly rate of the additional pension in a Category A retirement pension are subject to alteration by orders made by the Department under section 132 of the Administration Act.

Textual Amendments

F443 Words in s. 45(1)(a) inserted (16.7.2015 for specified purposes, 12.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 4(2)(a); S.R. 2015/307, art. 2(2)(l); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F444 Words in s. 45(1)(2)(a)(b) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(8)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F445 S. 45(1)(b) and preceding word inserted (16.7.2015 for specified purposes, 12.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 4(2)(b); S.R. 2015/307, art. 2(2)(l); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F446 Words in s. 45(2) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 30(1)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F447 Words in s. 45(2)(b) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 30(1)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F448 S. 45(2)(c) and preceding word added (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 30(1)(c); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F449 S. 45(2)(d) and preceding word added (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 9(2)

F450 S. 45(2)(e) and preceding word inserted (16.7.2015 for specified purposes, 12.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 4(3); S.R. 2015/307, art. 2(2)(l); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F451 S. 45(2A) inserted (16.7.2015 for specified purposes, 12.10.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 4(4); S.R. 2015/307, art. 2(2)(l); S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F452 S. 45(3A) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 30(2); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F453 Words in s. 45(3A)(b) added (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 9(3)

F454 Words in s. 45(6) substituted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(8)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

[F455 45AA Effect of working families' tax credit and disabled person's tax credit on earnings factor N.I.

(1) For the purposes of calculating additional pension under sections 44 and 45 where, in the case of any relevant year, working families' tax credit is paid in respect of any employed earner, or disabled person's tax credit is paid to any employed earner, section 44(6)(a)(i) shall have effect as if—

(a) where that person had earnings of not less than the qualifying earnings factor for that year, being earnings upon which primary Class 1 contributions were paid or treated as paid (“qualifying earnings”) in respect of that year, the amount of those qualifying earnings were increased by the aggregate amount (“AG”) of working families' tax credit, or, as the case may be, disabled person's tax credit paid in respect of that year, and

(b) in any other case, that person had qualifying earnings in respect of that year and the amount of those qualifying earnings were equal to AG plus the qualifying earnings factor for that year.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) to the person in respect of whom working families' tax credit is paid—

(a) where it is paid to one of a couple, is a reference to the prescribed member of the couple, and

(b) in any other case, is a reference to the person to whom it is paid.

(3) A person's qualifying earnings in respect of any year cannot be treated by virtue of subsection (1) as exceeding the upper earnings limit for that year multiplied by 53.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to any woman who has made, or is treated as having made, an election under regulations under section 19(4), which has not been revoked, that her liability in respect of primary Class 1 contributions shall be at a reduced rate.

(5) In this section—

• “couple” has the same meaning as in Part 7 (see section 133);

• “relevant year” has the same meaning as in section 44.]

Textual Amendments

F455 S. 45AA inserted (3.1.2012 with retrospective effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 5(2)-(5) to the amending Act) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 5(1) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(v)

F456 45A Effect of family credit and disability working allowance on earnings factor. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F456 S. 45A repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

[F457 45B Reduction of additional pension in Category A retirement pension: pension sharing. N.I.

(1) The weekly rate of the additional pension in a Category A retirement pension shall be reduced as follows in any case where—

(a) the pensioner has become subject to a state scheme pension debit, and

(b) the debit is to any extent referable to the additional pension.

(2) If the pensioner became subject to the debit in or after the final relevant year, the weekly rate of the additional pension shall be reduced by the appropriate weekly amount.

(3) If the pensioner became subject to the debit before the final relevant year, the weekly rate of the additional pension shall be reduced by the appropriate weekly amount multiplied by the relevant revaluation percentage.

(4) The appropriate weekly amount for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) above is the weekly rate, expressed in terms of the valuation day, at which the cash equivalent, on that day, of the pension mentioned in subsection (5) below is equal to so much of the debit as is referable to the additional pension.

(5) The pension referred to above is a notional pension for the pensioner by virtue of section 44(3)(b) above which becomes payable on the later of—

(a) his attaining pensionable age, and

(b) the valuation day.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (3) above, the relevant revaluation percentage is the percentage specified, in relation to earnings factors for the tax year in which the pensioner became subject to the debit, by the last order under section 130 of the Administration Act to come into operation before the end of the final relevant year.

[F458 (7) The Department may by regulations make provision for the calculation and verification of cash equivalents for the purposes of this section.

(7A) The power conferred by subsection (7) above includes power to provide—

(a) for calculation or verification in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Government Actuary, and

(b) for things done under the regulations to be required to be done in accordance with guidance from time to time prepared by a person prescribed by the regulations.]

(8) In this section—

• “final relevant year” means the tax year immediately preceding that in which the pensioner attains pensionable age;

• “state scheme pension debit” means a debit under Article 46(1)(a) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (debit for the purposes of this Part of this Act);

• “valuation day” means the day on which the pensioner became subject to the state scheme pension debit.]

Textual Amendments

F457 S. 45B inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 47(1), Sch. 6 para. 2; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F458 S. 45B(7)(7A) substituted for s. 45B(7) (22.11.2000) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 37(2); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

46 Modifications of s. 45 for calculating the additional pension in certain benefits. N.I.

F459 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) For the purpose of determining the additional pension falling to be calculated under section 45 above by virtue of section 39(1) [F460 or 39C(1)] F461 ... above or section F462 ... [F463 48B(2)] below in a case where the deceased spouse died under pensionable age [F464 or by virtue of section 39C(1) above or section F462 ... [F463 48B(2)] below in a case where the deceased civil partner died under pensionable age], the following definition shall be substituted for the definition of “N” in section 45(4)(b) above—

[F465 N=

(a)

the number of tax years which begin after 5th April 1978 and end before the date when the entitlement to the additional pension commences, or

(b)

the number of tax years in the period—

(i)

beginning with the tax year in which the deceased spouse [F466 or civil partner] (“S”) attained the age of 16 or if later 1978 79, and

(ii)

ending immediately before the tax year in which S would have attained pensionable age if S had not died earlier.

whichever is the smaller number.]

.

[F467 (3) For the purpose of determining the additional pension falling to be calculated under section 45 above by virtue of section 48BB below in a case where the deceased spouse [F468 or civil partner] died under pensionable age, the following definition shall be substituted for the definition of “N” in section 45(4)(b) above—

“N” =

“a

the number of tax years which begin after 5th April 1978 and end before the date when the deceased spouse [F468 or civil partner] dies, or

b

the number of tax years in the period—

(i)

beginning with the tax year in which the deceased spouse [F468 or civil partner] (“S”) attained the age of 16 or, if later, 1978-79, and

(ii)

ending immediately before the tax year in which S would have attained pensionable age if S had not died earlier,

whichever is the smaller number. ”]

[F469 (4) For the purpose of determining the additional pension falling to be calculated under section 45 above by virtue of section 39C(1) above in a case where the deceased spouse or civil partner died under pensionable age, section 45 above has effect subject to the following additional modifications—

(a) the omission of subsection (2)(d), and

(b) the omission in subsection (3A)(b) of the words “before the flat rate introduction year”.]

Textual Amendments

F459 S. 46(1) repealed (13.4.1995) by The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12)), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 12(a), Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F460 Words in s. 46(2) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 4(a); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F461 Words in s. 46(2) repealed (13.4.1995) by The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12)), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 para. 12(b), Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F462 Words in s. 46(2) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 51

F463 Words in s. 46(2) substituted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 6(2) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(vii)

F464 Words in s. 46(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 77(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F465 Words in s. 46(2) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 5

F466 Words in s. 46(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 77(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F467 S. 46(3) added (8.1.2001 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 31(1); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(c)

F468 Words in s. 46(3) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 77(c); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F469 S. 46(4) added (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 6

47 Increase of Category A retirement pension for invalidity. N.I.

(1) Subject to section 61 below, the weekly rate of a Category A retirement pension shall be increased if the pensioner was entitled to an [F470 age addition to long-term incapacity benefit by virtue of regulations under section 30B(7) above] in respect of—

(a) any day falling within the period of 8 weeks ending immediately before the day on which he attains pensionable age; or

(b) the last day before the beginning of that period;

and the increase shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be of an amount equal to the appropriate weekly rate of the [F470 age addition to long-term incapacity benefit by virtue of regulations under section 30B(7) above] on that day.

(2) Where for any period the weekly rate of a Category A retirement pension includes an additional pension, for that period the relevant amount shall be deducted from the amount that would otherwise be the increase under subsection (1) above and the pensioner shall be entitled to an increase under that subsection only if there is a balance remaining after that deduction and, if there is such a balance, of an amount equal to it.

(3) In subsection (2) above the “relevant amount” means an amount equal to the additional pension, reduced by the amount of any reduction in the weekly rate of the Category A retirement pension made by virtue of [F471 section 42 of the Pensions Act].

[F472 (3A) In subsections (2) and (3) above references to additional pension do not include any amount of additional pension attributable to units of additional pension.

(3B) For units of additional pension, see section 14A.]

(4) In this section any reference to an additional pension is a reference to that pension after any increase under section 52(3) below but without any increase under paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 5 to this Act.

(5) In ascertaining for the purposes of subsection (1) above the rate of a pensioner’s [F470 age addition to long-term incapacity benefit by virtue of regulations under section 30B(7) above], regard shall be had to the rates in force from time to time.

(6) Regulations may provide that subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for the reference to 8 weeks there were substituted a reference to a larger number of weeks specified in the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F470 Words in s. 47(1)(5) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 13; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F471 Words in s. 47(3) substituted (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 33; S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

F472 S. 47(3A)(3B) inserted (12.10.2015) by The Pensions (2015 Act) (Consequential Amendments) (Units of Additional Pension) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/308), arts. 1, 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C35 S. 47 modified (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 42(4); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

S. 47 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, reg. 23

C36 S. 47(1) modified (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 42(5); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

C37 S. 47(2) modified (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 44(2); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

48 Use of former spouse’s contributions. N.I.

(1) Where a person [F473 who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016]—

(a) has been [F474 in a relevant relationship], and

(b) in respect of the tax year in which the [F475 relationship] terminated or any previous tax year, does not with his own contributions satisfy the contribution conditions for a Category A retirement pension,

then, for the purpose of enabling him to satisfy those conditions (but only in respect of any claim for a Category A retirement pension), the contributions of his former spouse [F476 or civil partner] may to the prescribed extent be treated as if they were his own contributions.

(2) Subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to any person who attained pensionable age before 6th April 1979 if the termination of his [F477 relevant relationship] also occurred before that date.

[F478 (2A) Regulations under subsection (1) may not provide for contributions of a person in respect of times on or after 6 April 2016 to be treated as contributions of another person.]

[F479 (3) Where a person has been in a relevant relationship more than once, this section applies only to the last relevant relationship and the references to his relevant relationship and his former spouse or civil partner shall be construed accordingly.]

[F479 (4) In this section, “relevant relationship” means a marriage or civil partnership.]

[F480 (5) For the purposes of this section, a civil partnership is not to be treated as having terminated—

(a) by reason of its having been—

(i) converted into a marriage under section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013;

(ii) changed into a marriage under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977;

(iii) changed into a marriage in accordance with provision made under section 10 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014; or

(iv) changed into a marriage under Part 5 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 and Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014; or

(b) by reason of a marriage which has been treated in Northern Ireland as a civil partnership ceasing to be so treated with effect from 13 January 2020.]

Textual Amendments

F473 Words in s. 48(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 48(2)

F474 Words in s. 48(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 78(2)(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F475 Word in s. 48(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 78(2)(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F476 Words in s. 48(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 78(2)(c); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F477 Words in s. 48(2) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 78(3); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F478 S. 48(2A) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 48(3)

F479 S. 48(3)(4) substituted for s. 48(3) (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 78(4); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F480 S. 48(5) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(5) (with regs. 6-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C38 S. 48(1) modified (6.4.2016) in accordance with Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), ss. 8(1)(e), 9, 53(3), Sch. 5 (with s. 8(9)(b))

[F481 48A Category B retirement pension for married person or civil partner N.I.

(1) A married person is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her spouse if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the spouse—

(i) has attained pensionable age, and

(ii) satisfies the relevant contribution condition.

(2) But subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a man whose spouse was born before 6 April 1950.

[F482 (2A) And subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a woman whose wife was born before 6 April 1950.]

(3) A person who is a civil partner is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her civil partner (“the contributing civil partner”) if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the contributing civil partner—

(i) was born on or after 6 April 1950,

(ii) has attained pensionable age, and

(iii) satisfies the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

(4) A Category B retirement pension payable under this section is payable at the weekly rate specified in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 4.

(5) A person ceases to be entitled to a Category B retirement pension under this section if—

(a) the person's spouse or civil partner dies (but see sections 48B and 51), or

(b) the person otherwise ceases to be married or in the civil partnership (but see section 48AA).

(6) In subsection (1)(b)(ii) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the spouse was born before 6 April 1945, the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3;

(b) in any other case, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

[F483 (6A) For the purposes of subsection (5)(b), a person is not to be treated as having ceased to be in a civil partnership—

(a) by reason of its having been—

(i) converted into a marriage under section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013;

(ii) changed into a marriage under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977;

(iii) changed into a marriage in accordance with provision made under section 10 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014; or

(iv) changed into a marriage under Part 5 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 and Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2014; or

(b) by reason of a marriage which has been treated in Northern Ireland as a civil partnership ceasing to be so treated with effect from 13 January 2020.]

(7) For the purposes of any provision of this Act as it applies in relation to this section, no account is to be taken of any earnings factors of the spouse or contributing civil partner for the tax year beginning with 6 April 2016 or any later tax year.

[F484 (8) Section 51ZA contains special rules for cases involving changes in gender.]]

Textual Amendments

F481 Ss. 48A, 48AA substituted for s. 48A (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 52

F482 S. 48A(2A) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(6)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F483 S. 48A(6A) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(6)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

F484 S. 48A(8) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(6)(c) (with regs. 6-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C39 S. 48A(1)(3) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5 (N.I.)), ss. 8(1)(e), 9, 53(3), Sch. 5 (with s. 8(9)(b))

[F481 48AA Category B retirement pension for divorcee or former civil partner N.I.

(1) A person who has been in a marriage that has been dissolved is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her former spouse if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age—

(i) before 6 April 2016, and

(ii) before the marriage was dissolved, and

(b) the former spouse—

(i) attained pensionable age before the marriage was dissolved, and

(ii) satisfied the relevant contribution condition.

(2) But subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a man whose former spouse was born before 6 April 1950.

[F485 (2A) And subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a woman whose former wife was born before 6 April 1950.]

(3) A person who has been in a civil partnership that has been dissolved is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her former civil partner if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age—

(i) before 6 April 2016, and

(ii) before the civil partnership was dissolved, and

(b) the former civil partner—

(i) was born on or after 6 April 1950,

(ii) attained pensionable age before the civil partnership was dissolved, and

(iii) satisfied the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

(4) During any period when the person's former spouse or civil partner is alive, a Category B retirement pension payable under this section is payable at the weekly rate specified in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 4.

(5) During any period after the person's former spouse or civil partner is dead, a Category B retirement pension payable under this section is payable at the weekly rate of the basic pension specified in section 44(4).

(6) In subsection (1)(b)(ii) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the former spouse was born before 6 April 1945, the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3;

(b) in any other case, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

(7) For the purposes of any provision of this Act as it applies in relation to this section, no account is to be taken of any earnings factors of the former spouse or civil partner for the tax year beginning with 6 April 2016 or any later tax year.

(8) A voidable marriage or civil partnership which has been annulled is to be treated for the purposes of this section as if it had been a valid marriage or civil partnership which was dissolved at the date of annulment.

[F486 (9) Section 51ZA contains special rules for cases involving changes in gender.]]

Textual Amendments

F481 Ss. 48A, 48AA substituted for s. 48A (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 52

F485 S. 48AA(2A) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(7)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F486 S. 48AA(9) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(7)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

[F487 48B Category B retirement pension for widows and widowers. N.I.

[F488 (1) A person (“the pensioner”) whose spouse died while they were married is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her spouse if—

(a) the pensioner attained pensionable age—

(i) before 6 April 2016, and

(ii) before the spouse died, and

(b) the spouse satisfied the relevant contribution condition.]

[F488 (1ZA) But subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a man who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010.]

[F489 (1ZAA) And subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a woman who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010 if the spouse was a woman.]

[F488 (1ZB) In subsection (1)(b) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the spouse—

(i) died before 6 April 2010, or

(ii) died on or after that date having attained pensionable age before that date,

the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in any other case, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.]

[F488 (1A) A person (“the pensioner”) whose civil partner died while they were civil partners of each other is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his or her civil partner if—

(a) the pensioner attained pensionable age—

(i) on or after 6 April 2010 but before 6 April 2016, and

(ii) before the civil partner died, and

(b) the civil partner satisfied the relevant contribution condition.]

[F488 (1B) In subsection (1A)(b) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the deceased civil partner attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010, the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in any other case, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.]

(2) A Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of subsection (1) [F490 or (1A)] above shall be payable at a weekly rate corresponding to—

(a) the weekly rate of the basic pension, plus

(b) half of the weekly rate of the additional pension,

determined in accordance with the provision of sections 44 to [F491 45B] above [F492 and [F493 Schedules 4A and 4B] to this Act] as they apply in relation to a Category A retirement pension, but subject to section [F494 46] above and the modifications in subsection (3) below and section 48C(4) below.

(3) Where the spouse [F495 or civil partner] died under pensionable age, references in the provisions of section 44 to [F491 45B] above [F492 and Schedule 4A to this Act] as applied by subsection (2) above to the tax year in which the pensioner attained pensionable age shall be taken as references to the tax year in which the spouse [F495 or civil partner] died.

[F496 (3A) For the purposes of any provision of this Act as it applies in relation to this section, no account is to be taken of any earnings factors of the deceased for the tax year beginning with 6 April 2016 or any later tax year.]

[F497 (4) A woman (“the pensioner”) whose husband died before she attained pensionable age is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of her husband if—

(a) she attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the condition in subsection (5) is satisfied.]

[F497 (4A) A man (“the pensioner”) whose wife died before he attained pensionable age is entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of his wife if—

(a) he attained pensionable age on or after 6 April 2010 but before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the condition in subsection (5) would have been satisfied on the assumption mentioned in subsection (7).]

(5) The condition is that the pensioner—

(a) is entitled (or is treated by regulations as entitled) to a widow’s pension by virtue of section 38 above, and

(b) became entitled to that pension in consequence of the spouse’s death.

(6) A Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of subsection (4) [F498 or (4A)] above shall be payable—

(a) where the pensioner is a woman, at the same weekly rate as her widow’s pension and

(b) where the pensioner is a man, at the same weekly rate as that of the pension to which he would have been entitled by virtue of section 38 above on the assumption mentioned in subsection (7) below.

(7) The assumption referred to in subsections [F499 (4A)] and (6) above is that a man is entitled to a pension by virtue of section 38 above on the same terms and conditions, and at the same rate, as a woman.

[F500 (8) Nothing in subsections (4) to (7) above applies in a case where the spouse dies on or after [F501 9 April 2001].]

[F502 (9) Subsection (10) applies in the case of a pensioner entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of subsection (1) or (1A) whose spouse or civil partner—

(a) attained pensionable age on or after 6th April 2016, and

(b) died after attaining pensionable age.

(10) Where this subsection applies, the amount determined in accordance with subsection (2) as the weekly rate of the additional pension payable to the pensioner shall be increased by such percentage as equals the overall percentage by which, had the pension been in payment as from the date when the spouse or civil partner reached pensionable age until the spouse’s or civil partner’s death, that weekly rate would have increased during that period by virtue of orders under section 132 of the Administration Act (annual uprating of benefits).]

[F503 (11) Section 51ZA contains special rules for cases involving changes in gender.]]

Textual Amendments

F487 Ss. 48A-48C substituted for ss. 49, 50 (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 3(1)

F488 S. 48B(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 48B(1)-(1A) (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 53(2)

F489 S. 48B(1ZAA) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(8)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F490 Words in s. 48B(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 80(3); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F491 Words in s. 48B(2)(3) substituted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 10; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F492 Words in s. 48B(2)(3) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(10); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F493 Words in s. 48B(2) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 8

F494 Figure in s. 48B(2) substituted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 8(b) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(ix)

F495 Words in s. 48B(3) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 80(4); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F496 S. 48B(3A) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 53(3)

F497 S. 48B(4)-(4A) substituted for s. 48B(4) (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 53(4)

F498 Words in s. 48B(6) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 53(5)

F499 Word in s. 48B(7) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 53(6)

F500 S. 48B(8) added (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 5; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F501 Words in s. 48B(8) substituted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 15; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F502 S. 48B(9)(10) added (6.4.2016) by The Pensions (2015 Act) (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/78), arts. 1, 2(3)

F503 S. 48B(11) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(8)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C40 S. 48B restricted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 3(3)

C41 S. 48B modified (6.10.2002) by S.R. 2001/441, art. 2

C42 S. 48B(1)(1A)(4)(4A) modified (6.4.2016) in accordance with Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5 (N.I.)), ss. 8(1)(e), 9, 53(3), Sch. 5 (with s. 8(9)(b))

[F504 48BB Category B retirement pension: entitlement by reference to benefits under section 39A or 39B. N.I.

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where a person (“the pensioner”) [F505 who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016]—

(a) was, immediately before attaining that age, entitled to a widowed parent’s allowance in consequence of the death of his or her spouse [F506 or civil partner]; and

(b) has not [F507 following that death married or formed a civil partnership].

(2) The pensioner shall be entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of the spouse [F506 or civil partner], which shall be payable at the same weekly rate as the widowed parent’s allowance.

(3) Subsections (4) to (10) below apply where a person (“the pensioner”) [F508 who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016]—

(a) was in consequence of the death of his or her spouse [F506 or civil partner] either—

(i) entitled to a bereavement allowance [F509 under section 39B (before that section was repealed)] at any time prior to attaining that age, or

(ii) entitled to a widowed parent’s allowance at any time when over the age of 45 (but not immediately before attaining pensionable age); and

(b) has not [F510 following that death married or formed a civil partnership].

(4) The pensioner shall be entitled to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of the spouse [F506 or civil partner].

(5) A Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of subsection (4) above shall be payable at a weekly rate corresponding to the weekly rate of the additional pension determined in accordance with the provisions of sections 44 to [F511 45AA] [F512 and 45B] above [F513 and [F514 Schedules 4A and 4B] to this Act] as they apply in relation to a Category A retirement pension, but [F515 subject to section [F516 46] above and to the following provisions of this section and the modification in section 48C(4) below.]

(6) Where the spouse [F506 or civil partner] died under pensionable age, references in the provisions of sections 44 to [F517 45AA] [F518 and 45B] above [F513 and Schedule 4A to this Act], as applied by subsection (5) above, to the tax year in which the pensioner attained pensionable age shall be taken as references to the tax year in which the spouse [F506 or civil partner] died.

(7) Where the spouse [F506 or civil partner] dies after [F519 5th October 2002], the pension payable by virtue of subsection (4) above shall (before making any reduction required by subsection (8) below) be one half of the amount which it would be apart from this subsection.

(8) Where the pensioner was under the age of 55 at the relevant time, the weekly rate of the pension shall be reduced by 7 per cent. of what it would be apart from this subsection multiplied—

(a) by the number of years by which the pensioner’s age at that time was less than 55 (any fraction of a year being counted as a year), or

(b) by ten, if that number exceeds ten.

(9) In subsection (8) above “the relevant time” means—

(a) where the pensioner became entitled to a widowed parent’s allowance in consequence of the death of the spouse [F506 or civil partner], the time when the pensioner’s entitlement to that allowance ended; and

(b) otherwise, the time of the spouse’s [F520 or civil partner's] death.

(10) The amount determined in accordance with subsections (5) to (9) above as the weekly rate of the pension payable to the pensioner by virtue of subsection (4) above shall be increased by such percentage as equals the overall percentage by which, had the pension been in payment as from the date of the spouse’s [F520 or civil partner's] death until the date when the pensioner attained pensionable age, that weekly rate would have been increased during that period by virtue of any orders under section 132 of the Administration Act (annual up-rating of benefits).]

Textual Amendments

F504 S. 48BB inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 53; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F505 Words in s. 48BB(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 54(2)

F506 Words in s. 48BB inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 81(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F507 Words in s. 48BB(1)(b) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 81(4); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F508 Words in s. 48BB(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 54(3)

F509 Words in s. 48BB(3)(a)(i) inserted (6.4.2017) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 16; S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F510 Words in s. 48BB(3)(b) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 81(4); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F511 Figure in s. 48BB(5) substituted (3.1.2012 with retrospective effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 5(2)-(5) to the amending Act) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 9(2)(a) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(xi)

F512 Words in s. 48BB(5) inserted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 9(2)(b) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(xi)

F513 Words in s. 48BB(5)(6) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(11); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F514 Words in s. 48BB(5) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 9(a)

F515 Words in s. 48BB(5) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 9(b)

F516 Figure in s. 48BB(5) substituted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 9(2)(d) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(xi)

F517 Figure in s. 48BB(6) substituted (3.1.2012 with retrospective effect in accordance with Sch. 3 para. 5(2)-(5) to the amending Act) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 9(3)(a) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(xi)

F518 Words in s. 48BB(6) inserted (3.1.2012) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(1), Sch. 3 para. 9(3)(b) (with s. 73); S.R. 2011/441, art. 2(c)(xi)

F519 Words in s. 48BB(7) substituted (retrospectively) by virtue of 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 35(1)(a)(2)(b)

F520 Words in s. 48BB inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 81(3); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C43 S. 48BB modified (6.10.2002) by S.R. 2001/441, art. 2

C44 S. 48BB(1)(3) modified (6.4.2016) in accordance with Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5 (N.I.)), ss. 8(1)(e), 9, 53(3), Sch. 5 (with s. 8(9)(b))

[F521 48C Category B retirement pension: general. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person’s entitlement to a Category B retirement pension shall begin on the day on which the conditions of entitlement become satisfied and shall continue for life.

(2) In any case where—

(a) a person would, apart from section 43(1) above, be entitled both to a Category A and to a Category B retirement pension, and

(b) section 47(1) above would apply for the increase of the Category A retirement pension,

section 47(1) above shall be taken as applying also for the increase of the Category B retirement pension, subject to reduction or extinguishment of the increase by the application of section 47(2) above or section 42(5) of the Pensions Act.

(3) In the case of a pensioner whose spouse died on or before [F522 5th October 2002]], [F523 section] 48B(2)(b) above shall have effect with the omission of the words “half of”.

(4) In the application of the provisions of section 44 to [F524 45B] above [F525 and [F526 Schedules 4A and 4B] to this Act] by virtue of sections F527 ... [F528 48B(2) or 48BB(5)] above, references in those provisions to the pensioner shall be taken as references to the spouse [F529 or civil partner].

Textual Amendments

F521 Ss. 48A-48C substituted for ss. 49, 50 (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 3(1)

F522 Words in s. 48C(3) substituted (retrospectively) by virtue of 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 35(1)(a)(2)(b)

F523 Word in s. 48C(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 55(2)

F524 Words in s. 48C(4) substituted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 11; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F525 Words in s. 48C(4) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(12); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F526 Words in s. 48C(4) substituted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 2 para. 10

F527 Word in s. 48C(4) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 55(3)

F528 Words in s. 48C(4) substituted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 6; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F529 Words in s. 48C(4) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(3), Sch. para. 2

F521 X1 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F521 X2 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F531 51 Category B retirement pension for widowers and surviving civil partners who attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010 N.I.

(1) A [F532 person] (the pensioner) whose [F533 spouse] died while they were married is entitled to a Category B retirement pension if—

(a) they were both over pensionable age at the time of the death,

(b) the pensioner attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010, and

(c) the [F533 spouse] satisfied the relevant contribution condition.

(2) But subsection (1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on [F534 —

(a) a woman whose husband has died, or

(b)] a man whose wife died before 6 April 1979.

(3) In subsection (1)(c) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the spouse attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010, the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in a case where the spouse attained pensionable age on or after 6 April 2010, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

(4) A person (“the pensioner”) whose civil partner died while they were civil partners of each other is entitled to a Category B retirement pension if—

(a) they were both over pensionable age at the time of the death,

(b) the pensioner attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010, and

(c) the deceased civil partner satisfied the relevant contribution condition.

(5) In subsection (4)(c) “the relevant contribution condition” means—

(a) in a case where the deceased civil partner attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010, the conditions in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3, and

(b) in a case where the deceased civil partner attained pensionable age on or after 6 April 2010, the condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3.

(6) The weekly rate of a person's Category B retirement pension under this section is to be determined in accordance with sections 44 to 45AA and [F535 Schedules 4A and 4B] as they apply in the case of a Category A retirement pension taking references in those sections to the pensioner as references to the spouse or deceased civil partner.

(7) But in the case of—

(a) a man whose wife dies after 5 October 2002,

[F536 (aa) a surviving party to a marriage of a same sex couple,] or

(b) a surviving civil partner,

any amount of additional pension falling to be calculated under subsection (6) is to be halved.

(8) For the purposes of any provision of this Act as it applies in relation to this section, no account is to be taken of any earnings factors of the spouse or deceased civil partner for the tax year beginning with 6 April 2016 or any later tax year.

(9) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person becomes entitled to a Category B retirement pension under this section on the day on which the conditions of entitlement become satisfied and the entitlement continues throughout the person's life.

[F537 (10) Subsection (11) applies in the case of a pensioner whose spouse or civil partner—

(a) attained pensionable age on or after 6 April 2016, and

(b) died after attaining pensionable age.

(11) Where this subsection applies, the amount determined in accordance with this section as the weekly rate of the additional pension payable to the pensioner shall be increased by such percentage as equals the overall percentage by which, had the pension been in payment as from the date when the spouse or civil partner reached pensionable age until the spouse’s or civil partner’s death, that weekly rate would have increased during that period by virtue of orders under section 132 of the Administration Act (annual up-rating of benefits).]

[F538 (12) Section 51ZA contains special rules for cases involving changes in gender.]]

Textual Amendments

F531 S. 51 substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 56

F532 Word in s. 51(1) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(9)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F533 Word in s. 51(1) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(9)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

F534 Words in s. 51(2) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(9)(c) (with regs. 6-9)

F535 Words in s. 51(6) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Pensions (2015 Act) (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/78), arts. 1, 2(4)(a)

F536 S. 51(7)(aa) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(9)(d) (with regs. 6-9)

F537 S. 51(10)(11) added (6.4.2016) by The Pensions (2015 Act) (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/78), arts. 1, 2(4)(b)

F538 S. 51(12) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(9)(e) (with regs. 6-9)

[F539 51ZA. Special provision for married person whose spouse changed gender N.I.

(1) Section 48A(2A) does not prevent a woman from being entitled to a Category B retirement pension under section 48 in a case where—

(a) her spouse is a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and

(b) the marriage subsisted before the time when that certificate was issued.

(2) Section 48AA(2A) does not prevent a woman from being entitled to a Category B retirement pension under section 48AA in a case where—

(a) her former spouse was, at the time the marriage was dissolved, a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and

(b) the marriage subsisted before the time when that certificate was issued.

(3) Section 48B(1ZAA) does not prevent a woman being entitled to a Category B retirement pension under section 48B in a case where—

(a) her dead spouse was, at the time of death, a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and

(b) the marriage subsisted before the time when that certificate was issued,

and in such a case the reference in section 48B(1ZB)(a)(ii) to the spouse having attained pensionable age before 6 April 2010 is to be read as a reference to the spouse having been born before 6 April 1945.

(4) Section 51(1) does not confer a right to a Category B retirement pension on a woman if—

(a) her dead spouse was, at the time of death, a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and

(b) the marriage subsisted before the time when that certificate was issued.]

Textual Amendments

F539 S. 51ZA inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(10) (with regs. 6-9)

[F540 51A Special provision for married people. N.I.

(1) This section has effect where, apart from section 43(1) above, a married person [F541 or civil partner] would be entitled both—

(a) to a Category A retirement pension, and

(b) to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of the other party to the marriage [F542 or civil partnership].

(2) If by reason of a deficiency of contributions the basic pension in the Category A retirement pension falls short of the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part I, paragraph 5, that basic pension shall be increased by the lesser of—

(a) the amount of the shortfall, or

(b) the amount of the weekly rate of the Category B retirement pension.

(3) This section does not apply in any case where both parties to the marriage attained pensionable age before 6th April 1979.]

Textual Amendments

F540 S. 51A inserted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(6)

F541 Words in s. 51A(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 83(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F542 Words in s. 51A(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 83(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

52 Special provision for surviving spouses. N.I.

(1) This section has effect where, apart from section 43(1) above, a person would be entitled both—

(a) to a Category A retirement pension; and

[F543 (b) to a Category B retirement pension by virtue of the contributions of a spouse [F544 or civil partner] who has died.]

(2) If by reason of a deficiency of contributions the basic pension in the Category A retirement pension falls short of the full amount, that basic pension shall be increased by the lesser of—

(a) the amount of the shortfall, or

(b) the amount of the basic pension in the rate of the Category B retirement pension,

“full amount”meaning for this purpose the sum specified in section 44(4) above as the weekly rate of the basic pension in a Category A retirement pension.

(3) If the additional pension in the Category A retirement pension falls short of the [F545 maximum amount specified in regulations], that additional pension shall be increased by the lesser of—

(a) the amount of the shortfall, or

(b) the amount of the additional pension in the Category B retirement pension.

[F546 (3A) In subsection (3) the references to additional pension in a Category A or Category B retirement pension do not include any amount of additional pension attributable to units of additional pension.

(3B) If an amount of additional pension in the Category B retirement pension is attributable to units of additional pension, the additional pension in the Category A retirement pension is increased by that amount (in addition to any increase under subsection (3)).]

(4) This section does not apply in any case where the death of the wife or husband, as the case may be, occurred before 6th April 1979 and the surviving spouse had attained pensionable age before that date.

Textual Amendments

F543 S. 52(1)(b) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(7)

F544 Words in s. 52(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 84; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F545 Words in s. 52(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 57

F546 S. 52(3A)(3B) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 5; S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

F547 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F547 S. 53 repealed (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, 168, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(6), Sch. 5 Pt. II

54 Category A and Category B retirement pensions: supplemental provisions. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide that in the case of a person of any prescribed description who—

(a) has become entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension F548 ... ; and

(b) elects in such manner and in accordance with such conditions as may be prescribed that the regulations shall apply in his case,

this Part of this Act shall have effect as if that person had not become entitled to such a retirement pension [F549 or to a shared additional pension].

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may make such modifications of the provisions of this Part of this Act, or of those of [F550 Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] as those provisions apply in a case where a person makes an election under the regulations, as may appear to the Department necessary or expedient.

F551 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F552 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F548 Words in s. 54(1)(a) repealed (6.4.2005) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/3213), Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(5), Sch. 5 Pt. II (as amended by S.I. 2005/255, art. 273(3))

F549 Words in s. 54(1) inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 74, Sch. 9 para. 12; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

F550 Words in s. 54(2) substituted (5.10.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 44; S.R. 1999/407, art. 2(a)

F551 S. 54(3) repealed (6.4.2010) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 2(5), Sch. 1 para. 6, Sch. 6 Pt. 1

F552 S. 54(4) repealed (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 131(2), 168, Sch. 5 Pt. II

[F553 55 Pension increase or lump sum where entitlement to retirement pension is deferred N.I.

(1) Where a person's entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred, Schedule 5 to this Act has effect.

(2) In that Schedule—

• paragraph A1 makes provision enabling an election to be made where the pensioner's entitlement is deferred

• paragraphs 1 to 3 make provision about increasing pension where the pensioner's entitlement is deferred

• paragraphs 3A and 3B make provision about lump sum payments where the pensioner's entitlement is deferred

• paragraph 3C makes provision enabling an election to be made where the pensioner's deceased spouse [F554 or civil partner] has deferred entitlement

• paragraphs 4 to 7 make provision about increasing pension where the pensioner's deceased spouse [F554 or civil partner] has deferred entitlement

• paragraphs 7A and 7B make provision about lump sum payments where the pensioner's deceased spouse [F554 or civil partner] has deferred entitlement

• paragraphs 7C to 9 make supplementary provision.

(3) For the purposes of this Act a person's entitlement to a Category A or Category B retirement pension is deferred if and so long as that person—

[F555 (a) does not become entitled to that pension by reason only of not satisfying the conditions of section 1 of the Administration Act (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim), or]

(b) in consequence of an election under section 54(1) above, falls to be treated as not having become entitled to that pension,

and, in relation to any such pension, “period of deferment” shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F553 S. 55 substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), arts. 1(4), 273(1)

F554 Words in s. 55(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(3), Sch. para. 4(a)

F555 S. 55(3)(a) substituted (6.4.2010) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 2(5), Sch. 1 para. 7

[F556 Shared additional pension] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F556 Ss. 55A-55C and cross-heading inserted (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 47(1), Sch. 6 para. 3; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. IV

[F556 55A Shared additional pension [F557 because of an old state scheme pension credit] . N.I.

[F558 (1) A person is entitled to a shared additional pension under this section if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the person is entitled to an old state scheme pension credit.]

(2) A person’s entitlement to a shared additional pension [F559 under this section] shall continue throughout his life.

(3) The weekly rate of a shared additional pension [F560 under this section] shall be the appropriate weekly amount, unless the pensioner’s entitlement to the [F561 old] state scheme pension credit arose before the final relevant year, in which case it shall be that amount multiplied by the relevant revaluation percentage.

(4) The appropriate weekly amount for the purposes of subsection (3) above is the weekly rate, expressed in terms of the valuation day, at which the cash equivalent, on that day, of the pensioner’s entitlement, or prospective entitlement, to the shared additional pension is equal to the [F562 old] state scheme pension credit.

(5) The relevant revaluation percentage for the purposes of that subsection is the percentage specified, in relation to earnings factors for the tax year in which the entitlement to the [F563 old] state scheme pension credit arose, by the last order under section 130 of the Administration Act to come into operation before the end of the final relevant year.

[F564 (6) The Department may by regulations make provision for the calculation and verification of cash equivalents for the purposes of this section.

(6A) The power conferred by subsection (6) above includes power to provide—

(a) for calculation or verification in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Government Actuary, and

(b) for things done under the regulations to be required to be done in accordance with guidance from time to time prepared by a person prescribed by the regulations.]

(7) In this section—

• “final relevant year” means the tax year immediately preceding that in which the pensioner attains pensionable age;

• “[F565 old] state scheme pension credit” means a credit under Article 46(1)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (credit for the purposes of this Part of this Act);

• “valuation day” means the day on which the pensioner becomes entitled to the [F565 old] state scheme pension credit.]

Textual Amendments

F557 Word in s. 55A heading inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(5)

F558 S. 55A(1) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(2)

F559 Words in s. 55A(2) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(3)

F560 Words in s. 55A(3) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(3)

F561 Word in s. 55A(3) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(4)

F562 Word in s. 55A(4) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(4)

F563 Word in s. 55A(5) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(4)

F564 S. 55A(6)(6A) substituted for s. 55A(6) (22.11.2000) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 37(3); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

F565 Word in s. 55A(7) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 4(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45 S. 55A: sums amended (with effect in accordance with arts. 1(2)(3)(a), 7 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(c), 4(5)

[F566 55AA Shared additional pension because of a new state scheme pension credit N.I.

(1) A person is entitled to a shared additional pension under this section if—

(a) the person attained pensionable age before 6 April 2016, and

(b) the person is entitled to a new state scheme pension credit.

(2) A person's entitlement to a shared additional pension under this section continues throughout his or her life.

(3) The weekly rate of a shared additional pension under this section is equal to the amount of the new state scheme pension credit.

(4) In this section “new state scheme pension credit” means a credit under Article 46A(2)(b) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.]

Textual Amendments

F566 S. 55AA inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C46 S. 55AA: sums amended (with effect in accordance with arts. 1(2)(3)(a), 7 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(c), 4(5)

[F556 55B Reduction of shared additional pension: pension sharing. N.I.

(1) The weekly rate of a shared additional pension shall be reduced as follows in any case where—

(a) the pensioner has become subject to [F567 an old] state scheme pension debit, and

(b) the debit is to any extent referable to the pension.

(2) If the pensioner became subject to the debit in or after the final relevant year, the weekly rate of the pension shall be reduced by the appropriate weekly amount.

(3) If the pensioner became subject to the debit before the final relevant year, the weekly rate of the additional pension shall be reduced by the appropriate weekly amount multiplied by the relevant revaluation percentage.

(4) The appropriate weekly amount for the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) above is the weekly rate, expressed in terms of the valuation day, at which the cash equivalent, on that day, of the pension mentioned in subsection (5) below is equal to so much of the debit as is referable to the shared additional pension.

(5) The pension referred to above is a notional pension for the pensioner by virtue of section [F568 55A or 55AA above (as the case may be)] which becomes payable on the later of—

(a) his attaining pensionable age, and

(b) the valuation day.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (3) above, the relevant revaluation percentage is the percentage specified, in relation to earnings factors for the tax year in which the pensioner became subject to the debit, by the last order under section 130 of the Administration Act to come into operation before the end of the final relevant year.

[F569 (7) The Department may by regulations make provision for the calculation and verification of cash equivalents for the purposes of this section.

(7A) The power conferred by subsection (7) above includes power to provide—

(a) for calculation or verification in such manner as may be approved by or on behalf of the Government Actuary, and

(b) for things done under the regulations to be required to be done in accordance with guidance from time to time prepared by a person prescribed by the regulations.]

(8) In this section—

• “final relevant year” means the tax year immediately preceding that in which the pensioner attains pensionable age;

• “[F570 old] state scheme pension debit”, means a debit under Article 46(1)(a) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (debit for the purposes of this Part of this Act);

• “valuation day” means the day on which the pensioner became subject to the state scheme pension debit.]

Textual Amendments

F567 Word in s. 55B(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 6(2)

F568 Words in s. 55B(5) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 6(3)

F569 S. 55B(7)(7A) substituted for s. 55B(7) (22.11.2000) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 37(4); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

F570 Word in s. 55B(8) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 11 para. 6(4)

[F571 55C Pension increase or lump sum where entitlement to shared additional pension is deferred N.I.

(1) Where a person's entitlement to a shared additional pension is deferred, Schedule 5A to this Act has effect.

(2) In that Schedule—

• paragraph 1 makes provision enabling an election to be made where the person's entitlement is deferred

• paragraphs 2 and 3 make provision about increasing pension where the person's entitlement is deferred

• paragraphs 4 and 5 make provision about lump sum payments where the person's entitlement is deferred.

(3) For the purposes of this Act, a person's entitlement to a shared additional pension is deferred—

(a) where he would be entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension but for the fact that his entitlement is deferred, if and so long as his entitlement to such a pension is deferred, and

(b) otherwise, if and so long as he does not become entitled to the shared additional pension by reason only of not satisfying the conditions of section 1 of the Administration Act (entitlement to benefit dependent on claim),

and, in relation to a shared additional pension, “period of deferment” shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F571 S. 55C substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), arts. 1(4), 273(2)

Child’s special allowance N.I.

56 Child’s special allowance - existing beneficiaries. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act F572 ... , a woman whose marriage has been terminated by divorce shall be entitled to a child’s special allowance at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part I, paragraph 6, if—

(a) the husband of that marriage is dead and satisfied the contribution condition for a child’s special allowance specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 6; and

(b) she is entitled to child benefit in respect of a child and either—

(i) she was so entitled immediately before that husband’s death; or

(ii) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, he was then so entitled; and

(c) either—

(i) that husband had before his death been contributing at not less than the prescribed weekly rate to the cost of providing for that child; or

(ii) at the date of that husband’s death she was entitled, under an order of a court, trust or agreement which she has taken reasonable steps to enforce, to receive (whether from that husband or from another person) payments in respect of that child at not less than that rate provided or procured by that husband.

(2) A child’s special allowance shall not be payable to a woman—

(a) for any period after her remarriage; or

(b) for any period during which she and a man to whom she is not married are living together as husband and wife.

(3) Where, apart from this subsection, a person is entitled to receive, in respect of a particular child, payment of an amount by way of a child’s special allowance, that amount shall not be payable unless one of the conditions specified in subsection (4) below is satisfied.

(4) Those conditions are—

(a) that the beneficiary would be treated for the purposes of Part IX of this Act as having the child living with him; or

(b) that the requisite contributions are being made to the cost of providing for the child.

(5) The condition specified in subsection (4)(b) above is to be treated as satisfied if, but only if—

(a) such contributions are being made at a weekly rate not less than the amount referred to in subsection (3) above—

(i) by the beneficiary; or

(ii) where the beneficiary is one of two spouses residing together, by them together; and

(b) except in prescribed cases, the contributions are over and above those required for the purpose of satisfying section 139(1)(b) below.

(6) A child’s special allowance shall not be payable for any period after 5th April 1987 except to a woman who immediately before 6th April 1987—

(a) satisfied the conditions set out in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) above; and

(b) was not barred from payment of the allowance for either of the reasons mentioned in subsection (2) above,

and who has so continued since 6th April 1987.

Textual Amendments

F572 Words in s. 56(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

Provisions relating to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit and invalidity benefit N.I.

F573 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F573 S. 57 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 14, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F574 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F574 S. 58 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 15, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Invalidity benefit - disqualifications, etc. N.I.

F575 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F575 S. 59 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 16, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Partial satisfaction of contribution conditions N.I.

60 Partial satisfaction of contribution conditions. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, regulations may provide for persons to be entitled to any of the following benefits, namely—

(a) a widowed mother’s allowance,

[F576 (aa) a widowed parent’s allowance,]

F577 (ab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a widow’s pension,

(c) a Category A retirement pension,

(d) a Category B retirement pension,

in cases where the first contribution condition specified in relation to that benefit in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to this Act is satisfied and the second contribution condition so specified is not.

(2) Subject to subsection (8) below, in any case where—

(a) an employed earner who is married [F578 or a civil partner] dies as a result of—

(i) a personal injury of a kind mentioned in section 94(1) below, or

(ii) a disease or injury such as is mentioned in section 108(1) below, and

(b) the contribution conditions are not wholly satisfied in respect of [F579 the employed earner],

those conditions shall be taken to be satisfied for the purposes of [F580 the entitlement of the employed earner’s [F581 widow, widower or surviving civil partner]] to any of the benefits specified in subsection (3) below.

(3) The benefits referred to in subsection (2) above are the following—

F582 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a widowed mother’s allowance;

[F583 (ba) a widowed parent’s allowance,]

F582 (bb) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) a widow’s pension;

[F584 (d) a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48B [F585 or 48BB] above.]

(4) Subject to [F586 subsection (7)] below, regulations under subsection (1) above shall provide for benefit payable by virtue of any such regulations to be payable at a rate, or to be of an amount, less than that which would be applicable under this Part of this Act had both of the relevant contribution conditions been fully satisfied.

(5) Subject to [F586 subsection (7)] below, the rate or amount prescribed by regulations under subsection (1) above may vary with the extent to which the relevant contribution conditions are satisfied (and may be nil).

F587 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) Regulations may provide that where—

(a) a person is entitled by virtue of subsection (1) above to a Category A or Category B retirement pension consisting only of the additional pension with no basic pension, and

(b) that retirement pension, and any graduated retirement benefit to which he may be entitled, together amount to less than the prescribed rate,

that person’s entitlement as respects that retirement pension shall be satisfied either altogether or for a prescribed period by the making of a single payment of the prescribed amount.

(8) Subsection (2) above only has effect where the employed earner’s death occurred on or after 11th April 1988.

[F588 (9) References in this section to a Category A or Category B retirement pension do not include one to which Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5A applies.]

Textual Amendments

F576 S. 60(1)(aa)(ab) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 7(2); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F577 S. 60(1)(ab) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 17(2); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F578 Words in s. 60(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 85(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F579 Words in s. 60(2)(b) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(9)(a)

F580 Words in s. 60(2) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(9)(a)

F581 Words in s. 60(2) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 85(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F582 S. 60(3)(a)(bb) omitted (6.4.2017) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 16 para. 17(3); S.R. 2017/44, art. 2(2) (with arts. 3, 4)

F583 S. 60(3)(ba)(bb) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 7(3)(b); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F584 S. 60(3)(d) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 18(9)(b)

F585 Words in s. 60(3)(d) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 7(3)(c); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F586 Words in s. 60(4)(5) substituted (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 3 para. 45; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(d)(iii)

F587 S. 60(6) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F588 S. 60(9) added (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 4

[F589 60A Failure to satisfy contribution condition in paragraph 5A of Schedule 3 N.I.

(1) Subsection (2) below applies if the contribution condition in Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5A is not satisfied in relation to a benefit to which that paragraph applies.

(2) A person who would have been entitled to the benefit had the condition been satisfied shall nevertheless be entitled to a prescribed proportion of that benefit in respect of each of the years of the contributor's working life that falls within subsection (3) below.

(3) A year of the contributor's working life falls within this subsection if it is a year in relation to which the requirements in paragraph 5A(2)(a) and (b) of Part 1 of Schedule 3 are satisfied.

(4) “The contributor” means the person by whom the condition is to be satisfied.

(5) In any case where—

(a) an employed earner who is married or a civil partner dies on or after 6th April 2010 as a result of—

(i) a personal injury of a kind mentioned in section 94(1) below, or

(ii) a disease or injury such as is mentioned in section 108(1) below, and

(b) the contribution condition specified in Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5A is not satisfied in respect of the employed earner,

that condition shall be taken to be satisfied for the purposes of the entitlement of the employed earner's widow, widower or surviving civil partner to a Category B retirement pension payable by virtue of section 48B above.

(6) In subsections (1) to (3) above, any reference—

(a) to the contribution condition in Schedule 3, Part 1, paragraph 5A, or

(b) to the requirements of paragraph 5A(2)(a) and (b),

includes a reference to that condition or those requirements as modified by virtue of paragraph 5A(4).]

Textual Amendments

F589 S. 60A inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 5

61 Exclusion of increase of benefit for failure to satisfy contribution condition. N.I.

(1) A Category A or Category B retirement pension which is payable by virtue of section 60(1) above and a widowed mother’s allowance [F590 or widowed parent’s allowance] which is so payable shall not be increased under section 47(1) above or under Part IV below F591 ... if the pension or allowance contains no basic pension in consequence of a failure to satisfy a contribution condition.

[F592 (2) Where a person is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit at a rate determined under section 30B(3) above and the retirement pension by reference to which the rate of the benefit is determined—

(a) would have been payable only by virtue of section 60 above, and

(b) would, in consequence of a failure to satisfy a contribution condition, have contained no basic pension,

the benefit shall not be increased under section 47(1) above or under Part IV belowF591 ... .]

Textual Amendments

F590 Words in s. 61(1) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 8; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F591 Words in s. 61(1)(2) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F592 S. 61(2) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 6; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47 S. 61 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, reg. 23

[F593 61ZA Shortfall in contributions: people with units of additional pension N.I.

(1) This section applies to a person who has one or more units of additional pension if the person—

(a) is not entitled to a Category A retirement pension, but

(b) would be entitled to a Category A retirement pension if the relevant contribution conditions were satisfied.

(2) The relevant contribution conditions are to be taken to be satisfied for the purposes of the person's entitlement to a Category A retirement pension.

(3) But where a person is entitled to a Category A retirement pension because of this section, the only element of that pension to which the person is so entitled is the additional pension attributable to the units of additional pension.

(4) For units of additional pension, see section 14A.

Textual Amendments

F593 Ss. 61ZA-61ZC inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 6; S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

61ZB Shortfall in contributions: people whose dead spouse or civil partner had units of additional pension N.I.

(1) This section applies to a person whose spouse or civil partner died with one or more units of additional pension if the person—

(a) is not entitled to a Category B retirement pension as a result of the death, but

(b) would be entitled to a Category B retirement pension as a result of the death if the relevant contribution conditions were satisfied.

(2) The relevant contribution conditions are to be taken to be satisfied for the purposes of the person's entitlement to that Category B retirement pension.

(3) But where a person is entitled to a Category B retirement pension because of this section, the only element of that pension to which the person is so entitled is the additional pension attributable to the units of additional pension.

(4) For units of additional pension, see section 14A.

Textual Amendments

F593 Ss. 61ZA-61ZC inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 6; S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

61ZC Entitlement to more than one pension: sections 61ZA and 61ZB N.I.

(1) Section 43 does not prevent a person from being entitled for the same period to both—

(a) a Category A retirement pension because of section 61ZA, and

(b) one Category B retirement pension.

(2) Section 43 does not prevent a person from being entitled for the same period to both—

(a) a Category A retirement pension, and

(b) one Category B retirement pension because of section 61ZB (or, if there is more than one such Category B retirement pension, the most favourable of them).

(3) Accordingly—

(a) in section 43(2)(a) the reference to “a Category A or a Category B retirement pension”, in a case in which subsection (1) or (2) of this section applies, includes “a Category A and a Category B retirement pension”,

(b) in sections 43(3)(a) and (aa), 51A and 52 “Category A retirement pension” does not include a pension to which a person is entitled because of section 61ZA, and

(c) in sections 43(3)(a) and 52 “Category B retirement pension” does not include a pension to which a person is entitled because of section 61ZB.]

Textual Amendments

F593 Ss. 61ZA-61ZC inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(1), Sch. 15 para. 6; S.R. 2015/329, art. 2(3)

[F594 61A Contributions paid in error. N.I.

(1) This section applies in the case of any individual if—

(a) the individual has paid amounts by way of primary Class 1 contributions which, because the individual was not an employed earner, were paid in error, and

(b) prescribed conditions are satisfied.

(2) Regulations may, where—

(a) this section applies in the case of any individual, and

(b) the [F595 Inland Revenue are] of the opinion that it is appropriate for the regulations to apply to the individual,

provide for entitlement to, and the amount of, additional pension to be determined as if the individual had been an employed earner and, accordingly, those contributions had been properly paid.

(3) The reference in subsection (2) above to additional pension is to additional pension for the individual or the individual’s spouse [F596 or civil partner] falling to be calculated under section 45 above for the purposes of—

(a) Category A retirement pension,

(b) Category B retirement pension for [F597 widows, widowers or surviving civil partners] [F598 (payment by virtue of section 48B or 48BB above)],

(c) widowed mother’s allowance and widow’s pension, [F599 and]

[F600 (ca) widowed parent’s allowance,] and

(d) incapacity benefit (except in transitional cases).

(4) Regulations may, where—

(a) this section applies in the case of any individual, and

(b) the [F595 Inland Revenue are] of the opinion that it is appropriate for regulations made by virtue of Article 6(8) of the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (provision during transition from invalidity benefit to incapacity benefit for incapacity benefit to include the additional pension element of invalidity pension) to have the following effect in the case of the individual,

provide for the regulations made by virtue of that Article to have effect as if, in relation to the provisions in force before the commencement of that Article with respect to that additional pension element, the individual had been an employed earner and, accordingly, the contributions had been properly paid.

(5) Where such provision made by regulations as is mentioned in subsection (2) or (4) above applies in respect of any individual, regulations under paragraph 8(1)(m) of Schedule 1 to this Act may not require the amounts paid by way of primary Class 1 contributions to be repaid.

(6) Regulations may provide, where—

(a) such provision made by regulations as is mentioned in subsection (2) or (4) above applies in respect of any individual,

(b) prescribed conditions are satisfied, and

(c) the amount calculated by reference to the contributions in question has been paid in respect of that individual by way of minimum contributions under section 39 of the Pensions Act (contributions to personal pension schemes),

for that individual to be treated for the purposes of that Act as if that individual had been an employed earner and, accordingly, the amount had been properly paid.]

Textual Amendments

F594 S. 61A inserted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 130

F595 Words in s. 61A(2)(b)(4)(b) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 9 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F596 Words in s. 61A(3) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 86(a); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F597 Words in s. 61A(3)(b) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 86(b); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F598 Words in s. 61A(3)(b) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 9(a); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F599 Word in s. 61A(3) inserted (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(6); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F600 S. 61A(3)(ca) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 9(b); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

Graduated retirement benefit N.I.

62 Graduated retirement benefit. N.I.

(1) So long as sections 35 and 36 of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966M5 (graduated retirement benefit) continue in force by virtue of regulations made under Schedule 3 to the Social Security (Consequential Provisions) Act 1975M6 or under Schedule 3 to the Consequential Provisions Act, regulations may make provision—

(a) for [F601 amending section 35(2) of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (value of unit of graduated contributions) so that the value is the same for women as it is for men for replacing section 35(4) of that Act] (increase of graduated retirement benefit in cases of deferred retirement) with provisions corresponding to those of [F602 paragraphs A1 to 3B and 7C] of Schedule 5 to this Act;

[F603 (aa) for amending section 35(7) of that Act (persons to be treated as receiving nominal retirement pension) so that where a person has claimed a Category A or Category B retirement pension but—

(i) because of an election under section 54(1) above, or

(ii) because he has withdrawn his claim for the pension,

he is not entitled to such a pension, he is not to be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of that section as receiving such a pension at a nominal weekly rate;]

[F604 (ab) for extending section 36 of that Act (increase of woman’s retirement pension by reference to her late husband’s graduated retirement benefit) to civil partners and their late civil partners and for that section (except subsection (5)) so to apply as it applies to women and their late husbands;]

[F605 (ac) for extending section 36 of that Act (increase of woman’s retirement pension by reference to her late husband’s graduated retirement benefit) to civil partners and their late civil partners who attain pensionable age before 6th April 2010 and for that section (except subsection (5)) so to apply as it applies to men and their late wives;]

[F606 (ad) for extending section 36 of that Act (increase of woman’s retirement pension by reference to her late husband’s graduated retirement benefit) to—

(i) men and their late husbands, and

(ii) women and their late wives,

and for that section (except subsection (5)) so to apply as it applies to women and their late husbands;

(ae) for extending section 36 of that Act (increase of woman’s retirement pension by reference to her late husband’s graduated retirement benefit) to—

(i) men and their late husbands, and

(ii) women and their late wives,

who attained pensionable age before 6th April 2010 and for that section (except subsection (5)) so to apply as it applies to men and their late wives;]

(b) for extending section 36 of that Act (increase of woman’s retirement pension by reference to her late husband’s graduated retirement benefit) to men and their late wives [F607 and for that section (except subsection (5) so to apply as it applies to women and their late husbands];

[F608 (c) for amending that section in order to make provisions corresponding to those of paragraphs 3C, 4(1) and (1A) and 7A to 7C of Schedule 5 to this Act enabling a widowed person [F609 or surviving civil partner] to elect to receive a lump sum, rather than an increase in the weekly rate of retirement pension, in respect of the graduated retirement benefit of his or her deceased spouse [F610 or civil partner].]

(2) This section is without prejudice to any power to modify those sections conferred by Schedule 3 to the Consequential Provisions Act.

[F611 (3) In relevant gender change cases, women and their late wives are to be treated for the purposes of sections 35 and 36 of the National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 in the same way as women and their late husbands.

(4) For that purpose “relevant gender change case”, in relation to a woman (“the pensioner”) and her late wife, means a case where—

(a) the late wife was, at the time of her death, a woman by virtue of a full gender recognition certificate having been issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and

(b) the marriage of the pensioner and her late wife subsisted before the time when the certificate was issued.]

Textual Amendments

F601 Words in s. 62(1)(a) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 7(a)

F602 Words in s. 62(1)(a) substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 16(a)

F603 S. 62(1)(aa) inserted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 128

F604 S. 62(1)(ab) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 87; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F605 S. 62(1)(ac) inserted (2.12.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Civil Partnership (Miscellaneous and Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/471), art. 1, Sch. para. 1

F606 S. 62(1)(ad)(ae) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(11)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F607 Words in s. 62(1)(b) added (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 7(b)

F608 S. 62(1)(c) inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 16(b)

F609 Words in s. 62(1)(c) inserted (10.11.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(2)(a)(3), Sch. para. 5(a)

F610 Words in s. 62(1)(c) added (10.11.2005 for specified purposes, 5.12.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Civil Partnership (Pensions and Benefit Payments) (Consequential, etc. Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005/434), art. 1(2)(a)(3), Sch. para. 5(b)

F611 S. 62(3)(4) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(11)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

Marginal Citations

M5 1966 c. 6 (N.I.).

M6 1975 c. 18.

Part III N.I. Non-Contributory Benefits

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C48 Pt. III (ss. 63-79) excluded (13.1.1993) by S.R. 1979/242, reg. 4(1) (as substituted (13.1.1993) by S.R. 1992/557, reg. 3).

C49 Pt. III (ss. 63-79): power to apply conferred (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 161, 168(4), Sch. 6 para. 1(3)(a).

63 Descriptions of non-contributory benefits. N.I.

Non-contributory benefits under this Part of this Act are of the following descriptions, namely—

(a) attendance allowance;

F612 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) [F613 carer’s allowance] F614 ... ;

(d) disability living allowance;

(e) guardian’s allowance;

(f) retirement pensions of the following categories—

(i) Category C, [F615 payable in certain cases to a widow whose husband was over pensionable age on 5 July 1948 or to a woman whose marriage to a husband who was over pensionable age on that date was terminated otherwise than by his death] (with increase for adult F616 ... dependants), and

(ii) Category D, payable to persons over the age of 80;

(g) age addition payable, in the case of persons over the age of 80, by way of increase of a retirement pension of any category [F617 under this Act] or of a pension or allowance to which section 79(2) below applies.

Textual Amendments

F612 S. 63(b) repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

F613 Words in s. 63(c) substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(ii)

F614 Words in s. 63(c) repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010 and with savings until 6.4.2020) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 36(1)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

F615 Words in s. 63(f)(i) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 66

F616 Words in s. 63(f)(i) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F617 Words in s. 63(g) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 70

Attendance allowance N.I.

64 Entitlement. N.I.

(1) A person shall be entitled to an attendance allowance if he [F618 has attained pensionable age], he is not entitled to [F619 an allowance within subsection (1A)] and he satisfies either—

(a) the condition specified in subsection (2) below (“the day attendance condition”), or

(b) the condition specified in subsection (3) below (“the night attendance condition”),

and prescribed conditions as to residence and presence in Northern Ireland.

[F620 (1A) The following allowances are within this subsection—

(a) personal independence payment;

(b) the care component of a disability living allowance.]

(2) A person satisfies the day attendance condition if he is so severely disabled physically or mentally that, by day, he requires from another person either—

(a) frequent attention throughout the day in connection with his bodily functions, or

(b) continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to himself or others.

(3) A person satisfies the night attendance condition if he is so severely disabled physically or mentally that, at night,—

(a) he requires from another person prolonged or repeated attention in connection with his bodily functions, or

(b) in order to avoid substantial danger to himself or others he requires another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals for the purpose of watching over him.

[F621 (4) Circumstances may be prescribed in which a person is to be taken to satisfy or not to satisfy such of the conditions mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) above as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F618 Words in s. 64(1) substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 38 (as amended, in the case of s. 11, by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3), s. 34(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(b))

F619 Words in s. 64(1) substituted (2.5.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 9 para. 4(2); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(5)(h)(i)

F620 S. 64(1A) inserted (2.5.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 9 para. 4(3); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(5)(h)(i)

F621 S. 64(4) added (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 63(1); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C50 S. 64 modified (1.7.1992) by Social Security (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 c. 9, ss. 5, 7(2), Sch. 3 Pt. II para. 19.

65 Period and rate of allowance. N.I.

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Act, the period for which a person is entitled to an attendance allowance shall be—

(a) a period throughout which he has satisfied or is likely to satisfy the day or the night attendance condition or both; and

(b) a period preceded immediately, or within such period as may be prescribed, by one of not less than 6 months throughout which he satisfied, or is likely to satisfy, one or both of those conditions.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) above a person who suffers from renal failure and is undergoing such form of treatment as may be prescribed shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be deemed to satisfy or to be likely to satisfy the day or the night attendance condition or both.

(3) The weekly rate of the attendance allowance payable to a person for any period shall be the higher rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 1, if both as regards that period and as regards the period of 6 months mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above he has satisfied or is likely to satisfy both the day and the night attendance conditions, and shall be the lower rate in any other case.

(4) A person shall not be entitled to an attendance allowance for any period preceding the date on which he makes, or is treated as making, a claim for it.

(5) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (4) above, provision may be made by regulations for a person to be entitled to an attendance allowance for a period preceding the date on which he makes or is treated as making a claim for it if such an allowance has previously been paid to or in respect of him.

(6) Except in so far as regulations otherwise provide and subject to section 66(1) below—

(a) a claim for an attendance allowance may be made during the period of 6 months immediately preceding the period for which the person to whom the claim relates is entitled to the allowance; and

(b) an award may be made in pursuance of a claim so made, subject to the condition that, throughout that period of 6 months, that person satisfies—

(i) both the day and the night attendance conditions, or

(ii) if the award is at the lower rate, one of those conditions.

[F622 (7) A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to an attendance allowance 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.]

Textual Amendments

F622 S. 65(7) added (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/356), regs. 1, 2(2)

66 Attendance allowance for the terminally ill. N.I.

(1) If a terminally ill person makes a claim expressly on the ground that he is such a person, then—

(a) he shall be taken—

(i) to satisfy, or to be likely to satisfy, both the day attendance condition and the night attendance condition [F623 for so much of the period for which he is terminally ill as does not fall before the date of the claim]; and

(ii) to have satisfied those conditions for the period of 6 months immediately preceding [F624 the date of the claim or, if later, the first date on which he is terminally ill] (so however that no allowance shall be payable by virtue of this sub-paragraph for any period preceding that date); and

(b) the period for which he is entitled to attendance allowance shall be [F625 so much of the period for which he is terminally ill as does not fall before the date of the claim].

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) above—

(a) a person is “terminally ill” at any time if at that time he suffers from a progressive disease and his death in consequence of that disease can reasonably be expected within 6 months; and

(b) where a person purports to make a claim for an attendance allowance by virtue of that subsection on behalf of another, that other shall be regarded as making the claim, notwithstanding that it is made without his knowledge or authority.

Textual Amendments

F623 Words in s. 66(1)(a)(i) substituted (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 63(2)(a); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

F624 Words in s. 66(1)(a)(ii) substituted (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 63(2)(b); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

F625 Words in s. 66(1)(b) substituted (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 63(2)(c); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

67 Exclusions by regulation. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide that, in such circumstances, and for such purposes as may be prescribed, a person who is, or is treated under the regulations as, undergoing treatment for renal failure in a hospital or other similar institution otherwise than as an in-patient shall be deemed not to satisfy or to be unlikely to satisfy the day attendance condition or the night attendance condition, or both of them.

[F626 (2) Regulations may provide that an attendance allowance shall not be payable in respect of a person for a period when he is a resident of a care home in circumstances in which any of the costs of any qualifying services provided for him are borne out of public or local funds under a specified enactment.

(3) The reference in subsection (2) above to a care home is to an establishment that provides accommodation together with nursing or personal care.

(4) The following are qualifying services for the purposes of subsection (2) above—

(a) accommodation,

(b) board, and

(c) personal care.

(5) The reference in subsection (2) above to a specified enactment is to an enactment which is, or is of a description, specified for the purposes of that subsection by regulations.

(6) The power to specify an enactment for the purposes of subsection (2) above includes power to specify it only in relation to its application for a particular purpose.]

Textual Amendments

F626 S. 67(2)-(6) substituted for s. 67(2) (8.10.2007 for specified purposes, 29.10.2007 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 54(1), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(c)(2)

Severe disablement allowance N.I.

F627 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F627 S. 68 repealed with savings (3.11.2000 for specified purposes, 6.4.2001 otherwise) by The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11)), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2 (with art. 4) (see also The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 22(b) (with reg. 3))

F628 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F628 S. 69 repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

[F629 Carer’s allowance] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F629 Words in cross-heading preceding s. 70 substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(iii)

70 [F630 Carer’s allowance]. N.I.

(1) A person shall be entitled to [F631 a 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.

[F632 (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) above shall, notwithstanding that he is no longer engaged in caring for a severely disabled person and the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) of that subsection are no longer satisfied, continue to be entitled to it 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 8 weeks beginning with the Sunday following the death (or beginning with the date of death if the death occurred on a Sunday),

whichever first occurs.]

[F633 (2) In this section, “severely disabled person” means a person in respect of whom there is payable—

(a) armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011;

(b) an attendance allowance;

(c) a disability living allowance by virtue of entitlement to the care component at the highest or middle rate;

(d) personal independence payment by virtue of entitlement to the daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate; or

(e) 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 Northern Ireland.

[F634 (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.]

(5) F635 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) F635 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) No person shall be entitled for the same day to more than one allowance under this section; and where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons [F636 have a relevant entitlement for the same day] in respect of the same severely disabled person, one of them only [F637 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 Department in its discretion.

[F638 (7A) For the purposes of subsection (7) a person has a “relevant entitlement” if—

(a) the person is entitled to a carer’s allowance, or

(b) the person is entitled under Article 17 of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 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.]

(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) [F631 A carer’s allowance] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 4.

F639 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F630 Words in shoulder heading preceding s. 70 substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(iii)

F631 Words in s. 70(1)(9) substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(iii)

F632 S. 70(1A) inserted (28.10.2002) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 3(2)

F633 S. 70(2) substituted (20.6.2016) by The Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/228), regs. 1, 5(2)

F634 S. 70(4A) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/356), regs. 1, 2(3)

F635 S. 70(5)(6) repealed (28.10.2002) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 3(3) (with art. 4)

F636 Words in s. 70(7) substituted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending Rule) by The Universal Credit (Consequential, Supplementary, Incidental and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/236), regs. 1(1), 4(2)(a)

F637 Words in s. 70(7) substituted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending Rule) by The Universal Credit (Consequential, Supplementary, Incidental and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/236), regs. 1(1), 4(2)(b)

F638 S. 70(7A) inserted (coming into force in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending Rule) by The Universal Credit (Consequential, Supplementary, Incidental and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/236), regs. 1(1), 4(3)

F639 S. 70(10) omitted (28.10.1994) by virtue of S.R. 1994/370, regs. 1, 2(3)(c)

Disability living allowance N.I.

71 Disability living allowance. N.I.

(1) Disability living allowance shall consist of a care component and a mobility component.

(2) A person’s entitlement to a disability living allowance may be an entitlement to either component or to both of them.

(3) A person may be awarded either component for a fixed period or [F640 for an indefinite period], but if his award of a disability living allowance consists of both components, he may not be awarded the components for different fixed periods.

(4) The weekly rate of a person’s disability living allowance for a week for which he has only been awarded one component is the appropriate weekly rate for that component as determined in accordance with this Act or regulations under it.

(5) The weekly rate of a person’s disability living allowance for a week for which he has been awarded both components is the aggregate of the appropriate weekly rates for the two components as so determined.

(6) A person shall not be entitled to a disability living allowance unless he satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence and presence in Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F640 Words in s. 71(3) substituted (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 64(1); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

72 The care component. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person shall be entitled to the care component of a disability living allowance for any period throughout which—

(a) he is so severely disabled physically or mentally that—

(i) he requires in connection with his bodily functions attention from another person for a significant portion of the day (whether during a single period or a number of periods); or

(ii) he cannot prepare a cooked main meal for himself if he has the ingredients;

(b) he is so severely disabled physically or mentally that, by day, he requires from another person—

(i) frequent attention throughout the day in connection with his bodily functions; or

(ii) continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to himself or others; or

(c) he is so severely disabled physically or mentally that, at night,—

(i) he requires from another person prolonged or repeated attention in connection with his bodily functions; or

(ii) in order to avoid substantial danger to himself or others he requires another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals for the purpose of watching over him.

[F641 (1A) In its application to a person in relation to so much of a period as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16, subsection (1) above has effect subject to the following modifications—

(a) the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(ii) above shall not apply, and

(b) none of the other conditions mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be taken to be satisfied unless—

(i) he has requirements of a description mentioned in the condition substantially in excess of the normal requirements of persons of his age, or

(ii) he has substantial requirements of such a description which younger persons in normal physical and mental health may also have but which persons of his age and in normal physical and mental health would not have.]

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, a person shall not be entitled to the care component of a disability living allowance unless—

(a) throughout—

(i) the period of 3 months immediately preceding the date on which the award of that component would begin; or

(ii) such other period of 3 months as may be prescribed,

he has satisfied or is likely to satisfy one or other of the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c) above; and

(b) he is likely to continue to satisfy one or other of those conditions throughout—

(i) the period of 6 months beginning with that date; or

(ii) (if his death is expected within the period of 6 months beginning with that date) the period so beginning and ending with his death.

[F642 (2A) The modifications mentioned in subsection (1A) above shall have effect in relation to the application of subsection (1) above for the purposes of subsection (2) above, but only—

(a) in the case of a person who is under the age of 16 on the date on which the award of the care component would begin, and

(b) in relation to so much of any period mentioned in subsection (2) above as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16.]

(3) Three weekly rates of the care component shall be prescribed.

(4) The weekly rate of the care component payable to a person for each week in the period for which he is awarded that component shall be—

(a) the highest rate, if he falls within subsection (2) above by virtue of having satisfied or being likely to satisfy both the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (c) above throughout both the period mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above and that mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection;

(b) the middle rate, if he falls within that subsection by virtue of having satisfied or being likely to satisfy one or other of those conditions throughout both those periods; and

(c) the lowest rate in any other case.

(5) For the purposes of this section, a person who is terminally ill, as defined in section 66(2) above, and makes a claim expressly on the ground that he is such a person, shall [F643 (notwithstanding subsection (1A)(b) above)] be taken—

(a) to have satisfied the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (c) above for the period of 3 months immediately preceding the date of the claim, or, if later, the first date on which he is terminally ill (so however that the care component shall not be payable by virtue of this paragraph for any period preceding that date); and

(b) to satisfy or to be likely to satisfy those conditions [F644 for so much of the period for which he is terminally ill as does not fall before the date of the claim].

F645 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) Subject to [F646 subsection (5)] above, circumstances may be prescribed in which a person is to be taken to satisfy or not to satisfy such of the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (c) above as may be prescribed.

[F647 (7A) Subsection (1A) above has effect subject to regulations made under subsection (7) above (except as otherwise prescribed).]

[F648 (7B) A person to whom either Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 or Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 applies shall not be entitled to the care component of a disability living allowance 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.]

[F649 (8) Regulations may provide that no amount in respect of a disability living allowance which is attributable to entitlement to the care component shall be payable in respect of a person for a period when he is a resident of a care home in circumstances in which any of the costs of any qualifying services provided for him are borne out of public or local funds under a specified enactment.

(9) The reference in subsection (8) above to a care home is to an establishment that provides accommodation together with nursing or personal care.

(10) The following are qualifying services for the purposes of subsection (8) above—

(a) accommodation,

(b) board, and

(c) personal care.

(11) The reference in subsection (8) above to a specified enactment is to an enactment which is, or is of a description, specified for the purposes of that subsection by regulations.

(12) The power to specify an enactment for the purposes of subsection (8) above includes power to specify it only in relation to its application for a particular purpose.]

Textual Amendments

F641 S. 72(1A) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(2), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F642 S. 72(2A) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(3), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F643 Words in s. 72(5) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(4), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F644 Words in s. 72(5)(b) substituted (12.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 64(2); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(3)

F645 S. 72(6) repealed (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(5), 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)(e)

F646 Words in s. 72(7) substituted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(6), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F647 S. 72(7A) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 48(7), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F648 S. 72(7B) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/356), regs. 1, 2(4)

F649 S. 72(8)-(12) substituted for s. 72(8) (8.10.2007 for specified purposes, 29.10.2007 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 54(2), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(c)(2)

73 The mobility component. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person shall be entitled to the mobility component of a disability living allowance for any period in which he is over [F650 the relevant age] and throughout which—

(a) he is suffering from physical disablement such that he is either unable to walk or virtually unable to do so;

[F651 (ab) he falls within subsection (1AB) below;]

[F651 (b) he does not fall within that subsection but does fall within subsection (2) below;]

(c) he falls within subsection (3) below; or

(d) he is able to walk but is so severely disabled physically or mentally that, disregarding any ability he may have to use routes which are familiar to him on his own, he cannot take advantage of the faculty out of doors without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time.

[F652 (1A) In subsection (1) above “the relevant age” means—

(a) in relation to the conditions mentioned in paragraph (a), [F653 (ab),] (b) or (c) of that subsection, the age of 3;

(b) in relation to the conditions mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection, the age of 5.]

[F654 (1AB) A person falls within this subsection if—

(a) he has such severe visual impairment as may be prescribed; and

(b) he satisfies such other conditions as may be prescribed.]

(2) A person falls within this subsection if—

(a) he is both blind and deaf; and

(b) he satisfies such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(3) A person falls within this subsection if—

(a) he is severely mentally impaired; and

(b) he displays severe behavioural problems; and

(c) he satisfies both the conditions mentioned in section 72(1)(b) and (c) above.

F655 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F655 (4A) In its application to a person in relation to so much of a period as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16, subsection (1) above has effect subject to the modification that the condition mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection shall not be taken to be satisfied unless—

(a) he requires substantially more guidance or supervision from another person than persons of his age in normal physical and mental health would require, or

(b) persons of his age in normal physical and mental health would not require such guidance or supervision.]

(5) F656 ... circumstances may be prescribed in which a person is to be taken to satisfy or not to satisfy a condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (d) or subsection (2)(a) above.

[F657 (5A) Subsection (4A) above has effect subject to regulations made under subsection (5) above (except as otherwise prescribed).]

(6) Regulations shall specify the cases which fall within subsection (3)(a) and (b) above.

(7) A person who is to be taken for the purposes of section 72 above to satisfy or not to satisfy a condition mentioned in subsection (1)(b) or (c) of that section is to be taken to satisfy or not to satisfy it for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) above.

(8) A person shall not be entitled to the mobility component for a period unless during most of that period his condition will be such as permits him from time to time to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion.

(9) A person shall not be entitled to the mobility component of a disability living allowance unless—

(a) throughout—

(i) the period of 3 months immediately preceding the date on which the award of that component would begin; or

(ii) such other period of 3 months as may be prescribed,

he has satisfied or is likely to satisfy one or other of the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)[F658 (a) to (d)] above; and

(b) he is likely to continue to satisfy one or other of those conditions throughout—

(i) the period of 6 months beginning with that date; or

(ii) (if his death is expected within the period of 6 months beginning with that date) the period so beginning and ending with his death.

[F659 (9A) The modifications mentioned in subsection (4A) above shall have effect in relation to the application of subsection (1) above for the purposes of subsection (9) above, but only—

(a) in the case of a person who is under the age of 16 on the date on which the award of the mobility component would begin, and

(b) in relation to so much of any period mentioned in subsection (9) above as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16.]

(10) Two weekly rates of the mobility component shall be prescribed.

(11) The weekly rate of the mobility component payable to a person for each week in the period for which he is awarded that component shall be—

(a) the higher rate, if he falls within subsection (9) above by virtue of having satisfied or being likely to satisfy one or other of the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a), [F660 (ab),] (b) and (c) above throughout both the period mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (9) above and that mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection; and

(b) the lower rate in any other case.

(12) For the purposes of this section in its application to a person who is terminally ill, as defined in section 66(2) above, and who makes a claim expressly on the ground that he is such a person—

(a) subsection (9)(a) above shall be omitted; and

(b) subsection (11)(a) above shall have effect as if for the words from “both” to “subsection”, in the fourth place where it occurs, there were substituted the words “ the period mentioned in subsection (9)(b) above ”.

(13) Regulations may prescribe cases in which a person who has the use—

(a) of an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided under Article 30(1) of the M7 Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 or provided by the Secretary of State under section 5(2)(a) of the M8 National Health Service Act 1977 and Schedule 2 to that Act or under section 46 of the M9 National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978; or

(b) of any prescribed description of appliance supplied under that Order being such an appliance as is primarily designed to afford a means of personal and independent locomotion out of doors,

is not to be paid any amount attributable to entitlement to the mobility component or is to be paid disability living allowance at a reduced rate in so far as it is attributable to that component.

(14) A payment to or in respect of any person which is attributable to his entitlement to the mobility component, and the right to receive such a payment, shall (except in prescribed circumstances and for prescribed purposes) be disregarded in applying any enactment or instrument under which regard is to be had to a person’s means.

Textual Amendments

F650 Words in s. 73(1) substituted (9.4.2001) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 64(3)(4); S.R. 2000/182, art. 2(c)

F651 S. 73(1)(ab)(b) substituted for s. 73(1)(b) (23.9.2010 for specified purposes, 15.10.2010 for specified purposes, 11.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 13(2), 36(2); S.R. 2010/327, art. 2(1)(a)(b)(c)

F652 S. 73(1A) inserted (9.4.2001) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 64(3)(4); S.R. 2000/182, art. 2(c)

F653 Word in s. 73(1A)(a) inserted (23.9.2010 for specified purposes, 15.10.2010 for specified purposes, 11.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 13(3), 36(2); S.R. 2010/327, art. 2(1)(a)(b)(c)

F654 S. 73(1AB) inserted (23.9.2010 for specified purposes, 15.10.2010 for specified purposes, 11.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 13(4), 36(2); S.R. 2010/327, art. 2(1)(a)(b)(c)

F655 S. 73(4A) substituted for s. 73(4) (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 49(2), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F656 Words in s. 73(5) repealed (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 49(3), 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)(e)

F657 S. 73(5A) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 49(4), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F658 Words in s. 73(9)(a) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(2); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(d)

F659 S. 73(9A) inserted (8.10.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 49(5), 60(1); S.R. 2007/429, art. 2(1)(b)

F660 Word in s. 73(11)(a) inserted (23.9.2010 for specified purposes, 15.10.2010 for specified purposes, 11.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 13(5), 36(2); S.R. 2010/327, art. 2(1)(a)(b)(c)

Marginal Citations

M7 S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

M8 1977 c. 49.

M9 1978 c. 29.

74 Mobility component for certain persons eligible for invalid carriages. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide for the issue, variation and cancellation of certificates in respect of prescribed categories of persons to whom this section applies; and a person in respect of whom such a certificate is issued shall, during any period while the certificate is in force, be deemed for the purposes of section 73 above to satisfy the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of that section and to fall within paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (9) by virtue of having satisfied or being likely to satisfy that condition throughout both the periods mentioned in those paragraphs.

(2) This section applies to any person whom the Department considers—

(a) was on 1st January 1976 in possession of an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided in pursuance of Article 30 of the M10 Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (which relates to vehicles for persons suffering from physical defect or disability) or receiving payments in pursuance of paragraph (3) of that Article;

(b) had at that date, or at a later date specified by the Department made an application which the Department approved for such a carriage or vehicle or for such payments;

(c) was, both at some time during a prescribed period before that date and at some time during a prescribed period after that date, in possession of such a carriage or vehicle or receiving such payments; or

(d) would have been, by virtue of any of the preceding paragraphs, a person to whom this section applies but for some error or delay for which in the opinion of the Department the person was not responsible and which was brought to the attention of the Department within the M11 period of one year beginning with 30th March 1977 (the date of the making of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, Article 10 of which made provision corresponding to the provision made by this section).

Marginal Citations

M10 S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

M11 S.I. 1977/610 (N.I. 11).

75 [F661 Persons who have attained pensionable age.] N.I.

(1) Except to the extent to which regulations provide otherwise, no person shall be entitled to either component of a disability living allowance for any period after he attains [F662 pensionable age] otherwise than by virtue of an award made before he attains that age.

(2) Regulations may provide in relation to persons who are entitled to a component of a disability living allowance by virtue of subsection (1) above that any provision of this Act which relates to disability living allowance, other than section 74 above, so far as it so relates, and any provision of the Administration Act which is relevant to disability living allowance—

(a) shall have effect subject to modifications, additions or amendments; or

(b) shall not have effect.

Textual Amendments

F661 Words in s. 75 heading substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 39(3) (as amended, in the case of s. 11, by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3), s. 34(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(b))

F662 Words in s. 75(1) substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 39(2) (as amended, in the case of s. 11, by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3), s. 34(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(b))

76 Disability living allowance - supplementary. N.I.

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, a person shall not be entitled to a disability living allowance for any period preceding the date on which a claim for it is made or treated as made by him or on his behalf.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) above, provision may be made by regulations for a person to be entitled to a component of a disability living allowance for a period preceding the date on which a claim for such an allowance is made or treated as made by him or on his behalf if he has previously been entitled to that component.

(3) For the purposes of sections 72(5) and 73(12) above, where—

(a) a person purports to make a claim for a disability living allowance on behalf of another; and

(b) the claim is made expressly on the ground that the person on whose behalf it purports to be made is terminally ill,

that person shall be regarded as making the claim notwithstanding that it is made without his knowledge or authority.

Guardian’s allowance N.I.

77 Guardian’s allowance. N.I.

(1) A person shall be entitled to a guardian’s allowance in respect of a child [F663 or qualifying young person] if—

(a) he is entitled to child benefit in respect of that child [F664 or qualifying young person], and

(b) the circumstances are any of those specified in subsection (2) below;

F665 ...

(2) The circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are—

(a) that both of the [F666 parents of the child or qualifying young person] are dead;

(b) that one of the [F666 parents of the child or qualifying young person] is dead and the person claiming a guardian’s allowance shows that he was at the date of the death unaware of, and has failed after all reasonable efforts to discover, the whereabouts of the other parent; or

(c) that one of the [F666 parents of the child or qualifying young person] is dead and the other is in prison.

(3) There shall be no entitlement to a guardian’s allowance in respect of a child [F667 or qualifying young person] unless at least one of the [F668 parents of the child or qualifying young person] satisfies, or immediately before his death satisfied, such conditions as may be prescribed as to nationality, residence, place of birth or other matters.

(4) Where, apart from this subsection, a person is entitled to receive, in respect of a particular child [F669 or qualifying young person], payment of an amount by way of a guardian’s allowance, that amount shall not be payable unless one of the conditions specified in subsection (5) below is satisfied.

(5) Those conditions are—

(a) that the beneficiary would be treated for the purposes of Part IX of this Act as having the child [F670 or qualifying young person] living with him; or

(b) that the requisite contributions are being made to the cost of providing for the child [F670 or qualifying young person].

(6) The condition specified in subsection (5)(b) above is to be treated as satisfied if, but only if—

(a) such contributions are being made at a weekly rate not less than the amount referred to in subsection (4) above—

(i) by the beneficiary; or

(ii) where the beneficiary is one of two spouses [F671 or civil partners] residing together, by them together; and

(b) except in prescribed cases, the contributions are over and above those required for the purpose of satisfying section 139(1)(b) below.

(7) A guardian’s allowance in respect of a child [F672 or qualifying young person] shall be payable at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 5.

(8) Regulations—

(a) may modify subsection (2) or (3) above in relation to cases in which a child [F673 or qualifying young person] has been adopted or is illegitimate, or the marriage of [F674 the parents of a child or qualifying young person] has been terminated by divorce [F675 or the civil partnership of the [F674 the parents of a child or qualifying young person] has been dissolved];

(b) shall prescribe the circumstances in which a person is to be treated for the purposes of this section as being in prison (by reference to his undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for life or of a prescribed minimum duration, or to his being in legal custody in prescribed circumstances); and

(c) may, for cases where entitlement to a guardian’s allowance is established by reference to a person being in prison, provide—

(i) for requiring him to pay to the National Insurance Fund sums paid by way of a guardian’s allowance;

(ii) for suspending payment of an allowance where a conviction, sentence or order of a court is subject to appeal, and for matters arising from the decision of an appeal;

(iii) for reducing the rate of an allowance in cases where the person in prison contributes to the cost of providing for the child [F673 or qualifying young person].

(9) Where [F676 a man and woman are married to, or civil partners of, each other and are residing together,] and, apart from this subsection, they would each be entitled to a guardian’s allowance in respect of the same child [F677 or qualifying young person], only [F678 the woman] shall be entitled, but payment may be made either to her or to him unless she elects in the prescribed manner that payment is not to be made to him.

(10) Subject to subsection (11) below, no person shall be entitled to a guardian’s allowance in respect of a child [F679 or qualifying young person] of which he or she is the parent.

(11) Where a person—

(a) has adopted a child [F680 or qualifying young person]; and

(b) was entitled to guardian’s allowance in respect of the child [F680 or qualifying young person] immediately before the adoption,

subsection (10) above shall not terminate his entitlement.

Textual Amendments

F663 Words in s. 77(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(a)

F664 Words in s. 77(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(2)(b)

F665 Words in s. 77(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F666 Words in s. 77(2) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(3)

F667 Words in s. 77(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(4)(a)

F668 Words in s. 77(3) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(4)(b)

F669 Words in s. 77(4) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(5)

F670 Words in s. 77(5) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(6)

F671 Words in s. 77(6)(a)(ii) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 88(a); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F672 Words in s. 77(7) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(7)

F673 Words in s. 77(8) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(8)(a)

F674 Words in s. 77(8) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(8)(b)

F675 Words in s. 77(8)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 88(b); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F676 Words in s. 77(9) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(12)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F677 Words in s. 77(9) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(9)

F678 Words in s. 77(9) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(12)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

F679 Words in s. 77(10) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(10)

F680 Words in s. 77(11) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 30(11)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C51 S. 77: functions of the Northern Ireland Department transferred (prosp.) to the Treasury by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 49(2), 61 (with s. 54(1)(3)(4)(6)(8))

C52 S. 77: transfer of functions (1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 49(2)(a), 61 (with s. 54(1)(3)(4)(6)(8)); S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

C53 S. 77(2) modified (7.4.2003) by The Guardians Allowance (General) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/495), regs. 1, 3-6

Benefits for the aged N.I.

78 Category C and Category D retirement pensions and other benefits for the aged. N.I.

F681 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F682 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A person who is over the age of 80 [F683 , who reached pensionable age before 6 April 2016 and who satisfies] such conditions as may be prescribed shall be entitled to a Category D retirement pension at the appropriate weekly rate if—

(a) he is not entitled to a Category A, Category B or Category C retirement pension; or

(b) he is entitled to such a pension, but it is payable at a weekly rate which, disregarding those elements specified in subsection (4) below, is less than the appropriate weekly rate.

(4) The elements referred to in subsection (3)(b) above are—

(a) any additional pension;

(b) any increase so far as attributable to—

(i) any additional pension, or

(ii) any increase in a guaranteed minimum pension;

(c) any graduated retirement benefit; and

F684 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F685 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The appropriate weekly rate of a Category D retirement pension shall be that specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 7.

(7) Entitlement to a F686 ... Category D retirement pension shall continue throughout the pensioner’s life.

(8) A F687 ... Category D retirement pension shall not be payable for any period falling before the day on which the pensioner’s entitlement is to be regarded as commencing for that purpose by virtue of section 5(1)(l) of the Administration Act.

(9) Regulations may provide for the payment—

(a) to a widow whose husband was over pensionable age on 5th July 1948; or

(b) to a woman whose marriage to a husband who was over pensionable age on that date was terminated otherwise than by his death,

of a Category C retirement pension or of benefit corresponding to a widow’s pension or a widowed mother’s allowance; and any such retirement pension or any such benefit shall be at the prescribed rate.

Textual Amendments

F681 S. 78(1) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 67(2)

F682 S. 78(2) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 67(2)

F683 Words in s. 78(3) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 69

F684 S. 78(4)(d) repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 13, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F685 S. 78(5) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 67(2)

F686 Words in s. 78(7) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 67(3)

F687 Words in s. 78(8) omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 67(3)

79 Age addition. N.I.

(1) A person who is over the age of 80 and entitled to a retirement pension of any category [F688 under this Act] shall be entitled to an increase of the pension, to be known as “age addition”.

(2) Where a person is in receipt of a pension or allowance payable by virtue of any prescribed enactment or instrument (whether passed or made before or after this Act) and—

(a) he is over the age of 80; and

(b) he fulfils such other conditions as may be prescribed,

he shall be entitled to an increase of that pension or allowance, also known as age addition.

(3) Age addition shall be payable for the life of the person entitled, at the weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part III, paragraph 8.

Textual Amendments

F688 Words in s. 79(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 70

Part IV N.I. Increases for dependants

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C54 Pt. IV (ss. 80-93): power to apply conferred (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 161, 168(4), Sch. 6 para. 1(3)(a).

Child dependants N.I.

F689 F690 80 Beneficiary’s dependent children. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F689 S. 80 repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2 and see also Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 30(1))

F690 S. 80 (as saved) amended (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(d), 8

F691 81 Restrictions on increase - child not living with beneficiary, etc. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F691 S. 81 repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2 and see also Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 30(1))

Adult dependants N.I.

F692 82 Short-term benefit: increase for adult dependants. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F692 S. 82 repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 14(1)(a), 36(1)(d)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

F693 83 Pension increase (wife). N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F693 S. 83 repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(1)(a), Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F694 84 Pension increase (husband). N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F694 S. 84 repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(1)(b), Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F695 85 Pension increase (person with care of children or qualifying young persons). N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F695 S. 85 repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(1)(c), Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F696 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F696 S. 86 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1, Pt. I para. 23, Sch. 2 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

[F697 86A Incapacity benefit: increase for adult dependants. N.I.

(1) The weekly rates of short-term and long-term incapacity benefit shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be increased for adult dependants by the appropriate amount specified in relation to benefit of that description in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3).

(2) Regulations may provide that where the person in respect of whom an increase of benefit is claimed has earnings in excess of such amount as may be prescribed there shall be no increase of benefit under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F697 S. 86A inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 4(4) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

87 Rate of increase where associated retirement pension is attributable to reduced contributions. N.I.

(1) Where a person—

[F698 (a) is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under section 30A(2)(b) above; and]

(b) would have been entitled only by virtue of section 60(1) above to the retirement pension by reference to which the rate of that benefit F699 . . . is determined,

[F700 the amount of any increase of the benefit attributable to sections 82 to 86A above shall be determined in accordance with regulations under this section.]

(2) The regulations shall not provide for any such increase in a case where the retirement pension by reference to which the rate of the said benefit F699 . . . is determined—

(a) would have been payable only by virtue of section 60 above; and

(b) would, in consequence of a failure to satisfy a contribution condition, have contained no basic pension.

Textual Amendments

F698 S. 87(1)(a) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 9; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F699 Words in s. 87(1)(b)(2) repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 24(4), Sch. 2 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F700 Words following s. 87(1)(b) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 24(3) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C55 S. 87 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1994/485, regs. 1, 13

[F701 88 Increases to be in respect of only one adult dependant. N.I.

A person shall not [F702 by virtue of section 86A] above be entitled for the same period to an increase of benefit in respect of more than one person.]

Textual Amendments

F701 S. 88 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 25 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F702 Words in s. 88 substituted (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 14 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

Miscellaneous N.I.

89 Earnings to include occupational and personal pensions [F703 etc.] for purposes of provisions relating to increases of benefits in respect of F704 ... adult dependants. N.I.

(1) Except as may be prescribed, in F705 ... [F706 sections 82 and 86A] [F707 above, and in regulations under section 86A above,] any reference to earnings includes a reference to payments by way of occupational or personal pension.

[F708 (1A) Except as may be prescribed, in [F709 sections 82 and 86A] above, and in regulations under section 86A above, any reference to earnings includes a reference to payments by way of PPF periodic payments.]

(2) For the purposes of the provisions mentioned in [F710 subsections (1) and (1A) above], the Department may by regulations provide, in relation to cases where payments by way of occupational or personal pension [F711 or PPF periodic payments] are made otherwise than weekly, that any necessary apportionment of the payments shall be made in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed.

[F712 (3) In this section “PPF periodic payments” means—

(a) any periodic compensation payments made in relation to a person, payable under the pension compensation provisions as specified in Article 146(2) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 162(2) of the Pensions Act 2004 (the pension compensation provisions); or

(b) any periodic payments made in relation to a person, payable under Article 150 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 166 of the Pensions Act 2004 (duty to pay scheme benefits unpaid at assessment date etc.),

other than payments made to a surviving dependant of a person entitled to such compensation.]

Textual Amendments

F703 Word in s. 89 heading inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(3)(a)

F704 Words in s. 89 heading repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F705 Words in s. 89(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F706 Words in s. 89(1) substituted (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 15 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F707 Words in s. 89 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 26 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F708 S. 89(1A) inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(3)(b)

F709 Words in s. 89(1A) substituted (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 15 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F710 Words in s. 89(2) substituted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(3)(c)(i)

F711 Words in s. 89(2) inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(3)(c)(ii)

F712 S. 89(3) added (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(3)(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C56 S. 89 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1994/485, regs. 1, 11

F713 90 Beneficiaries under sections 68 and 70. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F713 S. 90 repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010 and with savings until 6.4.2020) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 14(1)(b), 36(1)(d)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

91 Effect of trade disputes on entitlement to increases. N.I.

(1) A beneficiary shall not be entitled—

(a) to an increase in any benefit [F714 under or by virtue of sections 82 to 88 above]; or

(b) to an increase in benefit F715 ... by virtue of regulations under section 90 above,

if the person in respect of whom he would be entitled to the increase falls within subsection (2) below.

[F716 (2) A person falls within the subsection if—

(a) he is prevented for being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance by Article 16 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (trade disputes); or

(b) he would be so prevented if he were otherwise entitled to that benefit.]

Textual Amendments

F714 Words in s. 91(1)(a) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 27 (with art. 15(1))

F715 Words in s. 91(1)(b) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F716 S. 91(2) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 10; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2(b)

92 Dependency increases: continuation of awards in cases of fluctuating earnings. N.I.

(1) Where a beneficiary—

(a) has been awarded an increase of benefit under this Part of this Act, but

(b) ceases to be entitled to the increase by reason only that the weekly earnings of some other person (“the relevant earner”) exceed the amount of the increase or, as the case may be, some specified amount,

then, if and so long as the beneficiary would have continued to be entitled to the increase, disregarding any such excess of earnings, the award shall continue in force but the increase shall not be payable for any week if the earnings relevant to that week exceed the amount of the increase or, as the case may be, the specified amount.

(2) In this section the earnings which are relevant to any week are those earnings of the relevant earner which, apart from this section, would be taken into account in determining whether the beneficiary is entitled to the increase in question for that week.

93 Dependency increases on termination of employment after period of entitlement to disability working allowance. N.I.

Where—

[F717 (a) a person becomes entitled—

(i) to the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit, or to long-term incapacity benefit, by virtue of section 30C(5) or (6) or section 42 above;. . .

F718 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(b) when he was last entitled to that [F719 benefit]. . ., it was increased in respect of a dependant by virtue of—

(i) regulation 8(6) of the M12 Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1977;

(ii) regulation 3 of the M13 Social Security Benefit (Dependency) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984;

(iii) regulation 2 of the M14 Social Security (Savings for Existing Beneficiaries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984; or

(iv) regulation 4 of the M15 Social Security Benefit (Dependency and Computation of Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989,

for the purpose of determining whether his [F719 benefit]. . . should be increased by virtue of that regulation for any period beginning with the day on which he again becomes entitled to his [F719 benefit]. . ., the increase in respect of that dependant shall be treated as having been payable to him on each day between the last day on which his [F719 benefit]. . . was previously payable and the day on which he again becomes entitled to it.

Textual Amendments

F717 S. 93(a) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 28(a) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F718 S. 93(a)(ii) and word “or”preceding it repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

F719 Words in s. 93 substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 28(b) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

Marginal Citations

M12 S.R. (N.I.) 1977 No. 74.

M13 S.R. (N.I.) 1984 No. 373.

M14 S.R. (N.I.) 1984 No. 381.

M15 S.R. (N.I.) 1989 No. 381.

Part V N.I. Benefit for Industrial Injuries

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C57 Pt. 5 (ss. 94-111): power to apply conferred (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 161, 168(4), Sch. 6 para. 1(3)(a)

General provisions N.I.

94 Right to industrial injuries benefit. N.I.

(1) Industrial injuries benefit shall be payable where an employed earner suffers personal injury caused F720 ... by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, being employed earner’s employment.

(2) Industrial injuries benefit consists of the following benefits—

(a) disablement benefit payable in accordance with sections 103 to 105 below, paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 7 to this Act and Parts II and III of that Schedule;

(b) reduced earnings allowance payable in accordance with Part IV of that Schedule;

(c) retirement allowance payable in accordance with Part V of that Schedule; and

(d) industrial death benefit, payable in accordance with Part VI of that Schedule.

(3) For the purposes of industrial injuries benefit an accident arising in the course of an employed earner’s employment shall be taken, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, also to have arisen out of that employment.

(4) Regulations may make provision as to the day which, in the case of night workers and other special cases, is to be treated for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit as the day of the accident.

(5) Subject to sections 117 and 119 below, industrial injuries benefit shall not be payable in respect of an accident happening while the earner is outside Northern Ireland.

(6) In the following provisions of this Part of this Act “work” in the contexts “incapable of work” and “incapacity for work” means work which the person in question can be reasonably expected to do.

(7) Subsection (5) above shall cease to have effect on such day as the Head of the Department may by order appoint.

Textual Amendments

F720 Words in s. 94(1) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(a); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C58 S. 94(2)(a) applied (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 167(1).

95 Relevant employments. N.I.

(1) In section 94 above, this section and sections 98 to 109 below “employed earner’s employment” shall be taken to include any employment by virtue of which a person is, or is treated by regulations as being for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit, an employed earner.

(2) Regulations may provide that any prescribed employment shall not be treated for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit as employed earner’s employment notwithstanding that it would be so treated apart from the regulations.

(3) For the purposes of the provisions of this Act mentioned in subsection (1) above an employment shall be an employed earner’s employment in relation to an accident if (and only if) it is, or is treated by regulations as being, such an employment when the accident occurs.

(4) Any reference in the industrial injuries and diseases provisions to an “employed earner” or “employed earner’s employment” is to be construed, in relation to any time before 6th April 1975, as a reference respectively to an “insured person” or “insurable employment” within the meaning of the provisions relating to industrial injuries and diseases which were in force at that time.

(5) In subsection (4) above “the industrial injuries and diseases provisions” means—

(a) this section and sections 96 to 110 below;

(b) any other provisions of this Act so far as they relate to those sections; and

(c) any provisions of the Administration Act [F721 Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 or Part III of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,] so far as they so relate.

Textual Amendments

F721 Words in s. 95(5)(c) substituted (5.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 17, Sch. 6 para. 3; S.R. 1999/271, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

[F722 95A Employment training schemes etc. N.I.

(1) In the industrial injuries and diseases provisions any reference to employed earner's employment shall be taken to include participation in an employment training scheme or employment training course of a prescribed description (and “employed earner” shall be construed accordingly).

(2) In those provisions, a reference to an employer, in relation to any such participation, shall be taken to be a prescribed person.

(3) In this section “industrial injuries and diseases provisions” has the same meaning as in section 95(4) above.]

Textual Amendments

F722 S. 95A inserted (1.6.2016 for specified purposes, 31.10.2016 in so far as not already in force) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 72(1); S.R. 2016/234, arts. 2(3)(b), 3(2)(c)

96 Persons treated as employers for certain purposes. N.I.

In relation to—

(a) a person who is an employed earner for the purposes of this Part of this Act otherwise than by virtue of a contract of service or apprenticeship; or

(b) any other employed earner—

(i) who is employed for the purpose of any game or recreation and is engaged or paid through a club; or

(ii) in whose case it appears to the Department there is special difficulty in the application of all or any of the provisions of this Part of this Act relating to employers,

regulations may provide for a prescribed person to be treated in respect of industrial injuries benefit and its administration as the earner’s employer.

97 Accidents in course of illegal employments. N.I.

(1) Subsection (2) below has effect in any case where—

(a) a claim is made for industrial injuries benefit in respect of an accident, or of a prescribed disease or injury; or

(b) an application is made under [F723 Article 29 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] for a declaration that an accident was an industrial accident, or for a corresponding declaration as to a prescribed disease or injury.

(2) The Department may direct that the relevant employment shall, in relation to that accident, disease or injury, be treated as having been employed earner’s employment notwithstanding that by reason of a contravention of, or non-compliance with, some provision contained in or having effect under an enactment passed for the protection of employed persons or any class of employed persons, either—

(a) the contract purporting to govern the employment was void; or

(b) the employed person was not lawfully employed in the relevant employment at the time when, or in the place where, the accident happened or the disease or injury was contracted or received.

(3) In subsection (2) above “relevant employment” means—

(a) in relation to an accident, the employment out of and in the course of which the accident arises; and

(b) in relation to a prescribed disease or injury, the employment to the nature of which the disease or injury is due.

Textual Amendments

F723 Words in s. 97(1)(b) substituted (5.7.1999 for specified purposes and otherwiseprosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1, 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 46; S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1

98 Earner acting in breach of regulations, etc. N.I.

An accident shall be taken to arise out of and in the course of an employed earner’s employment, notwithstanding that he is at the time of the accident acting in contravention of any statutory or other regulations applicable to his employment, or of any orders given by or on behalf of his employer, or that he is acting without instructions from his employer, if—

(a) the accident would have been taken so to have arisen had the act not been done in contravention of any such regulations or orders, or without such instructions, as the case may be; and

(b) the act is done for the purposes of and in connection with the employer’s trade or business.

99 Earner travelling in employer’s transport. N.I.

(1) An accident happening while an employed earner is, with the express or implied permission of his employer, travelling as a passenger by any vehicle to or from his place of work shall, notwithstanding that he is under no obligation to his employer to travel by that vehicle, be taken to arise out of and in the course of his employment if—

(a) the accident would have been taken so to have arisen had he been under such an obligation; and

(b) at the time of the accident, the vehicle—

(i) is being operated by or on behalf of his employer or some other person by whom it is provided in pursuance of arrangements made with his employer; and

(ii) is not being operated in the ordinary course of a public transport service.

(2) In this section references to a vehicle include a ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft.

100 Accidents happening while meeting emergency. N.I.

An accident happening to an employed earner in or about any premises at which he is for the time being employed for the purposes of his employer’s trade or business shall be taken to arise out of and in the course of his employment if it happens while he is taking steps, on an actual or supposed emergency at those premises, to rescue, succour or protect persons who are, or are thought to be or possibly to be, injured or imperilled, or to avert or minimise serious damage to property.

101 Accident caused by another’s misconduct, etc. N.I.

An accident happening after 19th December 1961 shall be treated for the purposes of industrial injuries benefit, where it would not apart from this section be so treated, as arising out of an employed earner’s employment if—

(a) the accident arises in the course of the employment; and

(b) the accident either is caused—

(i) by another person’s misconduct, skylarking or negligence, or

(ii) by steps taken in consequence of any such misconduct, skylarking or negligence, or

(iii) by the behaviour or presence of an animal (including a bird, fish or insect),

or is caused by or consists in the employed earner being struck by any object or by lightning; and

(c) the employed earner did not directly or indirectly induce or contribute to the happening of the accident by his conduct outside the employment or by any act not incidental to the employment.

Sickness benefit N.I.

F724 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F724 S. 102 repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1, Pt. I para. 29, Sch. 2 (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch.

Disablement pension N.I.

103 Disablement pension. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an employed earner shall be entitled to disablement pension if he suffers as the result of the relevant accident from loss of physical or mental faculty such that the assessed extent of the resulting disablement amounts to not less than 14 per cent. or, on a claim made before 19th November 1986, 20 per cent.

(2) In the determination of the extent of an employed earner’s disablement for the purposes of this section there may be added to the percentage of the disablement resulting from the relevant accident the assessed percentage of any present disablement of his—

(a) which resulted from any other accident F725 ... arising out of and in the course of his employment, being employed earner’s employment, and

(b) in respect of which a disablement gratuity was not paid to him after a final assessment of his disablement,

(as well as any percentage which may be so added in accordance with regulations under subsection (2) of section 109 below made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) of that section).

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, where the assessment of disablement is a percentage between 20 and 100 which is not a multiple of 10, it shall be treated—

(a) if it is a multiple of 5, as being the next higher percentage which is a multiple of 10, and

(b) if it is not a multiple of 5, as being the nearest percentage which is a multiple of 10,

and where the assessment of disablement on a claim made on or after 19th November 1986 is less than 20 per cent., but not less than 14 per cent., it shall be treated as 20 per cent.

(4) Where subsection (2) above applies, subsection (3) above shall have effect in relation to the aggregate percentage and not in relation to any percentage forming part of the aggregate.

(5) In this Part of this Act “assessed”, in relation to the extent of any disablement, means assessed in accordance with Schedule 6 to this Act; and for the purposes of that Schedule there shall be taken to be no relevant loss of faculty when the extent of the resulting disablement, if so assessed, would not amount to 1 per cent.

(6) A person shall not be entitled to a disablement pension until after the expiry of the period of 90 days (disregarding Sundays) beginning with the day of the relevant accident.

(7) Subject to subsection (8) below, where disablement pension is payable for a period, it shall be paid at the appropriate weekly rate specified in Schedule 4, Part V, paragraph 1.

(8) Where the period referred to in subsection (7) above is limited by reference to a definite date, the pension shall cease on the death of the beneficiary before that date.

Textual Amendments

F725 Words in s. 103(2)(a) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(b); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C59 S. 103(6) modified (6.4.2006) by The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (S.R. 1986/179), art. 18B(2)(a) (as inserted by S.R. 2006/96, regs. 1, 2(3))

104 Increase where constant attendance needed. N.I.

(1) Where a disablement pension is payable in respect of an assessment of 100 per cent., then, if as the result of the relevant loss of faculty the beneficiary requires constant attendance, the weekly rate of the pension shall be increased by an amount, not exceeding the appropriate amount specified in Schedule 4, Part V, paragraph 2 determined in accordance with regulations by reference to the extent and nature of the attendance required by the beneficiary.

(2) An increase of pension under this section shall be payable for such period as may be determined at the time it is granted, but may be renewed from time to time.

(3) The Department may by regulations direct that any provision of sections 64 to 67 above shall have effect, with or without modifications, in relation to increases of pension under this section.

(4) In subsection (3) above, “modifications” includes additions and omissions.

105 Increase for exceptionally severe disablement. N.I.

(1) Where a disablement pension is payable to a person—

(a) who is or, but for having received medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution, would be entitled to an increase of the weekly rate of the pension under section 104 above, and the weekly rate of the increase exceeds the amount specified in Schedule 4, Part V, paragraph 2(a); and

(b) his need for constant attendance of an extent and nature qualifying him for such an increase at a weekly rate in excess of that amount is likely to be permanent,

the weekly rate of the pension shall, in addition to any increase under section 104 above, be further increased by the amount specified in Schedule 4, Part V, paragraph 3.

(2) An increase under this section shall be payable for such period as may be determined at the time it is granted, but may be renewed from time to time.

Other benefits and increases N.I.

106 Benefits and increases subject to qualifications as to time. N.I.

Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect in relation—

(a) to unemployability supplement;

(b) to disablement gratuity;

(c) to increases of disablement pension during hospital treatment;

(d) to reduced earnings allowance;

(e) to retirement allowance; and

(f) to industrial death benefit,

for all of which the qualifications include special qualifications as to time.

Successive accidents N.I.

107 Adjustments for successive accidents. N.I.

(1) Where a person suffers two or more successive accidents arising out of and in the course of his employed earner’s employment—

(a) he shall not for the same period be entitled (apart from any increase of benefit mentioned in subsection (2) below) to receive industrial injuries benefit by way of two or more disablement pensions at an aggregate weekly rate exceeding the appropriate amount specified in Schedule 4, Part V, paragraph 4; and

(b) regulations may provide for adjusting—

(i) disablement benefit, or the conditions for the receipt of that benefit, in any case where he has received or may be entitled to a disablement gratuity;

(ii) any increase of benefit mentioned in subsection (2) below, or the conditions for its receipt.

(2) The increases of benefit referred to in subsection (1) above are those under the following provisions of this Act—

• section 104,

• section 105,

• paragraph 2, 4 or 6 of Schedule 7.

Prescribed industrial diseases, etc. N.I.

108 Benefit in respect of prescribed industrial diseases, etc. N.I.

(1) Industrial injuries benefits shall, in respect of a person who has been in employed earner’s employment, be payable in accordance with this section and sections 109 and 110 below in respect of—

(a) any prescribed disease, or

(b) any prescribed personal injury (other than an injury caused by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment),

which is a disease or injury due to the nature of that employment F726 ...

(2) A disease or injury may be prescribed in relation to any employed earners if the Department is satisfied that—

(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and incidence and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons; and

(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.

(3) Regulations prescribing any disease or injury for those purposes may provide that a person who developed the disease or injury on or at any time after a date specified in the regulations (being a date before the regulations came into force F727 ... ) shall be treated, subject to any prescribed modifications of this section or section 109 or 110 below, as if the regulations had been in force when he developed the disease or injury.

(4) Provision may be made by regulations for determining—

(a) the time at which a person is to be treated as having developed any prescribed disease or injury; and

(b) the circumstances in which such a disease or injury is, where the person in question has previously suffered from it, to be treated as having recrudesced or as having been contracted or received afresh.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the power conferred by subsection (4)(a) above includes power to provide that the time at which a person shall be treated as having developed a prescribed disease or injury shall be the date on which he first makes a claim which results in the payment of benefit by virtue of this section or section 110 below in respect of that disease or injury.

(6) Nothing in this section or in section 109 or 110 below affects the right of any person to benefit in respect of a disease which is a personal injury by accident within the meaning of this Part of this Act, except that a person shall not be entitled to benefit in respect of a disease as being an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of any employment if at the time of the accident the disease is in relation to him a prescribed disease by virtue of the occupation in which he is engaged in that employment.

Textual Amendments

F726 Words in s. 108(1) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(c); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

F727 Words in s. 108(3) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(d); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

109 General provisions relating to benefit under s. 108. N.I.

(1) Subject to the power to make different provision by regulations, and to the following provisions of this section and section 110 below—

(a) the benefit payable under section 108 above in respect of a prescribed disease or injury, and

(b) the conditions for receipt of benefit,

shall be the same as in the case of personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment.

(2) In relation to prescribed diseases and injuries, regulations may provide—

(a) for modifying any provisions contained in this Act [F728 , the Administration Act or Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] which relate to disablement benefit or reduced earnings allowance or their administration; and

(b) for adapting references in this Act [F729 , that Act and that Chapter] to accidents,

and for the purposes of this subsection the provisions of [F730 that Act and that Chapter] which relate to the administration of disablement benefit or reduced earnings allowance shall be taken to include section 1 [F731 of that Act] and any provision which relates to the administration of both the benefit in question and other benefits.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, regulations under that subsection may in particular include provision—

(a) for presuming any prescribed disease or injury—

(i) to be due, unless the contrary is proved, to the nature of a person’s employment where he was employed in any prescribed occupation at the time when, or within a prescribed period or for a prescribed length of time (whether continuous or not) before, he developed the disease or injury,

(ii) not to be due to the nature of a person’s employment unless he was employed in some prescribed occupation at the time when, or within a prescribed period or for a prescribed length of time (whether continuous or not) before, he developed the disease or injury;

(b) for such matters as appear to the Department to be incidental to or consequential on provisions included in the regulations by virtue of subsection (2) and paragraph (a) above.

(4) Regulations under subsection (2) above may also provide—

(a) that, in the determination of the extent of an employed earner’s disablement resulting from a prescribed disease or injury, the appropriate percentage may be added to the percentage of that disablement; and

(b) that, in the determination of the extent of an employed earner’s disablement for the purposes of section 103 above, the appropriate percentage may be added to the percentage of disablement resulting from the relevant accident.

(5) In subsection (4)(a) above “the appropriate percentage” means the assessed percentage of any present disablement of the earner which resulted—

(a) from any accident F732 ... arising out of and in the course of his employment, being employed earner’s employment, or

(b) from any other prescribed disease or injury due to the nature of that employment F733 ... ,

and in respect of which a disablement gratuity was not paid to him after a final assessment of his disablement.

(6) In subsection (4)(b) above “the appropriate percentage” means the assessed percentage of any present disablement of the earner—

(a) which resulted from any prescribed disease or injury due to the nature of his employment F734 ... , and

(b) in respect of which a disablement gratuity was not paid to him after a final assessment of his disablement.

(7) Where regulations under subsection (2) above—

(a) make provision such as is mentioned in subsection (4) above, and

(b) also make provision corresponding to that in section 103(3) above,

they may also make provision to the effect that those corresponding provisions shall have effect in relation to the aggregate percentage and not in relation to any percentage forming part of the aggregate.

Textual Amendments

F728 Words in s. 109(2)(a) substituted (5.7.1999 for specified purposes) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1, 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 47(a); S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(b), Sch. 1

F729 Words in s. 109(2)(b) substituted (5.7.1999 for specified purposes) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1, 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 47(b); S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(b), Sch. 1

F730 Words in s. 109(2) substituted (5.7.1999 for specified purposes) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1, 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 47(c); S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(b), Sch. 1

F731 Words in s. 109(2) inserted (5.7.1999 for specified purposes) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1, 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 47(d); S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(b), Sch. 1

F732 Words in s. 109(5)(a) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(e); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

F733 Words in s. 109(5)(b) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(f); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

F734 Words in s. 109(6)(a) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(1)(f); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

110 Respiratory diseases. N.I.

(1) As respects pneumoconiosis, regulations may further provide that, where a person is found to be suffering from pneumoconiosis accompanied by tuberculosis, the effects of the tuberculosis shall be treated for the purposes of this section and sections 108 and 109 above as if they were effects of the pneumoconiosis.

(2) Subsection (1) above shall have effect as if after “tuberculosis” (in both places) there were inserted “ emphysema or chronic bronchitis ”, but only in relation to a person the extent of whose disablement resulting from pneumoconiosis, or from pneumoconiosis accompanied by tuberculosis, would (if his physical condition were otherwise normal) be assessed at not less than 50 per cent.

(3) A person found to be suffering from pneumoconiosis shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as suffering from a loss of faculty such that the assessed extent of the resulting disablement amounts to not less than 1 per cent.

Old cases N.I.

F735 111 Workmen’s compensation, etc. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F735 S. 111 repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 70(2); S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(2)(a)

Part VI U.K. Miscellaneous Provisions relating to Part I to V

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C60 Pt. VI (ss. 112-121): power to apply conferred (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 161(1), 168(4), Sch. 6 para. 1(3)(a).

Earnings N.I.

112 Certain sums to be earnings. N.I.

(1) [F736 The Treasury may by regulations made with the concurrence of the Department] provide—

(a) that any employment protection entitlement shall be deemed for the purposes of Parts I to V of this Act to be earnings payable by and to such persons as are prescribed and to be so payable in respect of such periods as are prescribed; and

(b) that those periods shall, so far as they are not periods of employment, be deemed for those purposes to be periods of employment.

(2) In subsection (1) above “employment protection entitlement” means—

(a) any sum, or a prescribed part of any sum, mentioned in subsection (3) below; and

(b) prescribed amounts which the regulations provide are to be treated as related to any of those sums.

[F737 (2A) Regulations under subsection (2) above shall be made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department.]

(3) The sums referred to in subsection (2) above are the following—

(a) a sum payable in respect of arrears of pay in pursuance of an order for reinstatement or re-engagement under [F738 the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996] ;

(b) a sum payable by way of pay in pursuance of an order under that Order for the continuation of a contract of employment;

(c) a sum payable by way of remuneration in pursuance of a protective award under that Order.

Textual Amendments

F736 Words in s. 112(1) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 21(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F737 S. 112(2A) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 21(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F738 Words in s. 112(3) substituted (24.9.1996) by S.I. 1996/1919, art. 255, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C61 S. 112 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 176(1); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

Disqualification and suspension N.I.

113 General provisions as to disqualification and suspension. N.I.

(1) Except where regulations otherwise provide, a person shall be disqualified for receiving any benefit under Parts II to V of this Act, and an increase of such benefit shall not be payable in respect of any person as the beneficiary’s [F739 wife, husband or civil partner,] for any period during which the person—

(a) is absent from Northern Ireland; or

(b) is undergoing imprisonment or detention in legal custody.

(2) Regulations may provide for suspending payment of such benefit to a person during any period in which he is undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution.

(3) Regulations may provide for a person who would be entitled to any such benefit but for the operation of any provision of this Act [F740 , the Administration Act or Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998] to be treated as if entitled to it for the purposes of any rights or obligations (whether his own or another’s) which depend on his entitlement, other than the right to payment of the benefit.

Textual Amendments

F739 Words in s. 113(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 92; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F740 Words in s. 113(3) substituted (5.7.1999, 6.9.1999, 18.10.1999 and 29.11.1999 for different purposes, otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 48; S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 14); S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18); S.R. 1999/428, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 16); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with arts. 20-22)

Persons maintaining dependants, etc. N.I.

114 Persons maintaining dependants, etc. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide for determining the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be taken, for the purposes of Parts II to V of this Act—

(a) to be wholly or mainly, or to a substantial extent, maintaining, or to be contributing at any weekly rate to the maintenance of, another person; or

(b) to be, or have been, contributing at any weekly rate to the cost of providing for a child [F741 or qualifying young person].

(2) Regulations under this section may provide, for the purposes of the provisions relating to an increase of benefit under Parts II to V of this Act in respect of a [F742 wife, civil partner] or other adult dependant, that where—

(a) a person is partly maintained by each of two or more beneficiaries, each of whom would be entitled to such an increase in respect of that person if he were wholly or mainly maintaining that person, and

(b) the contributions made by those two or more beneficiaries towards the maintenance of that person amount in the aggregate to sums which would, if they had been contributed by one of those beneficiaries, have been sufficient to satisfy the requirements of regulations under this section,

that person shall be taken to be wholly or mainly maintained by such of those beneficiaries as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations may provide for any sum or sums paid by a person by way of contribution towards either or both of the following, that is to say—

(a) the maintenance of his or her spouse [F743 or civil partner], and

(b) the cost of providing for one or more children [F744 or qualifying young persons],

to be treated for the purposes of any of the provisions of this Act specified in subsection (4) below as such contributions, of such respective amounts equal in the aggregate to the said sum or sums, in respect of such persons, as may be determined in accordance with the regulations so as to secure as large a payment as possible by way of benefit in respect of the dependants.

(4) The provisions in question are sections 56, F745 ... F746 ... F747 ... and paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule 7 to this Act.

Textual Amendments

F741 Words in s. 114(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 33(2)

F742 Words in s. 114(2) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 93(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F743 Words in s. 114(3)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 93(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F744 Words in s. 114(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 33(3)

F745 Word in s. 114(4) repealed (with effect from 14.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), s. 36(1)(p), Sch. 4 Pt. 2 (with ss. 14(2), 34(2)(a))

F746 Words in s. 114(4) repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 16, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F747 Words in s. 114(4) repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(2), Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Special cases U.K.

115 Crown employment - Parts I to VI. N.I.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, Parts I to V and this Part of this Act apply to persons employed by or under the Crown in like manner as if they were employed by a private person.

(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply to persons serving as members of Her Majesty’s forces in their capacity as such.

(3) Employment as a member of Her Majesty’s forces and any other prescribed employment under the Crown are not, and are not to be treated as, employed earner’s employment for any of the purposes of Part V of this Act.

(4) The references to Parts I to V of this Act in this section and sections 116, 117, 119 and 120 below do not include references to section 111 above.

116 Her Majesty’s forces. U.K.

(1) Subject to section 115(2) and (3) above and to this section, a person who is serving as a member of Her Majesty’s forces shall, while he is so serving, be treated as an employed earner, in respect of his membership of those forces, for the purposes—

(a) of Parts I to V and this Part of this Act; and

(b) of any provision of the Administration Act in its application to him as an employed earner.

(2) [F748 The Treasury may with the concurrence of the Secretary of State] make regulations modifying Parts I to V and this Part of this Act [F749 and Part III of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999], and any [F750 provisions of Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 which correspond to] provisions of Part III of the 1975 Act, in such manner as [F751 the Treasury think] proper, in their application to persons who are or have been members of Her Majesty’s forces; and regulations under this section may in particular provide [F752 , in the case of persons who are employed earners in respect of their membership of those forces, for reducing the rate of the contributions payable in respect of their employment and for determining—

(a) the amounts payable on account of those contributions by the Secretary of State and the time and manner of payment, and

(b) the deduction (if any) to be made on account of those contributions from the pay of those persons.]

(3) For the purposes of Parts I to V and this Part of this Act, Her Majesty’s forces shall be taken to consist of such establishments and organisations as may be prescribed by regulations [F753 made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Secretary of State] being establishments and organisations in which persons serve under the control of the Defence Council.

Extent Information

E1 S. 116 extends to Northern Ireland only, with the exception of s.116(2) which also extends to Great Britain

Textual Amendments

F748 Words in s. 116(2) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 22(2)(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F749 Words in s. 116(2) inserted (26.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 17, Sch. 6 para. 4 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(b)(c), Schs. 1, 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F750 Words in s. 116(2) substituted (5.7.1999, 6.9.1999, 18.10.1999 and 29.11.1999 for different purposes, otherwiseprosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 49; S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 14); S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18); S.R. 1999/428, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 16); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with arts. 20-22)

F751 Words in s. 116(2) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 22(2)(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F752 Words in s. 116(2) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F753 Words in s. 116(3) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 22(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

117 Mariners, airmen, etc. N.I.

(1) [F754 The Treasury may with the concurrence of the Department] make regulations modifying provisions of Parts I to V and this Part of this Act [F755 and Part III of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999], and any [F756 provisions of Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 which correspond to] provisions of Part III of the 1975 Act, in such manner as [F757 the Treasury think] proper, in their application to persons who are or have been, or are to be, employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may in particular provide—

(a) for any such provision to apply to such persons, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply;

(b) for excepting such persons from the application of any such provision where they neither are domiciled nor have a place of residence in Northern Ireland;

(c) for requiring the payment of secondary Class 1 contributions in respect of such persons, whether or not they are (within the meaning of Part I of this Act) employed earners;

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of any claim to benefit, in a country or territory other than Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be prescribed;

(e) for enabling persons who are or have been so employed to authorise the payment of the whole or any part of any benefit to which they are or may become entitled to such of their dependants as may be prescribed.

Textual Amendments

F754 Words in s. 117(1) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 23(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F755 Words in s. 117(1) inserted (26.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 17, Sch. 6 para. 5 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(b)(c), Schs. 1, 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F756 Words in s. 117(1) substituted (5.7.1999, 6.9.1999, 18.10.1999 and 29.11.1999 for different purposes, otherwiseprosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 50; S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 14); S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18); S.R. 1999/428, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 16); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with arts. 20-22)

F757 Words in s. 117(1) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 23(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

118 Married women and widows. N.I.

[F758 The Treasury may with the concurrence of the Department] make regulations modifying any of the following provisions of this Act, namely—

(a) Part I;

(b) Part II (except section 60); and

(c) Parts III and IV,

in such manner as [F759 the Treasury think] proper, in their application to women who are or have been married.

Textual Amendments

F758 Words in s. 118 substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 24(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F759 Words in s. 118 substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 24(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

119 Persons outside Northern Ireland. N.I.

[F760 The Treasury may with the concurrence of the Department] make regulations modifying Parts I to V of this Act [F761 and Part III of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999], and any [F762 provisions of Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 which correspond to] provisions of Part III of the 1975 Act, in such manner as [F763 the Treasury think] proper, in their application to persons who are or have been outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances.

Textual Amendments

F760 Words in s. 119 substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 25(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F761 Words in s. 119 inserted (26.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 17, Sch. 6 para. 6 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(b)(c), Schs. 1, 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F762 Words in s. 119 substituted (5.7.1999, 6.9.1999, 18.10.1999 and 29.11.1999 for different purposes, otherwiseprosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 51; S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 14); S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18); S.R. 1999/428, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 16); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with arts. 20-22)

F763 Words in s. 119 substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 25(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

120 Treatment of certain marriages. N.I.

(1) Regulations [F764 made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department] may provide—

(a) for a voidable marriage which has been annulled, whether before or after the date when the regulations come into force, to be treated for the purposes of the provisions to which this subsection applies as if it had been a valid marriage which was terminated by divorce at the date of annulment;

[F765 (aa) for a voidable civil partnership which has been annulled, whether before or after the date when the regulations come into force, to be treated for the purposes of the provisions to which this subsection applies as if it had been a valid civil partnership which was dissolved at the date of annulment;]

(b) as to the circumstances in which, for the purposes of the enactments to which this section [F766 applies, a marriage during the subsistence of which a party to it is at any time married to more than one person is to be treated as having, or as not having, the same consequences as any other marriage.]

(2) Subsection (1) above applies—

(a) to any enactment contained in Parts I to V or this Part of this Act; and

(b) to regulations under any such enactment.

Textual Amendments

F764 Words in s. 120(1) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 26 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F765 S. 120(1)(aa) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 94; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F766 Words in s. 120(1)(b) substituted (14.2.1996) by S.I. 1995/3211 (N.I. 20), art. 1, 5, Sch. para. 4(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C62 S. 120 applied (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, s. 163(5); S.R. 1994/17, art. 2

Interpretation N.I.

121 Interpretation of Parts I to VI and supplementary provisions. N.I.

(1) In Parts I to V above and this Part of this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

• [F767 “additional Class 4 percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 15(3ZA)(b) above;

• “additional primary percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 8(2)(b) above;]

• [F768 “age-related secondary percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 9A(2) above;]

• [F769 “Bank of England base rate” means—

  (a)

  the rate announced from time to time by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England as the official dealing rate, being the rate at which the Bank is willing to enter into transactions for providing short term liquidity in the money markets, or

  (b)

  where an order under section 19 of the Bank of England Act 1998 is in force, any equivalent rate determined by the Treasury under that section;]

• “beneficiary”, in relation to any benefit, means the person entitled to that benefit;

• “benefit” means—

  (a)

  benefit under Parts II to V of this Act other than Old Cases payments;

  (b)

  as respects any period before 1st July 1992 but not before 6th April 1975, benefit under Part II of the 1975 Act; or

  (c)

  as respects any period before 6th April 1975, benefit under—

  (i)

  the M16 M17 National Insurance Act (Northern Ireland) 1946 or 1966; or

  (ii)

  the M18 M19 National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1946 or 1966;

  [F770 (For the meaning of benefit” in Part 1, see also section 19B).]

• [F771 “the benefits code” has the meaning given by section 63(1) of ITEPA 2003;]

• [F772 “child” has the same meaning as in Part 9 of this Act;]

• “claim” is to be construed in accordance with “claimant”;

• “claimant”, in relation to benefit other than industrial injuries benefit, means a person who has claimed benefit;

• “claimant”, in relation to industrial injuries benefit, means a person who has claimed industrial injuries benefit;

• “contract of service” means any contract of service or apprenticeship whether written or oral and whether express or implied;

• [F773 “contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance” has the same meaning as in the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

• “current”, in relation to the lower and upper earnings limits [F774 and primary and secondary thresholds] under section 5(1) above, means for the time being in force;

• [F775 “day of interruption of employment” has the meaning assigned by section 25A(1)(c) above;]

• [F776 “deferred” and “period of deferment”—

  (a)

  in relation to a Category A or Category B retirement pension, have the meanings given by section 55(3), and

  (b)

  in relation to a shared additional pension, have the meanings given by section 55C(3);]

• “earner” and “earnings” are to be construed in accordance with sections 3, 4 and 112 above;

• “employed earner” has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 above;

• “employment” includes any trade, business, profession, office or vocation and “employed” has a corresponding meaning;

• [F771 “the employment income Parts of ITEPA 2003” means Parts 2 to [F777 7A] of that Act;]

• “entitled”, in relation to any benefit, is to be construed in accordance with—

  (a)

  the provisions specifically relating to that benefit;

  (b)

  in the case of a benefit specified in section 20(1) above, section 21 above; and

  (c)

  sections 1 to 3 [F778 of the Administration Act and Article 27 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998];

• F779 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• [F780 “first appointed year” means such tax year, no earlier than 2002-03, as may be appointed by order, and “second appointed year” means such subsequent tax year as may be so appointed;]

• [F781 “the flat rate introduction year” means such tax year as may be designated as such by order;]

• [F771 “general earnings” has the meaning given by section 7 of ITEPA 2003 and accordingly sections 3 and 112 of this Act do not apply in relation to the word “earnings” when used in the expression “general earnings”;]

• “government department” means, or as the case may require, includes, a Northern Ireland department;

• “industrial injuries benefit” means benefit under Part V of this Act F782 ... ;

• F783 . . .

• “the Inland Revenue” means the Commissioners of Inland Revenue;

• [F771 “ITEPA 2003” means the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003;]

• “late husband”, in relation to a woman who has been more than once married, means her last husband;

• “long-term benefit” has the meaning assigned to it by section 20(2) above;

• “loss of physical faculty” includes disfigurement whether or not accompanied by any loss of physical faculty;

• [F784 “lower earnings limit”, “upper earnings limit” [F785 “primary threshold” and “secondary threshold”] are to be construed in accordance with subsection (1) of section 5 above, and references to the lower or upper earnings limit, or to [F785 the primary or secondary] threshold, of a tax year are to whatever is (or was) for that year the limit or threshold in force under that subsection;]

• [F786 “lower-paid employment as a minister of religion” has the meaning given by section 290D of ITEPA 2003;]

• [F787 “main Class 4 percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 15(3ZA) above;

• “main primary percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 8(2) above;]

• “medical examination” includes bacteriological and radiographical tests and similar investigations and “medically examined” has a corresponding meaning;

• “medical treatment” means medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment (including any course or diet or other regimen), and references to a person receiving or submitting himself to medical treatment are to be construed accordingly;

• F782 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• [F788 “PAYE settlement agreement” has the same meaning as in [F789 Chapter 5 of Part 11 of ITEPA 2003] ;]

• “payments by way of occupational or personal pension” means, in relation to a person, periodical payments which, in connection with the coming to an end of an employment of his, fall to be made to him-

  (a)

  out of money provided wholly or partly by the employer or under arrangements made by the employer;

  (b)

  out of money provided under an enactment or instrument having the force of law in any part of the United Kingdom or elsewhere;

  (c)

  under a personal pension scheme as defined in Article 2(2) of the 1986 Order;

  (d)

  [F790 under a pension scheme registered under section 153 of the Finance Act 2004; or]

  and such other payments as are prescribed;

• [F791 “pensionable age” has the meaning given by the rules in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

• [F792 “personal independence payment” means a payment under Part 5 of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015;]

• “pneumoconiosis” means fibrosis of the lungs due to silica dust, asbestos dust, or other dust, and includes the condition of the lungs known as dust-reticulation;

• [F793 “PPF periodic payments” means—

  (a)

  any periodic compensation payments made in relation to a person, payable under the pension compensation provisions as specified in Article 146(2) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 162(2) of the Pensions Act 2004 (the pension compensation provisions); or

  (b)

  any periodic payments made in relation to a person, payable under Article 150 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 166 of the Pensions Act 2004 (duty to pay scheme benefits unpaid at assessment date etc.);]

• “prescribe” means prescribe by regulations;

• F794 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “qualifying earnings factor” means an earnings factor equal to the lower earnings limit for the year in question multiplied by 52;

• [F795 “qualifying young person” has the same meaning as in Part 9 of this Act;]

• [F796 “Regulation (EC) No 1408/71” means Council Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 of 14 June 1971 [F797 , as amended from time to time,] on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community;]

• [F796 “Regulation (EC) No 883/2004” means Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 [F798 , as amended from time to time,] on the coordination of social security systems;]

• “relative” includes a person who is a relative by marriage [F799 or civil partnership] and a person who would be a relative if some person born illegitimate had been born legitimate;

• “relevant accident” means the accident in respect of which industrial injuries benefit is claimed or payable;

• “relevant injury” means the injury in respect of which industrial injuries benefit is claimed or payable;

• “relevant loss of faculty” means—

  (a)

  F800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (b)

  in relation to industrial injuries benefit, the loss of faculty resulting from the relevant injury;

• [F801 “secondary percentage” is to be construed in accordance with section 9(2) above;]

• “self-employed earner” has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 above;

• “short-term benefit” has the meaning assigned to it by section 20(2) above;

• “tax week” means one of the successive periods in a tax year beginning with the first day of that year and every seventh day thereafter, the last day of a tax year (or, in the case of a tax year ending in a leap year, the last two days) to be treated accordingly as a separate tax week;

• “tax year” means the twelve months beginning with 6th April in any year, the expression “1978-79” meaning the tax year beginning with 6th April 1978, and any correspondingly framed reference to a pair of successive years being construed as a reference to the tax year beginning with 6th April in the earlier of them;

• “trade or business” includes, in relation to a public or local authority, the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of that authority;

• “trade union” means an association of employed earners;

• [F802 “unit of additional pension” means a unit of additional pension for which a person has paid a Class 3A contribution under section 14A;]

• [F803 “the upper accrual point” is £770;]

• “week”F804 ... means a period of 7 days beginning with Sunday.

• [F805 “working life” has the meaning given by paragraph 5(8) of Schedule 3 to this Act.]

F806 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Regulations [F807 made by the Treasury with the concurrence of the Department] may make provision modifying the meaning of “employment” for the purposes of any provision of Parts I to V and this Part of this Act.

(3) Provision may be made [F808 by the Treasury by regulations made with the concurrence of the Department] as to the circumstances in which a person is to be treated as residing or not residing with another person for any of the purposes of Parts I to V and this Part of this Act and as to the circumstances in which persons are to be treated for any of those purposes as residing or not residing together.

(4) A person who is residing with his spouse shall be treated for the purposes of Parts I to V of this Act and this Part as entitled to any child benefit to which his spouse is entitled.

(5) Regulations may, for the purposes of any provision of those Parts under which the right to any benefit or increase of benefit depends on a person being or having been entitled to child benefit, make provision whereby a person is to be treated as if he were or had been so entitled or as if he were not or had not been so entitled.

(6) For the purposes of Parts I to V of this Act and this Part a person is “permanently incapable of self-support” if (but only if) he is incapable of supporting himself by reason of physical or mental infirmity and is likely to remain so incapable for the remainder of his life.

[F809 (6A) Whenever regulations are made under section 122(6A) of the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act, regulations may make corresponding provision for Northern Ireland (and references in this or any other statutory provision to “the prescribed equivalent”, in the context of the upper accrual point, are to the equivalent prescribed under this subsection in relation to earners paid otherwise than weekly).]

F810 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F811 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F767 In s. 121(1) definitions of "additional Class 4 percentage" and "additional primary percentage" inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 31(2)

F768 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (6.4.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 9(9)(12)

F769 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 17(a)

F770 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 7

F771 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 199(2) (with Sch. 7)

F772 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 34(2)

F773 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 12; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F774 Words in definition of "current" in s. 121(1) inserted (6.4.2000) by 1999 c. 30, s. 84, Sch. 12 para. 85(2); S.I. 1999/3420, art. 4(d)

F775 Definition in s. 121(1) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 30; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F776 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (17.2.2005 for specified purposes, 6.4.2005 in so far as not already in force) by The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/255), art. 1(4), Sch. 9 para. 17(b)

F777 Figure in s. 121(1) substituted (with effect, in relation to relevant steps taken on or after 6.4.2011, in accordance with Sch. 2 paras. 52-59 of the amending Act) by Finance Act 2011 (c. 11), Sch. 2 para. 50(b)

F778 Words in definition in s. 121(1) substituted (5.7.1999, 6.9.1999, 18.10.1999 and 29.11.1999 for different purposes, otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 52(a); S.R. 1999/310, art. 2(1)(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 14); S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18); S.R. 1999/428, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 16); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a)(2), Sch. 1 (with arts. 20-22)

F779 Words in s. 121(1) omitted (with effect for the tax year 2016-17 and subsequent tax years) by virtue of Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 13(4), Sch. 1 para. 24(4)(a)

F780 Definition of "first appointed year" in s. 121(1) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(3); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F781 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 9(4)

F782 Words in s. 121(1) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 6; S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(3)

F783 Definition in s. 121(1) repealed (6.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1)(2), Sch. 6 para. 52(b), Sch. 7; S.R. 1999/72, art. 2(b), Sch.

F784 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (6.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 52(c); S.R. 1999/72, art. 2(b), Sch.

F785 Words in definition beginning with "lower earnings limit" in s. 121(1) substituted (6.4.2000) by 1999 c. 30, s. 84, Sch. 12 para. 85(3); S.I. 1999/3420, art. 4(d)

F786 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (with effect for the tax year 2016-17 and subsequent tax years) by Finance Act 2015 (c. 11), s. 13(4), Sch. 1 para. 24(4)(b)

F787 In s. 121(1) definitions of "main Class 4 percentage" and "main primary percentage" inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 31(3)

F788 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (9.9.1998 for the purpose only of making regulations or orders and 6.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 52(d); S.R. 1998/312, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F789 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 199(3) (with Sch. 7)

F790 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by The Taxation of Pension Schemes (Consequential Amendments) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/745), arts. 1, 5(3)

F791 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 9(a)

F792 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (20.6.2016) by The Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/228), regs. 1, 5(3)

F793 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (14.2.2006) by The Pensions (2004 Act and 2005 Order) (PPF Payments and FAS Payments) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/37), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 1(4)

F794 In s. 121(1) definition of "primary percentage" repealed (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 7, 8(2), Sch. 2

F795 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 34(3)

F796 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/356), regs. 1, 2(5)

F797 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (15.11.2018) by The Social Security (Updating of EU References) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1085), regs. 1, 2(a)

F798 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (15.11.2018) by The Social Security (Updating of EU References) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1085), regs. 1, 2(b)

F799 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 95(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F800 S. 121(1): para. (a) in definition of "relevant loss of faculty" repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

F801 In s. 121(1) definition of "secondary percentage" inserted (with effect for 2003-04 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), ss. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 31(4)

F802 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (12.10.2015) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 19; S.I. 2015/1670, art. 2(b)

F803 Words in s. 121(1) substituted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(4)(a), 118(2) (with s. 73)

F804 Words in s. 121(1) repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)

F805 Words in s. 121(1) inserted (16.12.1995 subject to Sch. 2 of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 131(4)

F806 S. 121(1A) omitted (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(13) (with regs. 6-9)

F807 Words in s. 121(2) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 27(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F808 Words in s. 121(3) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 27(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F809 S. 121(6A) inserted (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(4)(b), 118(2) (with s. 73)

F810 S. 121(7) repealed (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(4)(c), 118(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 73)

F811 S. 121(8) repealed (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 102(4)(c), 118(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 73)

Marginal Citations

M16 1946 c. 23 (N.I.).

M17 1966 c. 6 (N.I.).

M18 1946 c. 21 (N.I.).

M19 1966 c. 9 (N.I.).

Part VII N.I. Income-Related Benefits

General N.I.

122 Income-related benefits. N.I.

(1) Prescribed schemes shall provide for the following benefits (in this Act referred to as “income-related benefits”)—

(a) income support;

F812 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F812 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) housing benefit.

(2) The Department shall make copies of schemes prescribed under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) above available for public inspection at social security offices of the Department at all reasonable hours without payment.

(3) The Department of the Environment and the Executive—

(a) shall take such steps as appear to them appropriate for the purpose of securing that persons who may be entitled to housing benefit become aware that they may be entitled to it; and

(b) shall make copies of the housing benefit scheme available for public inspection at their offices at all reasonable hours without payment.

Textual Amendments

F812 S. 122(1)(b)(c) repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C63 S. 122(2) modified (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(4), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 28

C64 S. 122(3): certain functions transferred (1.12.1999) by S.R. 1999/481, art. 6(b), Sch. 4 Pt. II

Income support N.I.

123 Income support. N.I.

(1) A person in Northern Ireland is entitled to income support if—

[F813 (a) he is of or over the age of 16;]

[F814 (aa) he has not attained the qualifying age for state pension credit;]

(b) he has no income or his income does not exceed the applicable amount;

(c) he is not engaged in remunerative work and, if he is a member of a [F815 couple], the other member is not so engaged; F816 . . .

[F817 (d) except in such circumstances as may be prescribed, he is not receiving relevant education;]

[F818 (e) he falls within a prescribed category of person; F819 ...

(f) he is not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance and, if he is a member of a [F820 couple], the other member of the couple is not [F821 , and the couple are not,] entitled to an income-based jobseeker’s allowance]; F822 ...

[F823 (g) if he is a member of a [F824 couple], the other member of the couple is not entitled to state pension credit][F825 ; and

(h) he is not entitled to an employment and support allowance and, if he is a member of a couple, the other member of the couple is not entitled to an income-related employment and support allowance].

[F826 (1A) Regulations under paragraph (e) of subsection (1) must secure that a person who—

(a) is not a member of a couple, and

(b) is responsible for, and a member of the same household as, a child under the age of [F827 5],

falls within a category of person prescribed under that paragraph.

(1B) Subsection (1A) does not apply if regulations under paragraph (4)(c) of Article 3A of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 containing the provision mentioned in paragraph (5) of that Article are in operation.]

(2) In subsection (1)(a) above “period” includes—

(a) a period of a determinate length;

(b) a period defined by reference to the happening of a future event; and

(c) a period of a determinate length but subject to earlier determination upon the happening of a future event.

(3) Circumstances may be prescribed in which a person must not only satisfy the condition specified in subsection (1)(d)(i) above but also be registered in the prescribed manner for employment.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) below, where a person is entitled to income support, then—

(a) if he has no income, the amount shall be the applicable amount; and

(b) if he has income, the amount shall be the difference between his income and the applicable amount.

(5) Where a person is entitled to income support for a period to which this subsection applies, the amount payable for that period shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.

(6) Subsection (5) above applies—

(a) to a period of less than a week which is the whole period for which income support is payable; and

(b) to any other period of less than a week for which it is payable.

[F828 (7) In this section, “income-related employment and support allowance” means an income-related allowance under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (employment and support allowance).]

Textual Amendments

F813 S. 123(1)(a) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(2); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F814 S. 123(1)(aa) inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(a); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F815 Word in s. 123(1)(c) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 96; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F816 Word in s. 123(1)(c) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1)(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(3), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F817 S. 123(1)(d) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(4); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F818 S. 123(1)(e)(f) inserted (5.2.1996 for the purpose only of authorising the making of regulations and 7.10.1996 otherwise) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(5); S.R. 1996/26, art. 2(b), Sch.; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F819 Word in s. 123(1) repealed (6.10.2003) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14), s. 21(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F820 Word in s. 123(1)(f) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 96; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F821 Words in s. 123(1)(f) inserted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 26; S.R. 2001/114, art. 4(a)

F822 Word in s. 123(1) repealed (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F823 S. 123(1)(g) and preceding word added (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(a); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F824 Word in s. 123(1)(g) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 96; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F825 S. 123(1)(h) and preceding word added (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(9); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F826 S. 123(1A)(1B) inserted (13.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 3(1), 36(1)(b)

F827 Figure in s. 123(1A)(b) substituted (16.1.2017) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 64(1); S.R. 2016/46, art. 5(b)

F828 S. 123(7) added (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(10); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C65 S. 123(1)(e) modified (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 73(8)(d)

F829 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F829 S. 124 repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

125 Trade disputes. N.I.

(1) This section applies to a person, other than a child or a person of a prescribed description—

(a) who [F830 is prevented from being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance by Article 16 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (trade disputes)]; or

(b) who would be so [F831 prevented] if otherwise entitled to that benefit,

except during any period shown by the person to be a period of incapacity for work F832 ... or to be within the maternity period.

(2) In subsection (1) above “the maternity period” means the period commencing at the beginning of the 6th week before the expected week of confinement and ending at the end of the 7th week after the week in which confinement takes place.

(3) For the purpose of calculating income support—

(a) so long as this section applies to a person who is not a member of a family, the applicable amount shall be disregarded;

(b) so long as it applies to a person who is a member of a family but is not a member of a [F833 couple], the portion of the applicable amount which is included in respect of him shall be disregarded;

(c) so long as it applies to one of the members of a [F834 couple]—

(i) if the applicable amount consists only of an amount in respect of them, it shall be reduced to one-half; and

(ii) if it includes other amounts, the portion of it which is included in respect of them shall be reduced to one-half and any further portion of it which is included in respect of the member of the couple to whom this section applies shall be disregarded;

(d) so long as it applies to both the members of a [F835 couple]—

(i) if neither of them is responsible for a child or person of a prescribed description who is a member of the same household, the applicable amount shall be disregarded; and

(ii) in any other case, the portion of the applicable amount which is included in respect of them and any further portion of it which is included in respect of either of them shall be disregarded.

(4) Where a reduction under subsection (3)(c) above would not produce a sum which is a multiple of 5p, the reduction shall be to the nearest lower sum which is such a multiple.

(5) Where this section applies to a person for any period, then, except so far as regulations provide otherwise—

(a) in calculating the entitlement to income support of that person or a member of his family the following shall be treated as his income and shall not be disregarded—

(i) any payment which he or a member of his family receives or is entitled to obtain by reason of the person to whom this section applies being without employment for that period; and

(ii) without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (i) above, any amount which becomes or would on an application duly made become available to him in that period by way of repayment of income tax deducted from his [F836 taxable earnings (as defined by section 10 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003) under PAYE regulations]; and

(b) any payment by way of income support for that period or any part of it which apart from this paragraph would be made to him, or to a person whose applicable amount is aggregated with his—

(i) shall not be made if the weekly rate of payment is equal to or less than the relevant sum; or

(ii) if it is more than the relevant sum, shall be at a weekly rate equal to the difference.

(6) In respect of any period less than a week, subsection (5) above shall have effect subject to such modifications as may be prescribed.

(7) Subject to subsection (8) below, “the relevant sum” for the purposes of subsection (5) above shall be [F837 £41.00].

(8) If an order under section 132 of the Administration Act (annual up-rating) has the effect of increasing payments of income support, from the time when the order comes into operation there shall be substituted, in subsection (5)(b) above, for the references to the sum for the time being mentioned in it references to a sum arrived at by—

(a) increasing that sum by the percentage by which the personal allowance under paragraph 1(1) of Part I of Schedule 2 to the M20 Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 for a single person aged not less than 25 has been increased by the order; and

(b) if the sum as so increased is not a multiple of 50p, disregarding the remainder if it is 25p and, if it is not, rounding it up or down to the nearest 50p,

and the order shall state the substituted sum.

Textual Amendments

F830 Words in s. 125(1)(a) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(a); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F831 Word in s. 125(1)(b) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(b); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F832 Words in s. 125(1) repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 31, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F833 Words in s. 125(3)(b) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 97; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F834 Words in s. 125(3)(c) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 97; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F835 Words in s. 125(3)(d) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 97; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F836 Words in s. 125(5)(a)(ii) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 200 (with Sch. 7)

F837 Sum in s. 125(7) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1)(h) of the amending Rule) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(h), 23

Marginal Citations

M20 S.R. (N.I.) 1987 No. 459.

126 Effect of return to work. N.I.

If a person returns to work with the same employer after a period during which section 125 above applies to him, and whether or not his return is before the end of any stoppage of work in relation to which he is or would be [F838 prevented from being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance]—

(a) that section shall cease to apply to him at the commencement of the day on which he returns to work; and

(b) until the end of the period of 15 days beginning with that day, section 123(1) above shall have effect in relation to him as if the following paragraph were substituted for paragraph (c)—

“(c) in the case of a member of a [F839 couple], the other member is not engaged in remunerative work; and”; and

(c) any sum paid by way of income support for that period of 15 days to him or, where he is a member of a [F839 couple], to the other member of that couple, shall be recoverable in accordance with the regulations from the person to whom it was paid or from any prescribed person or, where the person to whom it was paid is a member of a [F839 couple], from the other member of the couple.

Textual Amendments

F838 Words in s. 126 substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 15; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F839 Words in s. 126 substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 98; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

Family credit N.I.

F840 127 Family credit. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F840 S. 127 repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)

Disability working allowance N.I.

F841 128 Disability working allowance. N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F841 S. 128 repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)

Housing benefit N.I.

129 Housing benefit. N.I.

(1) A person is entitled to housing benefit if—

(a) he is liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling in Northern Ireland which he occupies as his home;

(b) there is an appropriate maximum housing benefit in his case; and

(c) either—

(i) he has no income or his income does not exceed the applicable amount; or

(ii) his income exceeds that amount, but only by so much that there is an amount remaining if the deduction for which subsection (3)(b) below provides is made.

(2) In subsection (1) above “payments in respect of a dwelling” means such payments as may be prescribed, but the power to prescribe payments does not include power to prescribe mortgage payments.

[F842 This subsection is subject to subsection (2A).

(2A) Except to the extent that regulations otherwise provide, payments in respect of services which provide support, assistance, advice or counselling to individuals with particular needs are not “payments in respect of a dwelling” for the purposes of subsection (1).]

(3) Where a person is entitled to housing benefit, then—

(a) if he has no income or his income does not exceed the applicable amount, the amount of the housing benefit shall be the amount which is the appropriate maximum housing benefit in his case; and

(b) if his income exceeds the applicable amount, the amount of the housing benefit shall be what remains after the deduction from the appropriate maximum housing benefit of prescribed percentages of the excess of his income over the applicable amount.

F843 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F842 S. 129(2A) and preceding words inserted (1.4.2003) by The Housing Support Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3154), arts. 1(2), 8(1); S.R. 2003/171, art. 2

F843 S. 129(4) repealed (7.4.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 30(1), 60(1), Sch. 8; S.R. 2008/93, art. 2(b)

[F844 129A Appropriate maximum housing benefit N.I.

(1) For the purposes of section 129 above, the appropriate maximum housing benefit (in this section referred to as “the AMHB”) is determined in accordance with this section.

(2) Regulations must prescribe the manner in which the AMHB is to be determined.

(3) [F845 The provision which may be made by the regulations includes provision] for the AMHB to be ascertained in the prescribed manner by reference to Executive determinations.

[F846 (4) The regulations may, for the purpose of determining the AMHB, provide for the amount of the liability mentioned in section 129(1)(a) above to be taken to be an amount other than the actual amount of that liability (and, without prejudice to the generality of this subsection, may provide for it to be taken to be the amount of an Executive determination).]

[F846 (5) The regulations may, for that purpose, make provision for determining the amount of liability under section 129(1)(a) above which a person is treated as having by virtue of regulations under section 133(2)(j) below (and, without prejudice to the generality of this subsection, may provide for that amount to be the amount of an Executive determination).]

(6) An Executive determination is a determination made by the Executive in the exercise of functions under this section or regulations under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F844 S. 129A inserted (10.3.2008 for specified purposes, 7.4.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 30(2), 60(1); S.R. 2008/93, art. 2(a)(b)

F845 Words in s. 129A(3) substituted (9.9.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 75(2); S.R. 2016/325, art. 2(2)

F846 S. 129A(4)(5) substituted (9.9.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 75(3); S.R. 2016/325, art. 2(2)

General N.I.

130 Exclusions from benefit. N.I.

(1) No person shall be entitled to an income-related benefit if his capital or a prescribed part of it exceeds the prescribed amount.

(2) Except in prescribed circumstances the entitlement of one member of a family to any one income-related benefit excludes entitlement to that benefit for any other member for the same period.

(3) Where the amount of any income-related benefit would be less than a prescribed amount, it shall not be payable except in prescribed circumstances.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C66 S. 130(1)(2): certain functions transferred (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(1)(a), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(e)

131 The applicable amount. N.I.

(1) The applicable amount, in relation to any income-related benefit, shall be such amount or the aggregate of such amounts as may be prescribed in relation to that benefit.

(2) The power to prescribe applicable amounts conferred by subsection (1) above includes power to prescribe nil as an applicable amount.

(3) F847 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) F847 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) F848 ... the applicable amount for a severely disabled person shall include an amount in respect of his being a severely disabled person.

(6) Regulations may specify circumstances in which persons are to be treated as being or as not being severely disabled.

Textual Amendments

F847 S. 131(3)(4) repealed (8.4.2002) by Personal Social Services (Preserved Rights) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 5 (N.I.)), ss. 4, 7, Sch.; S.R. 2002/131, art. 3

F848 Words in s. 131(5) repealed (8.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(4)(e), Sch. 2 (with art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C67 S. 131(1)(2): certain functions transferred (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(1)(a), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(f)

C68 S. 131(1) modified (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 73(8)

C69 S. 131(1) restricted (26.3.2002) by Personal Social Services (Preserved Rights) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 5 (N.I.)), s. 3(a)

132 Income and capital. N.I.

(1) Where a person claiming an income-related benefit is a member of a family, the income and capital of any member of that family shall, except in prescribed circumstances, be treated as the income and capital of that person.

(2) Regulations may provide that capital not exceeding the amount prescribed under section 130(1) above but exceeding a prescribed lower amount shall be treated, to a prescribed extent, as if it were income of a prescribed amount.

(3) Income and capital shall be calculated or estimated in such manner as may be prescribed.

(4) Circumstances may be prescribed in which—

(a) a person is treated as possessing capital or income which he does not possess;

(b) capital or income which a person does possess is to be disregarded;

(c) income is to be treated as capital;

(d) capital is to be treated as income.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C70 S. 132: certain functions transferred (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(1)(a), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(g)

C71 S. 132(1) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/204), regs. 1(1), 18

C72 S. 132(1) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (Qualifying Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/203), regs. 1(1), 18

[F849 132A Effect of attaining qualifying age for state pension credit N.I.

(1) Subsections (2) and (3) below apply in relation to housing benefit in the case of any person who has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit.

(2) Regulations may make provision for section 130(1) above or any provision of section 132 above not to have effect in relation to that benefit in the case of any such person.

(3) In relation to that benefit, regulations may make provision for the determination of the income and capital of any such person, and any such regulations may include provision applying (with such modifications as the Department thinks fit)—

(a) section 5 of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (provision for treating income of spouse as income of claimant, etc.); and

(b) section 15 of that Act (determination of income and capital for purposes of state pension credit).

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) above may also include provision—

(a) authorising or requiring the use of any calculation or estimate of a person’s income or capital made by the Department for the purposes of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002; or

(b) requiring that, if and so long as an assessed income period is in force under section 6 of that Act in respect of a person falling within subsection (1) above,—

(i) the assessed amount of any element of his retirement provision shall be treated as the amount of that element for the purposes of housing benefit; and

(ii) his income shall be taken for those purposes not to include any element of retirement provision which it is taken not to include for the purposes of state pension credit by virtue of a determination under subsection (5) of that section.

(5) In subsection (4) above “assessed amount”, “element” and “retirement provision” have the same meaning as in the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

(6) The Department may by regulations make provision for the provisions of this section to apply with modifications in cases to which section 12 of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (polygamous marriages) applies.]

Textual Amendments

F849 S. 132A inserted (27.1.2003 for specified purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14), s. 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 3; S.R. 2003/29, art. 2; S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

133 Interpretation of Part VII and supplementary provisions. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “child” means a person under the age of 16;

• [F850 “couple” means—

  (a)

  two people who are married to, or civil partners of, each other and are members of the same household, or

  (b)

  two people who are not married to, or civil partners of, each other but are living together as if spouses of each other otherwise than in prescribed circumstances;]

• [F851 “dwelling” means any residential accommodation, whether or not consisting of the whole or part of a building and whether or not comprising separate and self-contained premises;]

• “the Executive” means the Northern Ireland Housing Executive;

• “family” means—

  (a)

  a [F852 couple];

  (b)

  a [F852 couple] and a member of the same household for whom one of them is or both are responsible and who is a child or a person of a prescribed description;

  (c)

  except in prescribed circumstances, a person who is not a member of a [F852 couple] and a member of the same household for whom that person is responsible and who is a child or a person of a prescribed description;

• [F853 “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” has the same meaning as in the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

• F854 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• F855 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• [F856 “pensionable age” has the meaning given by the rules in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

• “prescribed” means specified in or determined in accordance with regulations;

• [F857 “the qualifying age for state pension credit” is (in accordance with section 1(2)(b) and (6) of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002)—

  (a)

  in the case of a woman, pensionable age; or

  (b)

  in the case of a man, the age which is pensionable age in the case of a woman born on the same day as the man;]

• [F858 “state pension credit” means state pension credit under the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002;]

• F855 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “war pension scheme” means a scheme under which war pensions (as defined in section 25(4) of the M21 Social Security Act 1989) are provided.

F859 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Regulations may make provision for the purposes of this Part of this Act—

(a) as to circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being in Northern Ireland;

(b) continuing a person’s entitlement to benefit during periods of temporary absence from Northern Ireland;

(c) as to what is or is not to be treated as remunerative work or as employment;

[F860 (d) as to circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as engaged or normally engaged in remunerative work;]

(e) as to what is or is not to be treated as relevant education;

(f) as to circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as receiving relevant education;

(g) specifying the descriptions of pension increases under war pension schemes F861 ... that are analogous to the benefits mentioned in section 128(2)(b)(i) to (iii) above;

(h) as to circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home;

(i) for treating any person who is liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling as if he were not so liable;

(j) for treating any person who is not liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling as if he were so liable;

(k) for treating as included in a dwelling any land used for the purposes of the dwelling;

(l) as to circumstances in which persons are to be treated as being or not being members of the same household;

(m) as to circumstances in which one person is to be treated as responsible or not responsible for another.

Textual Amendments

F850 Words in s. 133(1) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(14)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F851 Definition of "dwelling" in s. 133(1) inserted (retrospectively) by S.I. 1993/1579 (N.I. 8), art. 3(2)(4)

F852 Words in s. 133(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 99(2); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F853 Definition in s. 133(1) inserted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(2); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F854 Words in s. 133(1) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 6; S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(3)

F855 Words in s. 133(1) repealed (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 99(4), Sch. 30; S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F856 S. 133(1): definition of "pensionable age" inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 4; S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F857 S. 133(1): definition of "the qualifying age for state pension credit" inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 4; S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F858 S. 133(1): definition of "state pension credit" inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 4; S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F859 S. 133(1A) omitted (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(14)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

F860 S. 133(2)(d) substituted (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(3); S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

F861 Words in s. 133(2)(g) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 6; S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C73 S. 133(1) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (Qualifying Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/203), regs. 1(1), 15

C74 S. 133(1) applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/204), regs. 1(1), 15

C75 S. 133(2) applied (1.1.2000 for specified purposes and 3.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 33, s. 115(8); S.I. 1999/3190, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M21 1989 c. 24.

Part VIII N.I. The Social Fund

134 Payments out of the social fund. N.I.

[F862 (1) There may be made out of the social fund, in accordance with this Part of this Act—

(a) payments of prescribed amounts, whether in respect of prescribed items or otherwise, to meet, in prescribed circumstances, maternity expenses and funeral expenses; [F863 and]

(b) [F864 payments by way of community care grant, crisis loan or budgeting loan [F865 to meet—

(i) other needs, and

(ii) in the case of payments by way of budgeting loan, those needs for which provision is made by paragraph (a),]

in accordance with directions given or guidance issued by the Department.]]

(2) Payments may also be made out of that fund, in accordance with this Part of this Act, of a prescribed amount or a number of prescribed amounts to prescribed descriptions of persons, in prescribed circumstances to meet expenses for heating which appear to the Department to have been or to be likely to be incurred in cold weather.

(3) [F866 The power to make a payment out of the social fund such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above may be exercised by making a payment to a third party with a view to the third party providing, or arranging for the provision of, goods or services for the applicant.]

(4) In this section “prescribed” means specified in or determined in accordance with regulations.

[F867 (5) [F866 In this Part—

• “budgeting loan” means a loan awarded in circumstances specified in directions issued by the Department for the purpose of defraying an intermittent expense;

• “community care grant” means a grant awarded in circumstances so specified for the purpose of meeting a need for community care;

• “crisis loan” means a loan awarded in circumstances so specified for the purpose of meeting an immediate short term need,

and any reference in this subsection to meeting a need or defraying an expense includes a reference to helping to meet the need or to defray the expense.]]

Textual Amendments

F862 S. 134(1) substituted (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 66(1): S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)

F863 Word in s. 134(1) repealed (28.11.2016 in so far as relates to a community care grant or a crisis loan) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 7; S.R. 2016/411, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 4)

F864 S. 134(1)(b) repealed (28.11.2016 in so far as relates to a community care grant or a crisis loan) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 76(1); S.R. 2016/411, art. 2(2)(a) (with art. 4)

F865 Words in s. 134(1)(b) substituted (17.2.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 77; S.R. 2016/46, art. 3(3)

F866 S. 134(3)(5) repealed (28.11.2016 in so far as relate to a community care grant or a crisis loan) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 7; S.R. 2016/411, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 4)

F867 S. 134(5) added (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 66(2); S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)

135 Awards by social fund officers. N.I.

[F868 [F869 (1) Whether a payment mentioned in section 134(1)(b) above is to be awarded, and how much it is to be, shall be determined by an appropriate officer, that is to say, an officer of the Department who, acting under its authority, is exercising functions of the Department in relation to payments so mentioned.]

(2) [F870 An appropriate officer] may determine that an award shall be payable in specified instalments at specified times.

F871 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) An award [F872 of a crisis loan or a budgeting loan] shall be repayable upon such terms and conditions as before the award is paid the Department notifies to the person by or on behalf of whom the application for it was made.

(5) Payment of an award shall be made to the applicant unless [F873 the appropriate officer] determines otherwise.]

Textual Amendments

F868 S. 135 repealed (28.11.2016 in so far as relates to a community care grant or a crisis loan) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 7; S.R. 2016/411, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 4)

F869 S. 135(1) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 53(1); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F870 Words in s. 135(2) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 53(2); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F871 S. 135(3) repealed (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1)(2), Sch. 6 para. 53(3), Sch. 7; S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(b)

F872 Words in s. 135(4) substituted (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 53(4); S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(b)

F873 Words in s. 135(5) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 53(5); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

136 Principles of determination. N.I.

[F874 (1) In determining whether to make an award [F875 of a community care grant or a crisis loan] to the applicant or the amount or value to be awarded [F876 an appropriate officer] shall have regard, subject to subsection (2) below, to all the circumstances of the case and, in particular—

(a) the nature, extent and urgency of the need;

(b) the existence of resources from which the need may be met;

(c) the possibility that some other person or body may wholly or partly meet it;

(d) where the payment is repayable, the likelihood of repayment and the time within which repayment is likely;

(e) any relevant allocation under section 147(1) to (4) of the Administration Act.

[F877 (1A) Subject to subsection (2) below, in determining whether to make an award of a budgeting loan to the applicant, or the amount or value to be awarded, an appropriate officer shall have regard to—

(a) such of the applicant’s personal circumstances as are of a description specified in directions issued by the Department; and

(b) the criteria specified in paragraphs [F878 (b), (d) and (e)] of subsection (1) above,

F879 ... ]

(2) [F880 An appropriate officer] shall determine any question in accordance with any general directions issued by the Department and in determining any question shall take account of any general guidance issued by the Department.

[F881 (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, the Department may issue directions under that subsection for the purpose of securing that allocations under section 147 of the Administration Act are not exceeded.]

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, the power to issue general directions conferred on the Department by that subsection includes power to direct—

(a) that in circumstances specified in the direction [F882 an appropriate officer] shall not determine an application and, without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph, that [F882 an appropriate officer] shall not determine an application which is made before the end of a specified period after the making of an application by the same person for a payment such as is mentioned in section 134(1)(b) above to meet the same need and without there having been any relevant change of circumstances since the previous application;

[F883 (aa) that in circumstances specified in the direction an application for an award of a community care grant may be treated as an application for an award of a crisis loan, and vice versa;]

(b) that for a category of need specified in the direction [F882 an appropriate officer] shall not award less than an amount specified in the direction;

(c) that for a category of need specified in the direction [F882 an appropriate officer] shall not award more than an amount so specified;

(d) that payments to meet a category of need specified in the direction shall in all cases or in no case be made by instalments;

[F884 (da) that the amount or value of a budgeting loan is not to exceed a sum specified or determined as specified in the direction;]

F885 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f) that a payment such as is mentioned in section 134(1)(b) above shall only be awarded to a person if either—

(i) he is in receipt of a benefit which is specified in the direction and the circumstances are such as are so specified; or

(ii) in a case where the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (i) above are not satisfied, the circumstances are such as are specified in the direction,

and the power to issue general guidance conferred on the Department by that subsection includes power to give [F886 appropriate officers] guidance as to any matter to which directions under that subsection may relate.

[F887 (4ZA) A direction under subsection (4)(da) may require the sum to be determined by applying, or by a method that includes applying, a multiplier specified in the direction in circumstances specified in the direction to the most recent relevant sum published by the Department.

(4ZB) A relevant sum is a sum determined from time to time by reference to so much of any relevant allocation under section 147(1) to (4) of the Administration Act as is available for making payments.]

(5) In determining a question [F888 an appropriate officer]shall take account (subject to any directions or guidance issued by the Department under this section) of any guidance issued by [F889 the appropriate officer nominated for his area under Article 36 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998].]

Textual Amendments

F874 S. 136 repealed (28.11.2016 in so far as relates to a community care grant or a crisis loan) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 7; S.R. 2016/411, art. 2(3)(a) (with art. 4)

F875 Words in s. 136(1) inserted (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 67(1); S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)

F876 Words in s. 136(1) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(1); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F877 S. 136(1A) inserted (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 67(2); S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)

F878 Words in s. 136(1A)(b) substituted (29.6.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 50(a), 60(2)(a)

F879 Words in s. 136(1A) repealed (29.6.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 50(b), 60(2)(a), Sch. 8

F880 Words in s. 136(2) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(2); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F881 S. 136(3) substituted (29.6.2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(2)(c), Sch. 7 para. 1(3)

F882 Words in s. 136(4) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/150 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(4)(a); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F883 S. 136(4)(aa) inserted (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 67(1); S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)

F884 S. 136(4)(da) inserted (17.2.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 78(2); S.R. 2016/46, art. 3(3)

F885 S. 136(4)(e) repealed (5.4.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 67(1), 78(2), Sch. 7; S.R. 1999/168, art. 2(a)(c)

F886 Words in s. 136(4) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(4)(b); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F887 S. 136(4ZA)(4ZB) inserted (17.2.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 78(3); S.R. 2016/46, art. 3(3)

F888 Words in s. 136(5) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(5)(a); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

F889 Words in s. 136(5) substituted (29.11.1999) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), art. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 54(5)(b); S.R. 1999/472, art. 2(1)(a), Sch. 1

[F890 Part 8A U.K. Health in pregnancy grant

Textual Amendments

F890 Pt. 8A inserted (21.7.2008 for specified purposes, 1.1.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), ss. 134, 170; S.I. 2008/3137, art. 2

136A Entitlement U.K.

(1) A woman who satisfies prescribed conditions in relation to a pregnancy of hers is entitled to payment of a lump sum (to be known as “health in pregnancy grant”).

[F891 (2) A woman is not entitled to health in pregnancy grant unless she has reached the 25th week of her pregnancy before 1st January 2011.]

(3) A woman is not entitled to health in pregnancy grant unless—

(a) she has received advice on matters relating to maternal health from a health professional;

(b) she is in Northern Ireland at the time she makes a claim for the grant in accordance with the Administration Act.

(4) Circumstances may be prescribed in which a woman is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (3)(b) as being, or as not being, in Northern Ireland.

(5) In this section—

• “health professional” has such meaning as may be prescribed,

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations, and

• “woman” means a female of any age.

(6) The power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by the Treasury.

Textual Amendments

F891 S. 136A(2) substituted (16.12.2010) by Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Act 2010 (c. 36), ss. 3(2), 4(3)

136B Amount U.K.

(1) Health in pregnancy grant is to be of an amount prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury.

(2) Different amounts may be prescribed in relation to different cases.]

Part IX N.I. Child Benefit

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C76 Pt. 9: transfer of functions in part (1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 49(2)(b), 61 (with s. 54(1)(3)(4)(6)(8)); S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

137 Child benefit. N.I.

A person who is responsible for one or more children [F892 or qualifying young persons] in any week shall be entitled, subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, to a benefit (to be known as “child benefit”) for that week in respect of the [F893 child or qualifying young person, or each of the children or qualifying young persons,] for whom he is responsible.

Textual Amendments

F892 Words in s. 137 inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), ss. 2(1)(a), 6(2)

F893 Words in s. 137 substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), ss. 2(1)(b), 6(2)

[F894 138 “Child” and “qualifying young person” N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Act a person is a child if he has not attained the age of 16.

(2) In this Part of this Act “qualifying young person” means a person, other than a child, who —

(a) has not attained such age (greater than 16) as is prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury, and

(b) satisfies conditions so prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F894 S. 138 substituted (24.3.2005 for specified purposes, 10.4.2006 in so far as not already in force) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), ss. 2(2), 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C77 S. 138 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/204), regs. 1(1), 15

C78 S. 138 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2007) by The Rate Relief (Qualifying Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/203), regs. 1(1), 15

139 Meaning of “person responsible for [F895 child or qualifying young person]”. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Act a person shall be treated as responsible for a child [F896 or qualifying young person] in any week if—

(a) he has the child [F896 or qualifying young person] living with him in that week; or

(b) he is contributing to the cost of providing for the child [F896 or qualifying young person] at a weekly rate which is not less than the weekly rate of child benefit payable in respect of the child [F896 or qualifying young person] for that week.

(2) Where a person has had a child [F897 or qualifying young person] living with him at some time before a particular week he shall be treated for the purposes of this section as having the child [F897 or qualifying young person] living with him in that week notwithstanding their absence from one another unless, in the 16 weeks preceding that week, they were absent from one another for more than 56 days not counting any day which is to be disregarded under subsection (3) below.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, a day of absence shall be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (2) above if it is due solely to the [F898 fact that the child or qualifying young person is]—

(a) receiving [F899 education or training of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Treasury];

(b) undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution; or

(c) F900 ... in such circumstances as may be prescribed, in residential accommodation pursuant to arrangements made under [F901 Article 15 or 36] of the M22 Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 [F902 or under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995].

(4) The number of days that may be disregarded by virtue of subsection (3)(b) or (c) above in the case of any child [F903 or qualifying young person] shall not exceed such number as may be prescribed unless the person claiming to be responsible for the child [F903 or qualifying young person] regularly incurs expenditure in respect [F904 of him].

(5) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated—

(a) as contributing to the cost of providing for a child [F905 or qualifying young person] as required by subsection (1)(b) above; or

(b) as regularly incurring expenditure in respect of a child [F905 or qualifying young person] as required by subsection (4) above;

and such regulations may in particular make provision whereby a contribution made or expenditure incurred by two or more persons is to be treated as made or incurred by one of them or whereby a contribution made or expenditure incurred by one of two spouses [F906 or civil partners] residing together is to be treated as made or incurred by the other.

Textual Amendments

F895 Words in s. 139 heading substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(7)

F896 Words in s. 139(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(2)

F897 Words in s. 139(2) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(3)

F898 Words in s. 139(3) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(4)(a)

F899 Words in s. 139(3)(a) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(4)(b)

F900 Word in s. 139(3)(c) repealed (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(4)(c), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

F901 Words in s. 139(3)(c) substituted (22.11.2000) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 63; S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

F902 Words in s. 139(3)(c) added (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 185; S.R. 1996/297, art. 2

F903 Words in s. 139(4) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(5)(a)

F904 Words in s. 139(4) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(5)(b)

F905 Words in s. 139(5) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 35(6)

F906 Words in s. 139(5) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 100; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Marginal Citations

M22 S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

140 Exclusions and priority. N.I.

F907 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Schedule 9 to this Act shall have effect for excluding entitlement to child benefit F908 ...

(3) Where, apart from this subsection, two or more persons would be entitled to child benefit in respect of the same child [F909 or qualifying young person] for the same week, one of them only shall be entitled; and the question which of them is entitled shall be determined in accordance with Schedule 10 to this Act.

Textual Amendments

F907 S. 140(1) repealed (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 36(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

F908 Words in s. 140(2) repealed (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 36(3), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

F909 Words in s. 140(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 36(4)

141 Rate of child benefit. N.I.

(1) Child benefit shall be payable by the Department at such weekly rate as may be prescribed.

(2) Different rates may be prescribed in relation to different cases, whether by reference to the age of the child [F910 or qualifying young person] in respect of whom the benefit is payable or otherwise.

(3) The power to prescribe different rates under subsection (2) above shall be exercised so as to bring different rates into force on such day as the Department may by order specify.

(4) No rate prescribed in place of a rate previously in force shall be lower than the rate that it replaces.

F911 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F910 Words in s. 141(2) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 37

F911 S. 141(5) repealed (1.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

[F912 141A Entitlement after death of child [F913 or qualifying young person] N.I.

(1) If a child [F914 or qualifying young person] dies and a person is entitled to child benefit in respect of him for the week in which his death occurs, that person shall be entitled to child benefit in respect of the child [F915 or qualifying young person] for a prescribed period following that week.

(2) If the person entitled to child benefit under subsection (1) dies before the end of that prescribed period and, at the time of his death, was—

(a) a member of a married couple [F916 or civil partnership] and living with the person to whom he was married [F916 or who was his civil partner], or

(b) a member of [F917 a cohabiting couple],

that other member of the [F918 couple or partnership] shall be entitled to child benefit for the period for which the dead person would have been entitled to child benefit under subsection (1) above but for his death.

(3) If a child dies before the end of the week in which he is born, subsections (1) and (2) apply in his case as if references to the person entitled to child benefit in respect of a child for the week in which his death occurs were to the person who would have been so entitled if the child had been alive at the beginning of that week (and if any conditions which were satisfied, and any facts which existed, at the time of his death were satisfied or existed then).

(4) Where a person is entitled to child benefit in respect of a child [F919 or qualifying young person] under this section, section 77 applies with the omission of subsections (4) to (6).

(5) In this section—

• [F920 “civil partnership” means two people F921 ... who are civil partners of each other and are neither—

  (a)

  separated under a court order, nor

  (b)

  separated in circumstances in which the separation is likely to be permanent,]

• [F922 “cohabiting couple” means two people who are not married to, or civil partners of, each other but are living together as if spouses of each other;]

• “married couple” means a man and a woman who are married to each other and are neither—

  (a)

  separated under a court order, nor

  (b)

  separated in circumstances in which the separation is likely to be permanent, and

• F923 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F924 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

Textual Amendments

F912 S. 141A inserted (26.2.2003 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 55(1)(b)(2), 61; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

F913 Words in s. 141A heading inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 38(4)

F914 Words in s. 141A(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 38(2)(a)

F915 Words in s. 141A(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 38(2)(b)

F916 Words in s. 141A(2)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 101(2)(a); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F917 Words in s. 141A(2)(b) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(15)(a) (with regs. 6-9)

F918 Words in s. 141A(2) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 101(2)(c); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F919 Words in s. 141A(4) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 38(3)

F920 Words in s. 141A(5) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 101(3); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F921 Words in s. 141A(5) omitted (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(15)(b)(i) (with regs. 6-9)

F922 Words in s. 141A(5) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(15)(b)(ii) (with regs. 6-9)

F923 Words in s. 141A(5) omitted (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(15)(b)(iii) (with regs. 6-9)

F924 S. 141A(6) omitted (13.1.2020) by virtue of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(15)(c) (with regs. 6-9)

[F925 142 Presence in Northern Ireland. N.I.

(1) No child benefit shall be payable in respect of a child [F926 or qualifying young person] for a week unless he is in Northern Ireland in that week.

(2) No person shall be entitled to child benefit for a week unless he is in Northern Ireland in that week.

(3) Circumstances may be prescribed in which [F927 any] person is to be treated for the purposes of [F928 subsection (1) or (2) above] as being, or as not being, in Northern Ireland.]

Textual Amendments

F925 S. 142 substituted (26.2.2003 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 56(2), 61; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F926 Words in s. 142(1) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 39(2)

F927 Word in s. 142(3) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 39(3)(a)

F928 Words in s. 142(3) substituted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 39(3)(b)

F929 142A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F929 S. 142A repealed (3.4.2000) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 para. 93, Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch.

143 Interpretation of Part IX and supplementary provisions. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

• F930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “voluntary organisation” means any association carrying on or proposing to carry on any activities otherwise than for the purpose of gain by the association or by individual members of the association;

• “week” means a period of 7 days beginning with a Monday.

(2) Subject to any provision made by regulations, references in this Part of this Act to any condition being satisfied or any facts existing in a week shall be construed as references to the condition being satisfied or the facts existing at the beginning of that week.

(3) References in this Part of this Act to a parent, father or mother of a child [F931 or qualifying young person] shall be construed—

(a) as including references to the natural parent, father or mother of an illegitimate child;

(b) as including references to a step-parent, step-father or step-mother.

(4) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which persons are or are not to be treated for the purposes of this Part of this Act as residing together.

(5) Regulations may make provision as to the circumstances in which [F932 a marriage during the subsistence of which a party to it is at any time married to more than one person is to be treated for the purposes of this Part of this Act as having, or not having, the same consequences as any other marriage.]

(6) Nothing in this Part of this Act shall be construed as conferring a right to child benefit on any body corporate; but regulations may confer such a right on voluntary organisations and for that purpose may make such modifications as the Department thinks fit—

(a) of any provision of this Part of this Act; or

(b) of any provision of the Administration Act relating to child benefit.

Textual Amendments

F930 Words in s. 143(1) repealed (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 40(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

F931 Words in s. 143(3) inserted (10.4.2006) by Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6), s. 6(2), Sch. 1 para. 40(3)

F932 Words in s. 143(5) substituted (14.2.1996) by S.I. 1995/3211 (N.I. 20), art. 5, Sch. para. 4(3)

Part X N.I. Christmas bonus for pensioners

144 Entitlement of pensioners to Christmas bonus. N.I.

(1) Any person who in any year—

(a) is present or ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom or any other member State at any time during the relevant week; and

(b) is entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit in respect of a period which includes a day in that week or is to be treated as entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit in respect of such a period,

shall, subject to the following provisions of this Part of this Act and to section 1 of the Administration Act, be entitled to payment under this subsection in respect of that year.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this Part of this Act, any person who is a member of a couple and is entitled to a payment under subsection (1) above in respect of a year shall also be entitled to payment under this subsection in respect of that year if—

(a) both members have attained pensionable age not later than the end of the relevant week; and

(b) the other member satisfies the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above; and

(c) either—

(i) he is entitled or treated as entitled, in respect of the other member, to an increase in the payment of the qualifying benefit; or

(ii) the only qualifying benefit to which he is entitled is [F933 state pension credit].

[F934 (2ZA) In a case where a person is entitled to a payment of armed forces independence payment, the reference in subsection (1) to section 1 of the Administration Act is to be read as a reference to article 43 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517).]

[F935 (2A) In a case falling within paragraph (c)(ii) of subsection (2) above, paragraph (a) of that subsection has effect with the substitution of “qualifying age for state pension credit” for “pensionable age”.]

(3) A payment under subsection (1) or (2) above—

(a) is to be made by the Department; and

(b) is to be of £10 or such larger sum as the Department may by order specify.

(4) F936 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Only one sum shall be payable in respect of any person.

Textual Amendments

F933 Words in s. 144(2)(c)(ii) substituted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14(N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 5(a); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F934 S. 144(2ZA) inserted (20.12.2013) by The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3233), arts. 1, 2(3)

F935 S. 144(2A) inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14(N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 5(b); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F936 S. 144(4) omitted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, and repealed 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14(N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 5(c), Sch. 3; S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l) ; S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

145 Provisions supplementary to s. 144. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of section 144 above the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar shall be treated as though they were part of the United Kingdom.

(2) A person shall be treated for the purposes of section 144(1)(b) above as entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit if he would be so entitled—

(a) in the case of a qualifying benefit [F937 other than state pension credit], but for the fact that he or, if he is a member of a couple, the other member is entitled to receive some other payment out of public funds;

(b) in the case of [F938 state pension credit], but for the fact that his income or, if he is a member of a couple, the income of the other member was exceptionally of an amount which resulted in his having ceased to be entitled to [F938 state pension credit].

(3) A person shall be treated for the purposes of section 144(2)(c)(i) above as entitled in respect of the other member of the couple to an increase in a payment of a qualifying benefit if he would be so entitled—

(a) but for the fact that he or the other member is entitled to receive some other payment out of public funds;

(b) but for the operation of any provision of F939 ... paragraph 6(4) of Schedule 7 to this Act or any regulations made under paragraph 6(3) of that Schedule whereby entitlement to benefit is affected by the amount of a person’s earnings in a given period.

(4) For the purposes of section 144 above a person shall be taken not to be entitled to a payment of a war disablement pension unless not later than the end of the relevant week he has attained [F940 pensionable age].

(5) A sum payable under section 144 above shall not be treated as benefit for the purposes of any enactment or instrument under which entitlement to the relevant qualifying benefit arises or is to be treated as arising.

(6) A payment and the right to receive a payment—

(a) under section 144 above or any enactment corresponding to it in Great Britain; or

(b) under regulations relating to widows which are made by the Secretary of State under any enactment relating to police and which contain a statement that the regulations provide for payments corresponding to payments under that section,

shall be disregarded for all purposes of income tax and for the purposes of any enactment or instrument under which regard is had to a person’s means.

Textual Amendments

F937 Words in s. 145(2)(a) substituted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(a); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F938 Words in s. 145(2)(b) substituted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 6(b); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F939 Words in s. 145(3)(b) repealed (6.4.2010 with savings until 6.4.2020) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 4(4), Sch. 1 para. 17, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 (with s. 4(5)-(8))

F940 Words in s. 145(4) substituted (6.12.2018) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1 para. 40 (as amended, in the case of s. 11, by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2012 (c. 3), s. 34(2), Sch. 1 para. 5(b))

146 Interpretation of Part X. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act “qualifying benefit” means—

(a) a retirement pension;

[F941 (b) long-term incapacity benefit;]

[F942 (ba) a qualifying employment and support allowance;]

[F943 (bb) personal independence payment [F944 under Part 5 of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015];]

[F945 (zc) armed forces independence payment;]

(c) a widowed mother’s allowance [F946 , widowed parent’s allowance] or widow’s pension;

F947 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) [F948 a carer’s allowance];

(f) industrial death benefit;

(g) an attendance allowance;

(h) an unemployability supplement or allowance;

(i) a war disablement pension;

(j) a war widow’s pension;

(k) [F949 state pension credit].

[F950 (l) a mobility supplement]

(2) In this Part of this Act—

• [F951 “armed forces independence payment” means armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/517);]

• “attendance allowance” means—

  (a)

  an attendance allowance;

  (b)

  a disability living allowance;

  (c)

  an increase of disablement pension under section 104 or 105 above;

  (d)

  F952 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (e)

  an increase of allowance under Article 8 of the M23 Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis and Miscellaneous Diseases Benefit Scheme 1983 (constant attendance allowance for certain persons to whom that Scheme applies) or under the corresponding provision of any Scheme which may replace that Scheme;

  (f)

  an allowance in respect of constant attendance on account of disablement for which a person is in receipt of war disablement pension, including an allowance in respect of exceptionally severe disablement;

• [F953 “mobility supplement” means a supplement awarded in respect of disablement which affects a person’s ability to walk and for which the person is in receipt of war disablement pension;]

• [F954 “pensionable age” has the meaning given by the rules in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;]

• [F955 “the qualifying age for state pension credit” is (in accordance with section 1(2)(b) and (6) of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002)—

  (a)

  in the case of a woman, pensionable age; or

  (b)

  in the case of a man, the age which is pensionable age in the case of a woman born on the same day as the man;]

• [F956 “qualifying employment and support allowance” means [F957 a contributory allowance] under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 the calculation of the amount of which includes an addition in respect of the support component or the work-related activity component;]

• [F958 “retirement pension” means—

  (a)

  a state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015,

  (b)

  a retirement pension under this Act, or

  (c)

  graduated retirement benefit.]

• [F959 “state pension credit” means state pension credit under the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002;]

• “unemployability supplement or allowance” means—

  (a)

  an unemployability supplement payable under Part I of Schedule 7 to this Act; or

  (b)

  any corresponding allowance payable—

  (i)

  F952 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (ii)

  by way of supplement to retired pay or pension exempt from income tax under [F960 section 641 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003] ;

  (iii)

  under the M24 Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939; F961 ...

  (iv)

  by way of supplement to retired pay or pension under the M25 Polish Resettlement Act 1947; [F962 or

  (v)

  F963 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

• “war disablement pension” means—

  (a)

  any retired pay, pension or allowance granted in respect of disablement under powers conferred by or under the M26 Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917, the M27 Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939, the M28 Pensions (Navy, Army, Air Force and Mercantile Marine) Act 1939, the M29 Polish Resettlement Act 1947, or Part VII or section 151 of the M30 Reserve Forces Act 1980;

  (b)

  without prejudice to paragraph (a) of this definition, any retired pay or pension to which [F964 any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 641(1) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003] applies;

• “war widow’s pension” means any widow’s [F965 or surviving civil partner's] pension or allowance granted in respect of a death due to service or war injury and payable by virtue of any enactment mentioned in paragraph (a) of the preceding definition or a pension or allowance for a widow [F966 or surviving civil partner] granted under any scheme mentioned in [F967 section 641(1)(e) or (f) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003];

and each of the following expressions, namely “attendance allowance”, “unemployability supplement or allowance”, “war disablement pension” and “war widow’s pension”, includes any payment which the Department accepts as being analogous to it.

[F968 (3) In this Part of this Act, “couple” has the meaning given by section 133(1) above.]

(4) In this Part of this Act “the relevant week”, in relation to any year, means the week beginning with the first Monday in December or such other week as may be specified in an order made by the Department.

Textual Amendments

F941 S. 146(1)(b) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 33; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F942 S. 146(1)(ba) inserted (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(11)(a); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F943 S. 146(1)(bb) inserted (20.6.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 9 para. 5; S.R. 2016/215, art. 3(2)

F944 Words in s. 146(1)(bb) inserted (20.6.2016) by The Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/228), regs. 1, 5(4)

F945 S. 146(1)(zc) inserted (20.12.2013) by The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3233), arts. 1, 2(4)(a)

F946 Words in s. 146(1)(c) inserted (24.4.2000 for specified purposes and 9.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 11; S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. Pt. I

F947 S. 146(1)(d) repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

F948 Words in s. 146(1)(e) substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(v)

F949 Words in s. 146(1)(k) substituted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 7(a); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F950 S. 146(1)(l) inserted (16.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 129(2)

F951 Words in s. 146(2) inserted (20.12.2013) by The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Consequential Provisions: Primary Legislation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3233), arts. 1, 2(4)(b)

F952 Words in s. 146(2) repealed (31.10.2016) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 6; S.R. 2016/234, art. 3(3)

F953 Definition in s. 146(2) inserted (16.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 129(3)(a)

F954 Definition in s. 146(2) substituted (16.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 123, Sch. 2 Pt. III para. 9(b)

F955 S. 146(2): definition of "the qualifying age for state pension credit" inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 7(b); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F956 Words in s. 146(2) inserted (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), s. 60(1), Sch. 3 para. 3(11)(b); S.R. 2008/276, art. 2(2)(d), Sch. Pt. 2

F957 Words in s. 146(2) substituted (13.8.2010) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 13), ss. 30(3), 36(1)(m)

F958 Words in s. 146(2) substituted (6.4.2016) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 5), s. 53(3), Sch. 12 para. 71

F959 S. 146(2): definition of "state pension credit" inserted (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 14, 21(2), Sch. 2 para. 7(b); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(l) ; S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

F960 Words in s. 146(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 201(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F961 S. 146(2): word in definition in sub-para.(b) repealed (16.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 168, Sch. 5 Pt. II

F962 S. 146(2): word and sub-para.(v) inserted (16.12.1995) in para.(b) of the definition of "unemployability supplement or allowance" by S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 1(3), 129(3)(c)

F963 Words in s. 146(2) repealed (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 201(2)(b), Sch. 8 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 7)

F964 Words in s. 146(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 201(3) (with Sch. 7)

F965 Words in s. 146(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 102(2)(a); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F966 Words in s. 146(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 102(2)(b); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

F967 Words in s. 146(2) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 723(1)(a)(b) of the amending Act) by Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), s. 723, Sch. 6 para. 201(4) (with Sch. 7)

F968 S. 146(3) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(8)(d), Sch. 24 para. 102(3); S.I. 2005/3255, art. 2(1), Sch.

Marginal Citations

M23 S.I.1983/136.

M24 1939 c. 82.

M25 1947 c. 19.

M26 1917 c. 51.

M27 1939 c. 83.

M28 1939 c. 83.

M29 1947 c. 19.

M30 1980 c. 9.

Part XI N.I. Statutory Sick Pay

147 Employer’s liability. N.I.

(1) Where an employee has a day of incapacity for work in relation to his contract of service with an employer, that employer shall, if the conditions set out in sections 148 to 150 below are satisfied, be liable to make him, in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act, a payment (to be known as “statutory sick pay”) in respect of that day.

(2) Any agreement shall be void to the extent that it purports—

(a) to exclude, limit or otherwise modify any provision of this Part of this Act, or

(b) to require an employee to contribute (whether directly or indirectly) towards any costs incurred by his employer under this Part of this Act.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement between an employer and an employee authorising any deductions from statutory sick pay which the employer is liable to pay to the employee in respect of any period shall not be void by virtue of subsection (2)(a) above if the employer—

(a) is authorised by that or another agreement to make the same deductions from any contractual remuneration which he is liable to pay in respect of the same period, or

(b) would be so authorised if he were liable to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

(4) For the purposes of this Part of this Act [F969 a day of incapacity for work in relation to a contract of service means a day on which] the employee concerned is, or is deemed in accordance with regulations to be, incapable by reason of some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement of doing work which he can reasonably be expected to do under that contract.

[F970 (4A) Regulations under subsection (4) may make provision about whether an employee is deemed to be incapable (as referred to in that subsection) in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by reference to guidance or any other document published by the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being, Public Health England, NHS National Services Scotland, the Public Health Wales National Health Service Trust or any other person specified in the regulations as that guidance or other document is amended from time to time.]

(5) In any case where an employee has more than one contract of service with the same employer the provisions of this Part of this Act shall, except in such cases as may be prescribed and subject to the following provisions of this Part of this Act, have effect as if the employer were a different employer in relation to each contract of service.

(6) Circumstances may be prescribed in which, notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) to (5) above, the liability to make payments of statutory sick pay is to be a liability of the [F971 Commissioners of Inland Revenue].

[F972 (7) Regulations under subsection (6) above must be made with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue]

Textual Amendments

F969 Words in s. 147(4) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 34; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

F970 S. 147(4A) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 44(a), 87(1) (with ss. 88-90 and S.I. 2022/151, art. 2)

F971 Words in s. 147(6) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F972 S. 147(7) added (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

The qualifying conditions N.I.

148 Period of incapacity for work. N.I.

(1) The first condition is that the day in question forms part of a period of incapacity for work.

(2) In this Part of this Act “period of incapacity for work” means any period of four or more consecutive days, each of which is a day of incapacity for work in relation to the contract of service in question.

(3) Any two periods of incapacity for work which are separated by a period of not more than 8 weeks shall be treated as a single period of incapacity for work.

(4) The Department may by regulations direct that a larger number of weeks specified in the regulations shall be substituted for the number of weeks for the time being specified in subsection (3) above.

(5) No day of the week shall be disregarded in calculating any period of consecutive days for the purposes of this section.

(6) A day may be a day of incapacity for work in relation to a contract of service, and so form part of a period of incapacity for work, notwithstanding that—

(a) it falls before the making of the contract or after the contract expires or is brought to an end; or

(b) it is not a day on which the employee concerned would be required by that contract to be available for work.

149 Period of entitlement. N.I.

(1) The second condition is that the day in question falls within a period which is, as between the employee and his employer, a period of entitlement.

(2) For the purposes of this Part of this Act a period of entitlement, as between an employee and his employer, is a period beginning with the commencement of a period of incapacity for work and ending with whichever of the following first occurs—

(a) the termination of that period of incapacity for work;

(b) the day on which the employee reaches, as against the employer concerned, his maximum entitlement to statutory sick pay (determined in accordance with section 151 below);

(c) the day on which the employee’s contract of service with the employer concerned expires or is brought to an end;

(d) in the case of an employee who is, or has been, pregnant, the day immediately preceding the beginning of the disqualifying period.

(3) Schedule 11 to this Act has effect for the purpose of specifying circumstances in which a period of entitlement does not arise in relation to a particular period of incapacity for work.

(4) A period of entitlement as between an employee and an employer of his may also be, or form part of, a period of entitlement as between him and another employer of his.

(5) The Department may by regulations—

(a) specify circumstances in which, for the purpose of determining whether an employee’s maximum entitlement to statutory sick pay has been reached in a period of entitlement as between him and an employer of his, days falling within a previous period of entitlement as between the employee and any person who is or has in the past been an employer of his are to be counted; and

(b) direct that in prescribed circumstances an employer shall provide a person who is about to leave his employment, or who has been employed by him in the past, with a statement in the prescribed form containing such information as may be prescribed in relation to any entitlement of the employee to statutory sick pay.

(6) Regulations may provide, in relation to prescribed cases, for a period of entitlement to end otherwise than in accordance with subsection (2) above.

(7) In a case where the employee’s contract of service first takes effect on a day which falls within a period of incapacity for work, the period of entitlement begins with that day.

(8) In a case where the employee’s contract of service first takes effect between two periods of incapacity for work which by virtue of section 148(3) above are treated as one, the period of entitlement begins with the first day of the second of those periods.

(9) In any case where, otherwise than by virtue of section 6(1)(b) above, an employee’s earnings under a contract of service in respect of the day on which the contract takes effect do not attract a liability to pay secondary Class 1 contributions, subsections (7) and (8) above shall have effect as if for any reference to the contract first taking effect there were substituted a reference to the first day in respect of which the employee’s earnings attract such a liability.

(10) Regulations shall make provision as to an employer’s liability under this Part of this Act to pay statutory sick pay to an employee in any case where the employer’s contract of service with that employee has been brought to an end by the employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory sick pay.

(11) Subsection (2)(d) above does not apply in relation to an employee who has been pregnant if her pregnancy terminated, before the beginning of the disqualifying period, otherwise than by confinement.

(12) In this section—

• “confinement” is to be construed in accordance with section 167(1) below;

• “disqualifying period” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a woman entitled to statutory maternity pay, the maternity pay period; and

  (b)

  in relation to a woman entitled to maternity allowance, the maternity allowance period;

• “maternity allowance period” has the meaning assigned to it by section 35(2) above, and

• “maternity pay period” has the meaning assigned to it by section 161(1) below.

150 Qualifying days. N.I.

(1) The third condition is that the day in question is a qualifying day.

(2) The days which are for the purposes of this Part of this Act to be qualifying days as between an employee and an employer of his (that is to say, those days of the week on which he is required by his contract of service with that employer to be available for work or which are chosen to reflect the terms of that contract) shall be such day or days as may, subject to regulations, be agreed between the employee and his employer or, failing such agreement, determined in accordance with regulations.

(3) In any case where qualifying days are determined by agreement between an employee and his employer there shall, in each week (beginning with Sunday), be at least one qualifying day.

(4) A day which is a qualifying day as between an employee and an employer of his may also be a qualifying day as between him and another employer of his.

Limitations on entitlement, etc. N.I.

151 Limitations on entitlement. N.I.

(1) Statutory sick pay shall not be payable for the first three qualifying days in any period of entitlement.

(2) An employee shall not be entitled, as against any one employer, to an aggregate amount of statutory sick pay in respect of any one period of entitlement which exceeds his maximum entitlement.

(3) The maximum entitlement as against any one employer is reached on the day on which the amount to which the employee has become entitled by way of statutory sick pay during the period of entitlement in question first reaches or passes the entitlement limit.

(4) The entitlement limit is an amount equal to 28 times [F973 the weekly rate applicable in accordance with] section 153 below.

(5) Regulations may make provision for calculating the entitlement limit in any case where an employee’s entitlement to statutory sick pay is calculated by reference to different weekly rates in the same period of entitlement.

Textual Amendments

F973 Words in s. 151(4) substituted (6.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 10(4); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C79 S. 151(1): power to disapply conferred (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 43, 87(1) (with ss. 88-90 and S.I. 2022/362, reg. 3)

C80 S. 151(1) disapplied (temp.) (28.3.2020) by The Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Suspension of Waiting Days and General Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/54), regs. 1, 2 (made under Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 43, which section was extended by S.I. 2022/362, reg. 3 and expired (25.9.2022) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), s. 89 with savings in S.I. 2022/987, regs. 1(1), 2)

152 Notification of incapacity for work. N.I.

(1) Regulations shall prescribe the manner in which, and the time within which, notice of any day of incapacity for work is to be given by or on behalf of an employee to his employer.

(2) An employer who would, apart from this section, be liable to pay an amount of statutory sick pay to an employee in respect of a qualifying day (the “day in question”) shall be entitled to withhold payment of that amount if—

(a) the day in question is one in respect of which he has not been duly notified in accordance with regulations under subsection (1) above; or

(b) he has not been so notified in respect of any of the first three qualifying days in a period of entitlement (a “waiting day”) and the day in question is the first qualifying day in that period of entitlement in respect of which the employer is not entitled to withhold payment—

(i) by virtue of paragraph (a) above; or

(ii) in respect of an earlier waiting day by virtue of this paragraph.

(3) Where an employer withholds any amount of statutory sick pay under this section—

(a) the period of entitlement in question shall not be affected; and

(b) for the purposes of calculating his maximum entitlement in accordance with section 151 above the employee shall not be taken to have become entitled to the amount so withheld.

Rate of payment, etc. N.I.

153 Rate of payment. N.I.

(1) Statutory sick pay shall be payable by an employer at the weekly rate of [F974 £95∙85].

(2) The Department may by order—

[F975 (a) amend subsection (1) above so as to substitute different provision as to the weekly rate or rates of statutory sick pay; and]

(b) make such consequential amendments as appear to the Department to be required of any provision contained in this Part of this Act.

(3) The amount of statutory sick pay payable by any one employer in respect of any day shall be the weekly rate applicable on that day divided by the number of days which are, in the week (beginning with Sunday) in which that day falls, qualifying days as between that employer and the employee concerned.

Textual Amendments

F974 Sum in s. 153(1) substituted (6.4.2020) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/40), arts. 1(1)(c), 9

F975 S. 153(2)(a) substituted (6.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 10(3); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III

F976 154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F976 S. 154 repealed (6.4.1995) (subject to savings made by regulations under s. 155A(4) of this Act) by S.R. 1995/69, art. 5

F977 155 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F977 S. 155 repealed (6.4.1995 subject to savings made by regulation under s. 155A(4) of this Act) by S.R. 1995/69, art. 5(a)

[F978 155A Power to provide for recovery by employers of sums paid by way of statutory sick pay. N.I.

(1) [F979 The Secretary of State]] may by order provide for the recovery by employers, in accordance with the order, of the amount (if any) by which their payments of, or liability incurred for, statutory sick pay in any period exceeds the specified percentage of the amount of their liability for contributions payments in respect of the corresponding period.

(2) An order under subsection (1) above may include provision—

(a) as to the periods by reference to which the calculation referred to above is to be made,

(b) for amounts which would otherwise be recoverable but which do not exceed the specified minimum for recovery not to be recoverable,

(c) for the rounding up or down of any fraction of a pound which would otherwise result from a calculation made in accordance with the order, and

(d) for any deduction from contributions payments made in accordance with the order to be disregarded for such purposes as may be specified,

and may repeal sections 154 and 155 above and make any amendments of other statutory provisions which are consequential on the repeal of those sections.

(3) In this section—

• “contributions payments” means payments which a person is required by or under any statutory provision to make in discharge of any liability of his as an employer in respect of primary or secondary Class 1 contributions; and

• “specified” means specified in or determined in accordance with an order under subsection (1).

(4) [F979 The Secretary of State] may by regulations make such transitional and consequential provision, and such savings, as it considers necessary or expedient for or in connection with the coming into operation of any order under subsection (1) above.

Textual Amendments

F978 S. 155A inserted (22.3.1994) by S.I. 1994/766 (N.I. 5), arts. 1(2), 5(1)

F979 Words in s. 155A(1)(4) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 11 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

[F980 155B Funding of employers' statutory sick pay liabilities in relation to coronavirus N.I.

(1) The Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs may by regulations make provision for the payment by employers of statutory sick pay in respect of incapacity for work related to coronavirus to be funded by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to such extent and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may—

(a) make provision for a person who has made a payment of statutory sick pay in respect of an employee whose incapacity for work is related to coronavirus to be entitled, except in prescribed circumstances, to recover some or all of that payment;

(b) include provision for a person who has made a payment of statutory sick pay in respect of an employee whose incapacity for work is related to coronavirus to be entitled, except in prescribed circumstances, to recover an additional amount, determined in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision about when an employee's incapacity for work is related to coronavirus.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for funding in advance as well as in arrear;

(b) for funding, or the recovery of amounts due under provision made by virtue of subsection (2)(b), by means of deductions from such amounts for which employers are accountable to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs as may be prescribed, or otherwise;

(c) for the recovery by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs of any sums overpaid to employers under the regulations.

(5) Where in accordance with any provision of regulations under subsection (1) an amount has been deducted from an employer's contributions payments, the amount so deducted is (except in such cases as may be prescribed) to be treated for the purposes of any provision made by or under any statutory provision in relation to primary or secondary Class 1 contributions—

(a) as having been paid (on such date as may be determined in accordance with the regulations), and

(b) as having been received by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs,

towards discharging the employer's liability in respect of such contributions.

(6) Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision—

(a) about the procedure for an employer to make a claim under those regulations;

(b) about the determination of claims by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;

(c) requiring an employer to keep records in relation to payments of statutory sick pay in respect of incapacity for work related to coronavirus.

(7) Regulations under subsection (1) may have retrospective effect in relation to a day of incapacity for work that falls on or after 13 March 2020.

(8) In this section—

• “contributions payments”, in relation to an employer, means any payments which the employer is required, by or under any statutory provision, to make in discharge of any liability in respect of primary or secondary Class 1 contributions;

• “coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;

• “prescribed” means specified in or determined in accordance with regulations made under subsection (1).

(9) Regulations under subsection (1) must be made with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.]

Textual Amendments

F980 S. 155B inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 42(1), 87(1) (with ss. 88-90)

Miscellaneous N.I.

156 Relationship with benefits and other payments, etc. N.I.

Schedule 12 to this Act has effect with respect to the relationship between statutory sick pay and certain benefits and payments.

157 Crown employment - Part XI. N.I.

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the provisions of this Part of this Act apply in relation to persons employed by or under the Crown as they apply in relation to persons employed otherwise than by or under the Crown.

(2) The provisions of this Part of this Act do not apply in relation to persons serving as members of Her Majesty’s forces, in their capacity as such.

(3) For the purposes of this section Her Majesty’s forces shall be taken to consist of such establishments and organisations as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State [F981 with the concurrence of the Treasury], being establishments and organisations in which persons serve under the control of the Defence Council.

Textual Amendments

F981 Words in s. 157(3) inserted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 12 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

158 Special classes of persons. N.I.

(1) The Department may [F982 with the concurrence of the Treasury] make regulations modifying this Part of this Act in such manner as the Department thinks proper in their application to any person who is, has been or is to be—

(a) employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft; or

(b) outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may in particular provide—

(a) for any provision of this Part to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply;

(b) for any such provision not to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would otherwise apply;

(c) for excepting any such person from the application of any such provision where he neither is domiciled nor has a place of residence in Northern Ireland;

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of the determination of any question arising under any such provision, in a country or territory other than Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

Textual Amendments

F982 Words in s. 158(1) inserted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 13 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

159 Interpretation of Part XI and supplementary provisions. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “contract of service” (except in paragraph (a) of the definition below of “employee”) includes any arrangement providing for the terms of appointment of an employee;

• “employee” means a person who is—

  (a)

  gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service or in an office (including elective office) with [F983 earnings (within the meaning of Parts 1 to 5 above)]; F984 ...

  (b)

  F984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  but subject to regulations, which may provide for cases where any such person is not to be treated as an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act and for cases where any person who would not otherwise be an employee for those purposes is to be treated as an employee for those purposes;

• [F985 “employer”, in relation to an employee and a contract of service of his, means a person who—

  (a)

  under section 6 above is liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in relation to any earnings of the employee under the contract; or

  (b)

  would be liable to pay such contributions but for—

  (i)

  the condition in section 6(1)(b); or

  (ii)

  the employee being under the age of 16;]

• “period of entitlement” has the meaning given by section 149 above;

• “period of incapacity for work” has the meaning given by section 148 above;

• F986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

• “qualifying day” has the meaning given by section 150 above;

• “week” means any period of 7 days.

(2) For the purposes of this Part of this Act an employee’s normal weekly earnings shall, subject to subsection (4) below, be taken to be the average weekly earnings which in the relevant period have been paid to him or paid for his benefit under his contract of service with the employer in question.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, the expressions “earnings” and “relevant period” shall have the meaning given to them by regulations.

(4) In such cases as may be prescribed an employee’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated in accordance with regulations.

(5) Without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act, regulations may specify cases in which, for the purposes of this Part of this Act or such of its provisions as may be prescribed—

(a) two or more employers are to be treated as one;

(b) two or more contracts of service in respect of which the same person is an employee are to be treated as one.

(6) Where, in consequence of the establishment of one or more Health and Social Services trusts under the M31 Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, a person’s contract of employment is treated by a scheme under that Order as divided so as to constitute two or more contracts, regulations may make provision enabling him to elect for all of those contracts to be treated as one contract for the purposes of this Part of this Act or of such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed; and any such regulations may prescribe—

(a) the conditions that must be satisfied if a person is to be entitled to make such an election;

(b) the manner in which, and the time within which, such an election is to be made;

(c) the persons to whom, and the manner in which, notice of such an election is to be given;

(d) the information which a person who makes such an election is to provide, and the persons to whom, and the time within which, he is to provide it;

(e) the time for which such an election is to have effect;

(f) which one of the person’s employers under the two or more contracts is to be regarded for the purposes of statutory sick pay as his employer under the one contract;

and the powers conferred by this subsection are without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act.

(7) Regulations may provide for periods of work which begin on one day and finish on the following day to be treated, for the purposes of this Part of this Act, as falling solely within one or other of those days.

Textual Amendments

F983 Words in s. 159(1) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 9

F984 Words in s. 159(1) repealed (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(2)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50)

F985 Words in s. 159(1) substituted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(2)(b) (with reg. 50)

F986 Definition in s. 159(1) repealed (7.10.1996) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 40(2), Sch. 3; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M31 S.I. 1991/194 (N.I. 1).

Part XII N.I. Statutory Maternity Pay

160 Statutory maternity pay - entitlement and liability to pay. N.I.

(1) Where a woman who is or has been an employee satisfies the conditions set out in this section, she shall be entitled, in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act, to payments to be known as “statutory maternity pay”.

(2) The conditions mentioned in subsection (1) above are—

(a) that she has been in employed earner’s employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks ending with the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of confinement but has ceased to work for him F987 . . . ;

(b) that her normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of confinement are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) above immediately before the commencement of the 14th week before the expected week of confinement; and

(c) that she has become pregnant and has reached, or been confined before reaching, the commencement of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement.

(3) The liability to make payments of statutory maternity pay to a woman is a liability of any person of whom she has been an employee as mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above.

[F988 (4) A woman shall be entitled to payments of statutory maternity pay only if—

(a) she gives the person who will be liable to pay it notice of the date from which she expects his liability to pay her statutory maternity pay to begin; and

(b) the notice is given at least 28 days before that date or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as is reasonably practicable.]

(5) The notice shall be in writing if the person who is liable to pay the woman statutory maternity pay so requests.

(6) Any agreement shall be void to the extent that it purports—

(a) to exclude, limit or otherwise modify any provision of this Part of this Act; or

(b) to require an employee or former employee to contribute (whether directly or indirectly) towards any costs incurred by her employer or former employer under this Part of this Act.

(7) For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement between an employer and an employee authorising any deductions from statutory maternity pay which the employer is liable to pay to the employee in respect of any period shall not be void by virtue of subsection (6)(a) above if the employer—

(a) is authorised by that or another agreement to make the same deductions from any contractual remuneration which he is liable to pay in respect of the same period, or

(b) would be so authorised if he were liable to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

(8) Regulations shall make provision as to a former employer’s liability to pay statutory maternity pay to a woman in any case where the former employer’s contract of service with her has been brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory maternity pay.

(9) The Department may by regulations—

(a) specify circumstances in which, notwithstanding subsections (1) to (8) above, there is to be no liability to pay statutory maternity pay in respect of a week;

(b) specify circumstances in which, notwithstanding subsections (1) to (8) above, the liability to make payments of statutory maternity pay is to be a liability [F989 of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue];

(c) specify in what circumstances employment is to be treated as continuous for the purposes of this Part of this Act;

(d) provide that a woman is to be treated as being employed for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks where—

(i) she has been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks under two or more separate contracts of service; and

(ii) those contracts were not continuous;

(e) provide that any of the provisions specified in subsection (10) below shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications[F990 in such cases as may be prescribed]

[F991 (ea) provide that subsection (4) above shall not have effect, or shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications, in such cases as may be prescribed;]

(f) provide for amounts earned by a woman under separate contracts of service with the same employer to be aggregated for the purposes of this Part of this Act; and

(g) provide that—

(i) the amount of a woman’s earnings for any period, or

(ii) the amount of her earnings to be treated as comprised in any payment made to her or for her benefit,

shall be calculated or estimated in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed and that for that purpose payments of a particular class or description made or falling to be made to or by a woman shall, to such extent as may be prescribed, be disregarded or, as the case may be, be deducted from the amount of her earnings.

(10) The provisions mentioned in subsection (9)(e) above are—

(a) subsection (2)(a) and (b) above; and

(b) [F992 section 162(1) and (2)] F993 . . . below.

[F994 (11) Any regulations under subsection (9) above which are made by virtue of paragraph (b) of that subsection must be made with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.]

Textual Amendments

F987 Words in s. 160(2)(a) repealed (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 3(a), 8(2), 9, Sch. 2; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

F988 S. 160(4) substituted (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 3(b), 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

F989 Words in s. 160(9)(b) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 14(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F990 Words in s. 160(9)(e) substituted (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) for s. 160(9)(e)(i)-(iii) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 3(c), 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

F991 S. 160(9)(ea) inserted (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 24.11.2002 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 3(d), 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. I (with art. 3(1))

F992 Words in s. 160(10)(b) substituted (6.4.2003) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10), s. 9(1), Sch. 1 para. 4; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II

F993 Words in s. 160(10)(b) omitted (with effect in any case where the expected week of confinement begins on or after 16.10.1994) by virtue of S.R. 1994/176, regs. 1(3), 6(1)

F994 S. 160(11) added (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 14(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C81 S. 160(2)(a) modified (17.11.2000) by S.R. 2000/324, reg. 2 (subject to reg. 4 of that S.R.)

161 The maternity pay period. N.I.

(1) Statutory maternity pay shall be payable, subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, in respect of each week during a prescribed period (“the maternity pay period”) of a duration not exceeding [F995 52 weeks].

[F996 (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (7), the maternity pay period shall begin with the 11th week before the expected week of confinement.]

[F996 (3) Cases may be prescribed in which the first day of the period is to be a prescribed day after the beginning of the 11th week before the expected week of confinement, but not later than the day immediately following the day on which she is confined.]

[F997 (3A) Regulations may provide for the duration of the maternity pay period as it applies to a woman to be reduced, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.

(3B) Regulations under subsection (3A) are to secure that the reduced period ends at a time—

(a) after a prescribed period beginning with the day on which the woman is confined; and

(b) when at least a prescribed part of the maternity pay period remains unexpired.

(3C) Regulations under subsection (3A) may, in particular, prescribe restrictions and conditions relating to—

(a) the end of the woman's entitlement to maternity leave;

(b) the doing of work by the woman;

(c) the taking of prescribed steps by the woman or another person as regards leave under Article 107E of the Employment Rights Order in respect of the child;

(d) the taking of prescribed steps by the woman or another person as regards statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.

(3D) Regulations may provide for a reduction in the duration of the maternity pay period as it applies to a woman to be revoked, or to be treated as revoked, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.]

(4) [F998 Except in such cases as may be prescribed,] statutory maternity pay shall not be payable to a woman by a person in respect of any week during any part of which she works under a contract of service with him.

(5) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (4) above whether the work referred to in that subsection is work under a contract of service which existed immediately before the maternity pay period or a contract of service which did not so exist.

(6) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, statutory maternity pay shall not be payable to a woman in respect of any week after she has been confined and during any part of which she works for any employer who is not liable to pay her statutory maternity pay.

(7) Regulations may provide that this section shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications in relation—

(a) to cases in which a woman has been confined before the 11th week before the expected week of confinement; and

(b) to cases in which—

(i) a woman is confined [F999 at any after the end of the week immediately preceding the 11th week], before the expected week of confinement; and

(ii) the maternity pay period has not then commenced for her.

[F1000 (8) In subsections (1), (4) and (6) “week” means a period of 7 days beginning with the day of the week on which the maternity pay period begins.]

Textual Amendments

F995 Words in s. 161(1) substituted (1.9.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), arts. 1(3), 3; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(a)

F996 S. 161(2)(3) substituted (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 6(2); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

F997 S. 161(3A)-(3D) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 6(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(e)

F998 Words in s. 161(4) inserted (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 6(3); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

F999 Words in s. 161(7) substituted (with effect in any case where the expected week of confinement begins on or after 16.10.1994) by S.R. 1994/176, regs. 1(3), 3(3)

F1000 S. 161(8) added (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 6(4); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

[F1001 162 Rate of statutory maternity pay N.I.

(1) Statutory maternity pay shall be payable to a woman—

(a) at the earnings-related rate, in respect of the first 6 weeks in respect of which it is payable; and

(b) at whichever is the lower of the earnings-related rate and such weekly rate as may be prescribed, in respect of the remaining portion of the maternity pay period.

[F1002 (1A) In subsection (1) “week” means any period of 7 days.]

(2) The earnings-related rate is a weekly rate equivalent to 90 per cent. of a woman’s normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of confinement.

(3) The weekly rate prescribed under subsection (1)(b) above must not be less than the weekly rate of statutory sick pay for the time being specified in section 153(1) above or, if two or more such rates are for the time being so specified, the higher or highest of those rates.

[F1003 (4) Where for any purpose of this Part of this Act or of regulations it is necessary to calculate the daily rate of statutory maternity pay, the amount payable by way of statutory maternity pay for any day shall be taken as one seventh of the weekly rate.]]

Textual Amendments

F1001 S. 162 substituted (19.11.2002 for certain purposes and 6.4.2003 otherwise) by Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 10 (N.I.)), ss. 2, 9; S.R. 2002/351, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II; S.R. 2002/358, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3(2))

F1002 S. 162(1A) inserted (1.10.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 7(2); S.R. 2006/344, art. 3(c)

F1003 S. 162(4) added (1.10.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 7(3); S.R. 2006/344, art. 3(c)

[F1004 163 Funding of employers’ liabilities in respect of statutory maternity pay N.I.

(1) Regulations shall make provision for the payment by employers of statutory maternity pay to be funded by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to such extent as may be prescribed.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) shall—

(a) make provision for a person who has made a payment of statutory maternity pay to be entitled, except in prescribed circumstances, to recover an amount equal to the sum of—

(i) the aggregate of such of those payments as qualify for small employers’ relief; and

(ii) an amount equal to 92 per cent of the aggregate of such of those payments as do not so qualify; and

(b) include provision for a person who has made a payment of statutory maternity pay qualifying for small employers’ relief to be entitled, except in prescribed circumstances, to recover an additional amount, determined in such manner as may be prescribed—

(i) by reference to secondary Class 1 contributions paid in respect of statutory maternity pay;

(ii) by reference to secondary Class 1 contributions paid in respect of statutory sick pay; or

(iii) by reference to the aggregate of secondary Class 1 contributions paid in respect of statutory maternity pay and secondary Class 1 contributions paid in respect of statutory sick pay.

(3) For the purposes of this section a payment of statutory maternity pay which a person is liable to make to a woman qualifies for small employers’ relief if, in relation to that woman’s maternity pay period, the person liable to make the payment is a small employer.

(4) For the purposes of this section “small employer”, in relation to a woman’s maternity pay period, shall have the meaning assigned to it by regulations, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any such regulations—

(a) may define that expression by reference to the amount of a person’s contributions payments for any prescribed period; and

(b) if they do so, may in that connection make provision for the amount of those payments for that prescribed period—

(i) to be determined without regard to any deductions that may be made from them under this section or under any other enactment or instrument; and

(ii) in prescribed circumstances, to be adjusted, estimated or otherwise attributed to him by reference to their amount in any other prescribed period.

(5) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for funding in advance as well as in arrear;

(b) for funding, or the recovery of amounts due under provision made by virtue of subsection (2)(b), by means of deductions from such amounts for which employers are accountable to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as may be prescribed, or otherwise;

(c) for the recovery by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue of any sums overpaid to employers under the regulations.

(6) Where in accordance with any provision of regulations under subsection (1) an amount has been deducted from an employer’s contributions payments, the amount so deducted shall (except in such cases as may be prescribed) be treated for the purposes of any provision made by or under any enactment in relation to primary or secondary Class 1 contributions—

(a) as having been paid (on such date as may be determined in accordance with the regulations), and

(b) as having been received by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue,

towards discharging the employer’s liability in respect of such contributions.

(7) Regulations under any provision of this section shall be made by the Secretary of State.

(8) Regulations under this section must be made with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

(9) In this section “contributions payments”, in relation to an employer, means any payments which the employer is required, by or under any enactment, to make in discharge of any liability in respect of primary or secondary Class 1 contributions.]

Textual Amendments

F1004 S. 163 substituted (6.4.2003) by Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), ss. 21(2), 55(2); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(3), Sch. 1 Pt. 3

164 Relationship with benefits and other payments, etc. N.I.

Schedule 13 to this Act has effect with respect to the relationship between statutory maternity pay and certain benefits and payments.

165 Crown employment - Part XII. N.I.

The provisions of this Part of this Act apply in relation to women employed by or under the Crown as they apply in relation to women employed otherwise than by or under the Crown.

166 Special classes of persons. N.I.

(1) The Department may [F1005 with the concurrence of the Treasury] make regulations modifying this Part of this Act in such manner as the Department thinks proper in their application to any person who is, has been or is to be—

(a) employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft;

(b) outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances; or

(c) in prescribed employment in connection with continental shelf operations.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may in particular provide—

(a) for any provision of this Part to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply;

(b) for any such provision not to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would otherwise apply;

(c) for excepting any such person from the application of any such provision where he neither is domiciled nor has a place of residence in any part of Northern Ireland;

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of the determination of any question arising under any such provision, in a country or territory other than Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(3) In this section “continental shelf operations” means any activities which, if paragraphs (a) and (d) of [F1006 subsection (8)] of [F1007 section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998] (application of civil law to certain off-shore activities) were omitted, would nevertheless fall within subsection (2) of that section.

Textual Amendments

F1005 Words in s. 166(1) inserted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 16 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1006 Words in s. 166(3) substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(5); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(2)(b)

F1007 Words in s. 166(3) substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 31 (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)

167 Interpretation of Part XII, etc. N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “confinement” means—

  (a)

  labour resulting in the issue of a living child, or

  (b)

  labour after [F1008 24 weeks] of pregnancy resulting in the issue of a child whether alive or dead,

  and “confined” shall be construed accordingly; and where a woman’s labour begun on one day results in the issue of a child on another day she shall be taken to be confined on the day of the issue of the child or, if labour results in the issue of twins or a greater number of children, she shall be taken to be confined on the day of the issue of the last of them;

• “dismissed” is to be construed in accordance with [F1009 Part XI of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996];

• “employee”means a woman who is—

  (a)

  gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service or in an office (including elective office) with [F1010 earnings (within the meaning of Parts 1 to 5 above)]; F1011 ...

  (b)

  F1011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  but subject to regulations [F1012 made with the concurrence of the Commissioners of [F1013 Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs]] which may provide for cases where any such woman is not to be treated as an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act and for cases where a woman who would not otherwise be an employee for those purposes is to be treated as an employee for those purposes;

• [F1014 “employer”, in relation to a woman who is an employee, means a person who—

  (a)

  under section 6 above is liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in relation to any of her earnings; or

  (b)

  would be liable to pay such contributions but for—

  (i)

  the condition in section 6(1)(b); or

  (ii)

  the employee being under the age of 16;]

• “maternity pay period” has the meaning assigned to it by section 161(1) above;

• “modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments, and related expressions shall be construed accordingly;

• “prescribed” means specified in or determined in accordance with regulations;

• F1015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F1016 (1A) In this Part, except section 161(1), (4) and (6), section 162(1) and paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 13, “week” means a period of 7 days beginning with Sunday or such other period as may be prescribed in relation to any particular case or class of case.]

(2) Without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act, regulations may specify cases in which, for the purposes of this Part of this Act or of such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed—

(a) two or more employers are to be treated as one;

(b) two or more contracts of service in respect of which the same woman is an employee are to be treated as one.

(3) Where, in consequence of the establishment of one or more Health and Social Services trusts under the M32 Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, a woman’s contract of employment is treated by a scheme under that Order as divided so as to constitute two or more contracts, regulations may make provision enabling her to elect for all of those contracts to be treated as one contract for the purposes of this Part of this Act or of such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed; and any such regulations may prescribe—

(a) the conditions that must be satisfied if a woman is to be entitled to make such an election;

(b) the manner in which, and the time within which, such an election is to be made;

(c) the persons to whom, and the manner in which, notice of such an election is to be given;

(d) the information which a woman who makes such an election is to provide, and the persons to whom, and the time within which, she is to provide it;

(e) the time for which such an election is to have effect;

(f) which one of the woman’s employers under the two or more contracts is to be regarded for the purposes of statutory maternity pay as her employer under the one contract;

and the powers conferred by this subsection are without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act.

(4) For the purposes of this Part of this Act a woman’s normal weekly earnings shall, subject to subsection (6) below, be taken to be the average weekly earnings which in the relevant period have been paid to her or paid for her benefit under the contract of service with the employer in question.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) above “earnings” and “relevant period” shall have the meanings given to them by regulations.

(6) In such cases as may be prescribed a woman’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated in accordance with regulations.

[F1017 (7) Regulations under any of subsections (2) to (6) above must be made with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.]

Textual Amendments

F1008 Words in para. (b) in the definition of “confinement”in s. 167(1) substituted (1.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/1310, art. 4(b).

F1009 Words in the definition of “dismissed”in s. 167(1) substituted (24.9.1996) by S.I. 1996/1919 (N.I. 16), arts. 1(2), 255, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2)

F1010 Words in s. 167(1)(a) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 10

F1011 Words in s. 167(1) repealed (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(3)(a), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(4))

F1012 Words in the definition of “employee”in s. 167(1) substituted (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 17(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1013 Words in s. 167(1) substituted (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), s. 53(1), Sch. 4 para. 48; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(2)(h)

F1014 Words in s. 167(1) substituted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(3)(b) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(4))

F1015 Words in s. 167(1) repealed (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 8(2), Sch. 2; S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)(f)(i)

F1016 S. 167(1A) inserted (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 8(3); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

F1017 S. 167(7) added (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 17(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

Marginal Citations

M32 S.I. 1991/194 (N.I. 1).

[F1018 PART XIIZA N.I. [F1019 Statutory Paternity Pay]

Textual Amendments

F1018 Pt. XIIZA (ss. 167ZA-167ZK) inserted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 5; S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F1019 Pt. 12ZA title substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(6); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F1020 S. 167ZA cross-heading repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(7), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

167ZA Entitlement: birth N.I.

(1) Where a person satisfies the conditions in subsection (2) below, he shall be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act to payments to be known as [F1021 “statutory paternity pay”].

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that he satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to relationship with a newborn child, and

(ii) as to relationship with the child’s mother;

(b) that he has been in employed earner’s employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks ending with the relevant week;

(c) that his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the relevant week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) above at the end of the relevant week; and

(d) that he has been in employed earner’s employment with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (b) above is satisfied for a continuous period beginning with the end of the relevant week and ending with the day on which the child is born.

(3) The references in subsection (2) above to the relevant week are to the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of the child’s birth.

(4) A person’s entitlement to [F1022 statutory paternity pay] under this section shall not be affected by the birth, or expected birth, of more than one child as a result of the same pregnancy.

(5) In this section, “newborn child” includes a child stillborn after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy.

Textual Amendments

F1021 Words in s. 167ZA(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(8)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1022 Words in s. 167ZA(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(8)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

167ZB Entitlement: adoption N.I.

(1) Where a person satisfies the conditions in subsection (2) below, he shall be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act to payments to be known as [F1023 “statutory paternity pay”].

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that he satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to relationship with a child who is placed for adoption, under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, and

(ii) as to relationship with a person with whom the child is so placed for adoption;

(b) that he has been in employed earner’s employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks ending with the relevant week;

(c) that his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the relevant week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) above at the end of the relevant week;

(d) that he has been in employed earner’s employment with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (b) above is satisfied for a continuous period beginning with the end of the relevant week and ending with the day on which the child is placed for adoption; and

(e) where he is a person with whom the child is placed for adoption, that he has elected to receive statutory paternity pay.

(3) The references in subsection (2) above to the relevant week are to the week in which the adopter is notified of being matched with the child for the purposes of adoption.

(4) A person may not elect to receive [F1024 statutory paternity pay] if he has elected in accordance with section 167ZL below to receive statutory adoption pay.

(5) Regulations may make provision about elections for the purposes of subsection (2)(e) above.

(6) A person’s entitlement to [F1025 statutory paternity pay] under this section shall not be affected by the placement for adoption of more than one child as part of the same arrangement.

(7) In this section, “adopter”, in relation to a person who satisfies the condition under subsection (2)(a)(ii) above, means the person by reference to whom he satisfies that condition.

Textual Amendments

F1023 Words in s. 167ZB(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(9)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1024 Words in s. 167ZB(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(9)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1025 Words in s. 167ZB(6) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(9)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

[F1026 167ZBA Entitlement: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

(1) Subsection (3) applies in a case involving a child who is looked after by an authority and who is placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be prescribed are satisfied.

(3) Section 167ZB has effect as if the following references or definitions were such references or definitions as may be prescribed—

(a) the references in subsection (2) to a child being placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom,

(b) the reference in subsection (3) to the week in which the adopter is notified of being matched with the child for the purposes of adoption,

(c) the reference in subsection (6) to placement for adoption,

(d) the definition of “adopter” in subsection (7).

(4) Where, by virtue of subsections (1) to (3), a person becomes entitled to statutory paternity pay in connection with the placement of a child as mentioned in those subsections, the person may not become entitled to payments of statutory paternity pay in connection with the placement of the child for adoption.

(5) In this section—

• “approved foster parent” means a person approved as a foster parent by the authority under regulation 3 of the Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,

• “approved prospective adopter” means a person considered by the authority by virtue of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 to be a person suitable to adopt a child,

• “authority” has the same meaning as in the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (see Article 2(2) and (3) of the Order),

• “child who is looked after by an authority” has the same meaning as in that Order (see Articles 2(7)(b) and 25 of the Order).

(6) The Department may by order amend the definition of, or substitute another definition for the definition of, “approved foster parent” or “approved prospective adopter” for the time being contained in subsection (5), in consequence of any modification or replacement of the regulations referred to in the definition.]

Textual Amendments

F1026 S. 167ZBA inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 9(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(g)

167ZC Entitlement: general N.I.

(1) A person shall be entitled to payments of [F1027 statutory paternity pay] in respect of any period [F1028 only if he gives the person who will be liable to pay it notice of the week or weeks in respect of which he expects there to be liability to pay him statutory paternity pay.]

[F1029 (1A) Regulations may provide for the time by which notice under subsection (1) is to be given.]

(2) The notice shall be in writing if the person who is liable to pay the [F1030 statutory paternity pay] so requests.

(3) The Department may by regulations—

(a) provide that subsection (2)(b), (c) or (d) of section 167ZA or 167ZB above shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications in such cases as may be prescribed;

(b) provide that subsection (1) above shall not have effect, or shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications, in such cases as may be prescribed;

(c) impose requirements about evidence of entitlement;

(d) specify in what circumstances employment is to be treated as continuous for the purposes of section 167ZA or 167ZB above;

(e) provide that a person is to be treated for the purposes of section 167ZA or 167ZB above as being employed for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks where—

(i) he has been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks under two or more separate contracts of service; and

(ii) those contracts were not continuous;

(f) provide for amounts earned by a person under separate contracts of service with the same employer to be aggregated for the purposes of section 167ZA or 167ZB above;

(g) provide that—

(i) the amount of a person’s earnings for any period, or

(ii) the amount of his earnings to be treated as comprised in any payment made to him or for his benefit,

shall be calculated or estimated for the purposes of section 167ZA or 167ZB above in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed and that for that purpose payments of a particular class or description made or falling to be made to or by a person shall, to such extent as may be prescribed, be disregarded or, as the case may be, be deducted from the amount of his earnings.

Textual Amendments

F1027 Words in s. 167ZC(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(10)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1028 Words in s. 167ZC(1) substituted (15.3.2015 except in relation to children whose expected week of birth ends on or before 4.4.2015 and children placed for adoption on or before 4.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 12(2)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(j) (with art. 6(1))

F1029 S. 167ZC(1A) inserted (15.3.2015 except in relation to children whose expected week of birth ends on or before 4.4.2015 and children placed for adoption on or before 4.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 12(2)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(j) (with art. 6(1))

F1030 Words in s. 167ZC(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(10)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

167ZD Liability to make payments N.I.

(1) The liability to make payments of [F1031 statutory paternity pay], under section 167ZA or 167ZB above is a liability of any person of whom the person entitled to the payments has been an employee as mentioned in subsection (2)(b ) and (d) of that section.

(2) Regulations shall make provision as to a former employer’s liability to pay [F1032 statutory paternity pay] to a person in any case where the former employee’s contract of service with him has been brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding [F1033 liability for statutory paternity pay].

(3) The Department may, with the concurrence of the Board, by regulations specify circumstances in which, notwithstanding this section, liability to make payments of statutory paternity pay is to be a liability of the Board.

Textual Amendments

F1031 Words in s. 167ZD(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(11)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1032 Words in s. 167ZD(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(11)(b)(i); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1033 Words in s. 167ZD(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(11)(b)(ii); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

167ZE Rate and period of pay N.I.

(1) [F1034 Statutory paternity pay] shall be payable at such fixed or earnings-related weekly rate as may be prescribed by regulations, which may prescribe different kinds of rate for different cases.

(2) [F1035 Statutory paternity pay] shall be payable in respect of—

(a) a period of two consecutive weeks within the qualifying period beginning on such date within that period as the person entitled may choose in accordance with regulations, or

(b) if regulations permit the person entitled to choose to receive [F1035 statutory paternity pay] in respect of—

(i) a period of a week, or

(ii) two non-consecutive periods of a week,

such week or weeks within die qualifying period as he may choose in accordance with regulations.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, the qualifying period shall be determined in accordance with regulations, which shall secure that it is a period of at least 56 days beginning—

(a) in the case of a person to whom the conditions in section 167ZA(2) above apply, with the date of the child’s birth, and

(b) in the case of a person to whom the conditions in section 167ZB(2) above apply, with the date of the child’s placement for adoption.

[F1036 (3A) Statutory paternity pay is not payable to a person in respect of a statutory pay week if—

(a) statutory shared parental pay is payable to that person in respect of any part of that week or that person takes shared parental leave in any part of that week; or

(b) statutory shared parental pay was payable to that person or that person has taken shared parental leave in respect of the child before that week.]

(4) [F1037 Statutory paternity pay] shall not be payable to a person in respect of a statutory pay week if it is not his purpose at the beginning of the week—

(a) to care for the chi1d by reference to whom he satisfies the condition in sub-paragraph (i) of section 167ZA(2)(a) or 167ZB(2)(a) above; or

(b) to support the person by reference to whom he satisfies the condition in sub-paragraph (ii) of that provision.

(5) A person shall not be liable to pay [F1038 statutory paternity pay] to another in respect of a statutory pay week during any part of which the other works under a contract of service with him.

(6) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (5) above whether the work referred to in that subsection is work under a contract of service which existed immediately before the statutory pay week or a contract of service which did not so exist.

(7) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, [F1039 statutory paternity pay] shall not be payable to a person in respect of a statutory pay week during any part of which he works for any employer who is not liable to pay him [F1039 statutory paternity pay].

(8) The Department may by regulations specify circumstances in which there is to be no liability to pay [F1040 statutory paternity pay] in respect of a statutory pay week.

(9) Where more than one child is born as a result of the same pregnancy, the reference in subsection (3)(a) above to the date of the child’s birth shall be read as a reference to the date of birth of the first child born as a result of the pregnancy.

(10) Where more than one child is placed for adoption as part of the same arrangement, the reference in subsection (3)(b) above to the date of the child’s placement shall be read as a reference to the date of placement of the first child to be placed as part of the arrangement.

[F1041 (10A) Where for any purpose of this Part of this Act or of regulations it is necessary to calculate the daily rate of [F1042 statutory paternity pay], the amount payable by way of [F1042 statutory paternity pay] for any day shall be taken as one seventh of the weekly rate.]

(11) In this section—

• “statutory pay week”, in relation to a person entitled to [F1043 statutory paternity pay], means a week chosen by him as a week in respect of which [F1043 statutory paternity pay] shall be payable;

• “week” means any period of seven days.

[F1044 (12) Where statutory paternity pay is payable to a person by virtue of section 167ZBA(1) to (3), this section has effect as if the following references were such references as may be prescribed—

(a) the references in subsections (3)(b) and (10) to placement for adoption,

(b) the references in subsection (10) to being placed for adoption.]

Textual Amendments

F1034 Words in s. 167ZE(1) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1035 Words in s. 167ZE(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1036 S. 167ZE(3A) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 6(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(e)

F1037 Words in s. 167ZE(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1038 Words in s. 167ZE(5) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1039 Words in s. 167ZE(7) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(c); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1040 Words in s. 167ZE(8) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(d); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1041 S. 167ZE(10A) inserted (1.10.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 15(3); S.R. 2006/344, art. 3(c)

F1042 Words in s. 167ZE(10A) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(e); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1043 Words in s. 167ZE(11) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(12)(f); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1044 S. 167ZE(12) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 9(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(g)

F1045 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F1045 S. 167ZEA cross-heading repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(13), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1046 167ZEA Entitlement to additional statutory paternity pay: birth N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1046 Ss. 167ZEA-167ZEE repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 7, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1046 167ZEB Entitlement to additional statutory paternity pay: adoption N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1046 Ss. 167ZEA-167ZEE repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 7, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1046 167ZEC Entitlement to additional statutory paternity pay: general N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1046 Ss. 167ZEA-167ZEE repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 7, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1046 167ZED Liability to make payments of additional statutory paternity pay N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1046 Ss. 167ZEA-167ZEE repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 7, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1046 167ZEE Rate and period of pay: additional statutory paternity pay N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1046 Ss. 167ZEA-167ZEE repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 7, 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1047 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F1047 S. 167ZF cross-heading repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(14), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

167ZF Restrictions on contracting out N.I.

(1) Any agreement shall be void to the extent that it purports—

(a) to exclude, limit or otherwise modify any provision of this Part of this Act, or

(b) to require an employee or former employee to contribute (whether directly or indirectly) towards any costs incurred by his employer or former employer under this Part of this Act.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement between an employer and an employee authorising any deductions from [F1048 statutory paternity pay] which the employer is liable to pay to the employee in respect of any period shall not be void by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above if the employer—

(a) is authorised by that or another agreement to make the same deductions from any contractual remuneration which he is liable to pay in respect of the same period, or

(b) would be so authorised if he were liable to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

Textual Amendments

F1048 Words in s. 167ZF(2) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(15); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

167ZG Relationship with contractual remuneration N.I.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, any entitlement to statutory paternity pay shall not affect any right of a person in relation to remuneration under any contract of service (“contractual remuneration”).

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below—

(a) any contractual remuneration paid to a person by an employer of his in respect of any period shall go towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay statutory paternity pay to him in respect of that period; and

(b) any statutory paternity pay paid by an employer to a person who is an employee of his in respect of any period shall go towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay contractual remuneration to him in respect of that period.

(3) Regulations may make provision as to payments which are, and those which are not, to be treated as contractual remuneration for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above.

F1049 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1049 S. 167ZG(4) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(16), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

167ZH Crown employment—Part XIIZA N.I.

The provisions of this Part of this Act apply in relation to persons employed by or under the Crown as they apply in relation to persons employed otherwise than by or under the Crown.

167ZI Special classes of person N.I.

(1) The Department may with the concurrence of the Treasury make regulations modifying any provision of this Part of this Act in such manner as the Department thinks proper in its application to any person who is, has been or is to be—

(a) employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft;

(b) outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances; or

(c) in prescribed employment in connection with continental shelf operations.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may, in particular, provide—

(a) for any provision of this Part of this Act to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply;

(b) for any such provision not to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would otherwise apply;

(c) for excepting any such person from the application of any such provision where he neither is domiciled nor has a place of residence in Northern Ireland;

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of the determination of any question arising under any such provision, in a country or territory outside Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(3) In this section “continental shelf operations” means any activities which, if paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (8) of section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (application of civil law to certain offshore activities) were omitted would nevertheless fall within subsection (2) of that section.

167ZJ Part XIZA: supplementary N.I.

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “the Board” means the Commissioners of Inland Revenue;

• “the Department” means the Department for Employment and Learning;

• [F1050 “employer”, in relation to a person who is an employee, means a person who—

  (a)

  under section 6 above is liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in relation to any of the earnings of the person who is an employee; or

  (b)

  would be liable to pay such contributions but for—

  (i)

  the condition in section 6(1)(b); or

  (ii)

  the employee being under the age of 16;]

• “modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments, and related expressions are to be read accordingly;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations.

(2) In this Part of this Act, “employee” means a person who is—

(a) gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service or in an office (including elective office) with [F1051 earnings (within the meaning of Parts 1 to 5 above)]; F1052 ...

F1052 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Regulations may provide—

(a) for cases where a person who falls within the definition in subsection (2) above is not to be treated as an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act; and

(b) for cases where a person who would not otherwise be an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act is to be treated as an employee for those purposes.

(4) Without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act, regulations may specify cases in which, for the purposes of this Part of this Act or of such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed—

(a) two or more employers are to be treated as one;

(b) two or more contracts of service in respect of which the same person is an employee are to be treated as one.

(5) In this Part of this Act, except [F1053 section 167ZE], “week” means a period of 7 days beginning with Sunday or such other period as may be prescribed in relation to any particular case or class of cases.

(6) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, a person’s normal weekly earnings shall, subject to subsection (8) below, be taken to be the average weekly earnings which in the relevant period have been paid to him or paid for his benefit under the contract of service with the employer in question.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) above, “earnings” and “relevant period” shall have the meanings given to them by regulations.

(8) In such cases as may be prescribed, a person’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated in accordance with regulations.

(9) Where in consequence of the establishment of one or more Health and Social Services trusts under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, a person’s contract of employment is treated by a scheme under that Order as divided so as to constitute two or more contracts, regulations may make provision enabling the person to elect for all of those contracts to be treated as one contract for the purposes of this Part of this Act or such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed.

(10) Regulations under subsection (9) above may prescribe—

(a) the conditions that must be satisfied if a person is to be entitled to make such an election;

(b) the manner in which, and the time within which, such an election is to be made;

(c) the persons to whom, and the manner in which, notice of such an election is to be given;

(d) the information which a person who makes such an election is to provide, and the persons to whom, and the time within which, he is to provide it;

(e) the time for which such an election is to have effect;

(f) which one of the person’s employers under two or more contracts is to be regarded for the purposes of [F1054 statutory paternity pay] as his employer under the contract.

(11) The powers under subsections (9) and (10) above are without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act.

(12) In this Part of this Act “regulations” means regulations made by the Department and in relation to any such regulations sections 171 and 172 below have effect as if references to the Department were references to the Department for Employment and Learning.

(13) Regulations under any of subsections (4) to (10) above must be made with the concurrence of the Board.

Textual Amendments

F1050 Words in s. 167ZJ(1) substituted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(5)(a) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(6))

F1051 Words in s. 167ZJ(2)(a) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 11

F1052 S. 167ZJ(2)(b) and preceding word repealed (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(5)(b), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(6))

F1053 Words in s. 167ZJ(5) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(17)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1054 Words in s. 167ZJ(10)(f) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(17)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

167ZK Power to apply Part XlIZA to [F1055 other cases] N.I.

[F1056 (1)] The Department may by regulations provide for this Part of this Act to have effect in relation to cases which involve adoption, but not the placement of a child for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, with such modifications as the regulations may prescribe.

[F1057 (2) The Department may by regulations provide for this Part to have effect in relation to cases which involve a person who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order, with such modifications as may be prescribed.]]

Textual Amendments

F1055 Words in s. 167ZK heading substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(2)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

F1056 S. 167ZK(1) formed from s. 167ZK (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(2)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

F1057 S. 167ZK(2) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(2)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

[F1058 PART XIIZB N.I. STATUTORY ADOPTION PAY

Textual Amendments

F1058 Pt. XIIZB (ss. 167ZL-167ZT) inserted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 6; S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

167ZL Entitlement N.I.

(1) Where a person who is, or has been, an employee satisfies the conditions in subsection (2), he shall be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part of this Act to payments to be known as “statutory adoption pay”.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that he is a person with whom a child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom;

(b) that he has been in employed earner’s employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks ending with the relevant week;

(c) that he has ceased to work for the employer;

(d) that his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the relevant week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) above at the end of the relevant week; and

(e) that he has elected to receive statutory adoption pay.

(3) The references in subsection (2)(b) and (d) above to the relevant week are to the week in which the person is notified that he has been matched with the child for the purposes of adoption.

(4) A person may not elect to receive statutory adoption pay if—

(a) he has elected in accordance with section 167ZB above to receive statutory paternity pay; or

(b) where the child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption with him as a member of a [F1059 couple and the other member of the couple] is a person to whom the conditions in subsection (2) above apply, [F1060 that other member of the couple] has elected to receive statutory adoption pay.

[F1061 (4A) In subsection (4)(b) “couple” has the same meaning as in the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (see Article 2(6) to (8) of that Order).]

(5) A person’s entitlement to statutory adoption pay shall not be affected by the placement, or expected placement, for adoption of more than one child as part of the same arrangement.

(6) A person shall be entitled to payments of statutory adoption pay only if—

(a) he gives the person who will be liable to pay it notice of the date from which he expects the liability to pay him statutory adoption pay to begin; and

(b) the notice is given at least 28 days before that date or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(7) The notice shall be in writing if the person who is liable to pay the statutory adoption pay so requests.

(8) The Department may by regulations—

(a) provide that subsection (2)(b), (c) or (d) above shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications in such cases as may be prescribed;

(b) provide that subsection (6) above shall not have effect, or shall have effect subject to prescribed modifications, in such cases as may be prescribed;

(c) impose requirements about evidence of entitlement;

(d) specify in what circumstances employment is to be treated as continuous for the purposes of this section;

(e) provide that a person is to be treated for the purposes of this section as being employed for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks where—

(i) he has been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks under two or more separate contracts of service; and

(ii) those contracts were not continuous;

(f) provide for amounts earned by a person under separate contracts of service with the same employer to be aggregated for the purposes of this section;

(g) provide that—

(i) the amount of a person’s earnings for any period, or

(ii) the amount of his earnings to be treated as comprised in any payment made to him or for his benefit,

shall be calculated or estimated for the purposes of this section in, such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed and that for that purpose payments of a particular class or description made or falling to be made to or by a person shall, to such extent as may be prescribed, be disregarded or, as the case may be, be deducted from the amount of his earnings;

(h) make provision about elections for statutory adoption pay.

Textual Amendments

F1059 Words in s. 167ZL(4)(b) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(16)(a)(i) (with regs. 6-9)

F1060 Words in s. 167ZL(4)(b) substituted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(16)(a)(ii) (with regs. 6-9)

F1061 S. 167ZL(4A) inserted (13.1.2020) by The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1514), regs. 1(2), 66(16)(b) (with regs. 6-9)

[F1062 167ZLA Entitlement: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

(1) Subsection (3) applies in a case involving a child who is looked after by an authority and who is, or is expected to be, placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be prescribed are satisfied.

(3) Section 167ZL has effect as if the following references or definitions were such references or definitions as may be prescribed—

(a) the reference in subsection (2)(a) to a child being placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom,

(b) the reference in subsection (3) to the week in which the person is notified that he has been matched with the child for the purposes of adoption,

(c) the reference in subsection (5) to placement, or expected placement, for adoption.

(4) Where, by virtue of subsections (1) to (3), a person becomes entitled to statutory adoption pay in respect of a child who is, or is expected to be placed as mentioned in subsection (1), the person may not become entitled to payments of statutory adoption pay as a result of the child being, or being expected to be, placed for adoption.

(5) In this section, “approved foster parent”, “approved prospective adopter”, “authority” and “child who is looked after by an authority” have the same meaning as in section 167ZBA.]

Textual Amendments

F1062 S. 167ZLA inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 9(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(g)

167ZM Liability to make payments N.I.

(1) The liability to make payments of statutory adoption pay is a liability of any person of whom the person entitled to the payments has been an employee as mentioned in section 167ZL(2)(b) above.

(2) Regulations shall make provision as to a former employer’s liability to pay statutory adoption pay to a person in any case where the former employee’s contract of service with him has been brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory adoption pay.

(3) The Department may, with the concurrence of the Board, by regulations specify circumstances in which, notwithstanding this section, liability to make payments of statutory adoption pay is to be a liability of the Board.

167ZN Rate and period of pay N.I.

F1063 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Statutory adoption pay shall be payable, subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, in respect of each week during a prescribed period (“the adoption pay period”) of a duration not exceeding [F1064 52 weeks].

[F1065 (2A) Regulations may provide for the duration of the adoption pay period as it applies to a person (“A”) to be reduced, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.

(2B) Regulations under subsection (2A) are to secure that the reduced period ends at a time—

(a) after a prescribed part of the adoption pay period has expired; and

(b) when at least a prescribed part of the adoption pay period remains unexpired.

(2C) Regulations under subsection (2A) may, in particular, prescribe restrictions and conditions relating to—

(a) the end of A's entitlement to adoption leave;

(b) the doing of work by A;

(c) the taking of prescribed steps by A or another person as regards leave under Article 107G of the Employment Rights Order in respect of the child;

(d) the taking of prescribed steps by A or another person as regards statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child.

(2D) Regulations may provide for a reduction in the duration of the adoption pay period as it applies to a person to be revoked, or to be treated as revoked, subject to prescribed restrictions and conditions.]

[F1066 (2E) Statutory adoption pay shall be payable to a person—

(a) at the earnings-related rate, in respect of the first 6 weeks in respect of which it is payable; and

(b) at whichever is the lower of the earnings-related rate and such weekly rate as may be prescribed, in respect of the remaining portion of the adoption pay period.

(2F) The earnings-related rate is a weekly rate equivalent to 90 per cent of a person's normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the week in which the person is notified that the person has been matched with a child for the purposes of adoption.

(2G) The weekly rate prescribed under subsection (2E)(b) shall not be less than the weekly rate of statutory sick pay for the time being specified in section 153(1) or, if two or more such rates are for the time being so specified, the higher or highest of those rates.]

(3) [F1067 Except in such cases as may be prescribed,] a person shall not be liable to pay statutory adoption pay to another in respect of any week during any part of which the other works under a contract of service with him.

(4) It is immaterial for the purposes of subsection (3) above whether the work referred to in that subsection is work under a contract of service which existed immediately before the adoption pay period or a contract of service which did not so exist.

(5) Except in such cases as may be prescribed statutory adoption pay shall not be payable to a person in respect of any week during any part of which he works for any employer who is not liable to pay him statutory adoption pay.

(6) The Department may by regulations specify circumstances in which there is to be no liability to pay statutory adoption pay in respect of a week.

[F1068 (6A) Where for any purpose of this Part of this Act or of regulations it is necessary to calculate the daily rate of statutory adoption pay, the amount payable by way of statutory adoption pay for any day shall be taken as one seventh of the weekly rate.]

(7) In [F1069 subsections (2) and (2E)] above, “week” means any period of seven days.

(8) In subsections (3), (5) and (6) above, “week” means a period of seven days beginning with the day of the week on which the adoption pay period begins.

[F1070 (9) Where statutory adoption pay is payable to a person by virtue of section 167ZLA(1) to (3), this section has effect as if the reference in subsection (2F) to the week in which the person is notified that he has been matched with a child for the purposes of adoption were such reference as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F1063 S. 167ZN(1) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 13(2)(a), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(c)(3) (with art. 7(1)(2))

F1064 Words in s. 167ZN(2) substituted (1.9.2006) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), arts. 1(3), 4; S.R. 2006/344, art. 2(a)

F1065 S. 167ZN(2A)-(2D) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 6(6), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(e)

F1066 S. 167ZN(2E)-(2G) inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 13(2)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(c) (with art. 7(1))

F1067 Words in s. 167ZN(3) inserted (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 20(2); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

F1068 S. 167ZN(6A) inserted (1.9.2006 for specified purposes, 1.10.2006 in so far as not already in force) by The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1947), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 20(3); S.R. 2006/344, arts. 2(d), 3(b)

F1069 Words in s. 167ZN(7) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 13(2)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(c) (with art. 7(1))

F1070 S. 167ZN(9) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 9(5), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(g)

167ZO Restrictions on contracting out N.I.

(1) Any agreement shall be void to the extent that it purports—

(a) to exclude, limit or otherwise modify any provision of this Part of this Act; or

(b) to require an employee or former employee to contribute (whether directly or indirectly) towards any costs incurred by his employer or former employer under this Part of this Act.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, any agreement between an employer and an employee authorising any deductions from statutory adoption pay which the employer is liable to pay to the employee in respect of any period shall not be void by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above if the employer—

(a) is authorised by that or another agreement to make the same deductions from any contractual remuneration which he is liable to pay in respect of the same period; or

(b) would be so authorised if he were liable to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

167ZP Relationship with benefits and other payments, etc. N.I.

(1) Except as may be prescribed, a day which falls within the adoption pay period shall not be treated as a day of incapacity for work for the purposes of determining, for this Act, whether it forms part of a period of incapacity for work for the purposes of incapacity benefit.

(2) Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances a day which falls within the adoption pay period shall be treated as a day of incapacity for work for the purposes of determining entitlement to the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit or to long-term incapacity benefit.

(3) Regulations may provide that an amount equal to a person’s statutory adoption pay for a period shall be deducted from any such benefit in respect of the same period and a person shall be entitled to such benefit only if there is a balance after the deduction and, if there is such a balance, at a weekly rate equal to it.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6) below, any entitlement to statutory adoption pay shall not affect any right of a person in relation to remuneration under any contract of service (“contractual remuneration”).

(5) Subject to subsection (6) below—

(a) any contractual remuneration paid to a person by an employer of his in respect of a week in the adoption pay period shall go) towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay statutory adoption pay to him in respect of that week; and

(b) any statutory adoption pay paid by an employer to a person who is an employee of his in respect of a week in the adoption pay period shall go towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay contractual remuneration to him in respect of that week.

(6) Regulations may make provision as to payments which are, and those which are not, to be treated as contractual remuneration for the purposes of subsections (4) and (5) above.

(7) In subsection (5) above, “week” means a period of seven days beginning with the day of the week on which the adoption pay period begins.

167ZQ Crown employment—Part XIIZB N.I.

The provisions of this Part of this Act apply in relation to persons employed by or under the Crown as they apply in relation to persons employed otherwise than by or under the Crown.

167ZR Special classes of person N.I.

(1) The Department may with the concurrence of the Treasury make regulations modifying any provision of this Part of this Act in such manner as the Department thinks proper in its application to any person who is, has been or is to be—

(a) employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft;

(b) outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances; or

(c) in prescribed employment in connection with continental shelf operations.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may, in particular, provide—

(a) for any provision of this Part of this Act to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply;

(b) for any such provision not to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would otherwise apply;

(c) for excepting any such person from the application of any such provision where he neither is domiciled nor has a place of residence in Northern Ireland;

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of the determination of any question arising under any such provision, in a country or territory outside Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(3) In this section “continental shelf operations” means any activities which, if paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (8) of section 11 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (application of civil law to certain offshore activities) were omitted would nevertheless fall within subsection (2) of that section.

167ZS Part XIIZB: supplementary N.I.

(1) In this part of this Act—

• “adoption pay period” has the meaning given by section 167ZN(2) above;

• “the Board” means the Commissioners of Inland Revenue

• “the Department” means the Department for Employment and Learning;

• [F1071 “employer”, in relation to a person who is an employee, means a person who—

  (a)

  under section 6 above is liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in relation to any of the earnings of the person who is an employee; or

  (b)

  would be liable to pay such contributions but for—

  (i)

  the condition in section 6(1)(b); or

  (ii)

  the employee being under the age of 16;]

• “modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments, and related expressions are to be read accordingly;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations.

(2) In this Part of this Act, “employee” means a person who is—

(a) gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service, or in an office (including elective office) with [F1072 earnings (within the meaning of Parts 1 to 5 above)]; F1073 ...

F1073 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Regulations may provide—

(a) for cases where a person who falls within the definition in subsection (2) above is not to be treated as an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act; and

(b) for cases where a person who would not otherwise be an employee for the purposes of this Part of this Act is to be treated as an employee for those purposes.

(4) Without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act, regulations may specify cases in which, for the purposes of this Part of this Act or of such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed—

(a) two or more employers are to be treated as one;

(b) two or more contracts of service in respect of which the same person is an employee are to be treated as one.

(5) In this Part of this Act, except sections 167ZN and 167ZP, “week” means a period of 7 days beginning with Sunday or such other period as may be prescribed in relation to any particular case or class of cases.

(6) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, a person’s nominal weekly earnings shall, subject to subsection (8) below, be taken to be the average weekly earnings which in the relevant period have been paid to him or paid for his benefit under the contract of service with the employer in question.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) above, “earnings” and “relevant period” shall have the meanings given to them by regulations.

(8) In such cases as may be prescribed, a person’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated in accordance with regulations.

(9) Where in consequence of the establishment of one or more Health and Social Services trusts under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, a person’s contract of employment is treated by a scheme under that Order as divided so as to constitute two or more contracts, regulations may make provision enabling the person to elect for all of those contracts to be treated as one contract for the purposes of this Part of this Act or such provisions of this Part of this Act as may be prescribed.

(10) Regulations under subsection (9) above may prescribe—

(a) the conditions that must be satisfied if a person is to be entitled to make such an election;

(b) the manner in which, and the time within which, such an election is to be made;

(c) the persons to whom, and the manner in which, notice of such an election is to be given;

(d) the information which a person who makes such an election is to provide, and the persons to whom, and the time within which, he is to provide it;

(e) the time for which such an election is to have effect;

(f) which one of the person’s employers under two or more contracts is to be regarded for the purposes of statutory adoption pay as his employer under the contract.

(11) The powers under subsections (9) and (10) above are without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part of this Act.

(12) In this Part of this Act, except section 167ZP(1) to (3), “regulations” means regulations made by the Department; and in relation to any such regulations sections 171 and 172 below have effect as if references to the Department were references to the Department for Employment and Learning.

(13) Regulations under any of subsections (4) to (10) above must be made with the concurrence of the Board.

Textual Amendments

F1071 Words in s. 167ZS(1) substituted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(7)(a) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(8))

F1072 Words in s. 167ZS(2)(a) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 15(4), Sch. 2 para. 12

F1073 S. 167ZS(2)(b) and preceding word repealed (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/261), reg. 1(1), Sch. 7 para. 1(7)(b), Sch. 8(1) (with reg. 50, Sch. 7 para. 1(8))

167ZT Power to apply Part XIIZB to [F1074 other cases] N.I.

[F1075 (1)] The Department may by regulations provide for this Part of this Act to have effect in relation to cases which involve adoption, but not the placement of a child for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, with such modifications as the regulations may prescribe.

[F1076 (2) The Department may by regulations provide for this Part to have effect, with such modifications as may be prescribed, in relation to—

(a) cases which involve a person who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order,

(b) cases which involve a person who has applied, or intends to apply, for a parental order under section 54A of that Act and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order.]

[F1077 (3) Regulations under subsection (2) may modify section 167ZL(8)(c) so as to enable regulations made by virtue of section 167ZL(8) to impose requirements to make statutory declarations as to—

(a) eligibility to apply for a parental order [F1078 under section 54 or 54A of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008],

(b) intention to apply for such an order.]]

Textual Amendments

F1074 Words in s. 167ZT heading substituted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(3)(a), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

F1075 S. 167ZT(1) formed from s. 167ZT (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(3)(b), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

F1076 S. 167ZT(2) substituted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(1)

F1077 S. 167ZT(2)(3) added (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 11(3)(c), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(i)

F1078 Words in s. 167ZT(3)(a) inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)

[F1079 PART 12ZC U.K. STATUTORY SHARED PARENTAL PAY

Textual Amendments

F1079 Pt. 12ZC inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 5(2), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(d)

167ZU Entitlement: birth N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide that, where all the conditions in subsection (2) are satisfied in relation to a person who is the mother of a child (“the claimant mother”), the claimant mother is to be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part to payments to be known as “statutory shared parental pay”.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that the claimant mother and another person (“P”) satisfy prescribed conditions as to caring or intending to care for the child,

(b) that P satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to employment or self-employment,

(ii) as to having earnings of a prescribed amount for a prescribed period, and

(iii) as to relationship either with the child or with the claimant mother,

(c) that the claimant mother has been in employed earner's employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least the prescribed length ending with a prescribed week,

(d) that the claimant mother's normal weekly earnings for a prescribed period ending with a prescribed week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) at the end of that week,

(e) if regulations so provide, that the claimant mother continues in employed earner's employment (whether or not with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (c) is satisfied) until a prescribed time,

(f) that the claimant mother became entitled to statutory maternity pay by reference to the birth of the child,

(g) that the claimant mother satisfies prescribed conditions as to the reduction of the duration of the maternity pay period,

(h) that the claimant mother has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to her notice of—

(i) the number of weeks in respect of which she would be entitled to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of P to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child),

(ii) the number of weeks in respect of which she intends to claim statutory shared parental pay, and

(iii) the number of weeks in respect of which P intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(i) that the claimant mother has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to her notice of the period or periods during which she intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(j) that a notice under paragraph (h) or (i)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(k) that P consents to the extent of the claimant mother's intended claim for statutory shared parental pay,

(l) that it is the claimant mother's intention to care for the child during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to her,

(m) that the claimant mother is absent from work during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to her,

(n) that, where she is an employee within the meaning of the Employment Rights Order, the claimant mother's absence from work during each such week is absence on shared parental leave.

(3) Regulations may provide that, where all the conditions in subsection (4) are satisfied in relation to a person (“the claimant”), the claimant is to be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part to payments to be known as “statutory shared parental pay”.

(4) The conditions are—

(a) that the claimant and another person (“M”) who is the mother of a child satisfy prescribed conditions as to caring or intending to care for the child,

(b) that the claimant satisfies—

(i) prescribed conditions as to relationship with the child, or

(ii) prescribed conditions as to relationship with M,

(c) that M satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to employment or self-employment, and

(ii) as to having earnings of a prescribed amount for a prescribed period,

(d) that the claimant has been in employed earner's employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least the prescribed length ending with a prescribed week,

(e) that the claimant's normal weekly earnings for a prescribed period ending with a prescribed week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) at the end of that week,

(f) if regulations so provide, that the claimant continues in employed earner's employment (whether or not with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (d) is satisfied) until a prescribed time,

(g) that M became entitled, by reference to the birth of the child, to—

(i) a maternity allowance, or

(ii) statutory maternity pay,

(h) that M satisfies prescribed conditions as to—

(i) the reduction of the duration of the maternity allowance period, or

(ii) the reduction of the duration of the maternity pay period, as the case may be,

(i) that the claimant has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to the claimant notice of—

(i) the number of weeks in respect of which the claimant would be entitled to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of M to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child),

(ii) the number of weeks in respect of which the claimant intends to claim statutory shared parental pay, and

(iii) the number of weeks in respect of which M intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(j) that the claimant has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to the claimant notice of the period or periods during which the claimant intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(k) that a notice under paragraph (i) or (j)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(l) that M consents to the extent of the claimant's intended claim for statutory shared parental pay,

(m) that it is the claimant's intention to care for the child during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to the claimant,

(n) that the claimant is absent from work during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to the claimant,

(o) that, where the claimant is an employee within the meaning of the Employment Rights Order, the claimant's absence from work during each such week is absence on shared parental leave.

167ZV Extent of entitlement and when payable: birth U.K.

(1) Regulations may provide for—

(a) the determination of the extent of a person's entitlement, by virtue of section 167ZU, to statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child,

(b) when statutory shared parental pay by virtue of that section is to be payable.

(2) Provision under subsection (1)(a) is to secure that the number of weeks in respect of which a person is entitled to payments of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child does not exceed the number of weeks of the maternity pay period reduced by—

(a) where the mother of the child takes action that is treated by regulations as constituting for the purposes of section 167ZU and this section her return to work without satisfying conditions prescribed under subsection [F1080 (2)(g) or, as the case may be, (4)(h)] of section 167ZU—

(i) the number of relevant weeks in respect of which maternity allowance or statutory maternity pay is payable to the mother, or

(ii) if that number of relevant weeks is less than a number prescribed by regulations, that prescribed number of weeks, or

(b) except where paragraph (a) applies, the number of weeks to which the maternity allowance period is reduced by virtue of section 35(3A) or, as the case may be, the maternity pay period is reduced by virtue of section 161(3A).

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a relevant week is—

(a) where maternity allowance is payable to a mother, a week or part of a week falling before the time at which the mother takes action that is treated by regulations as constituting for the purposes of this section her return to work,

(b) where statutory maternity pay is payable to a mother, a week falling before the week in which the mother takes action that is so treated.

(4) For the purposes of subsections (2)(a) and (3), “week” has—

(a) the same meaning as in section 121(1), in relation to maternity allowance, or

(b) the same meaning as in section 161(8), in relation to statutory maternity pay.

(5) In determining the number of weeks for the purposes of subsection (2)(b)—

(a) “week” has the same meaning as in subsection (4), and

(b) a part of a week is to be treated as a week.

(6) Provision under subsection (1)(a) is to secure that, where two persons are entitled to payments of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child, the extent of one's entitlement and the extent of the other's entitlement do not, taken together, exceed what would be available to one person (see subsection (2)).

(7) Provision under subsection (1)(b) is to secure that no payment of statutory shared parental pay may be made to a person in respect of a child after the end of such period as may be prescribed.

(8) Provision under subsection (1)(b) is to secure that no payment of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child may be made to a person who is the mother of the child before the end of the mother's maternity pay period.

(9) Regulations may provide that, where the conditions in subsection (10) are satisfied in relation to a person who is entitled to statutory sharedparental pay under section 167ZU(1) or (3) (“V”), V may vary the period or periods during which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child in question, subject to complying with provision under subsection (11) where that is relevant.

(10) The conditions are—

(a) that V has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to V notice of an intention to vary the period or periods during which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(b) that a notice under paragraph (a)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content.

(11) Regulations may provide that, where the conditions in subsection (12) are satisfied in relation to a person who is entitled to statutory shared parental pay under section 167ZU(1) or (3) (“V”), V may vary the number of weeks in respect of which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay.

(12) The conditions are—

(a) that V has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to V notice of—

(i) the extent to which V has exercised an entitlement to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(ii) the extent to which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(iii) the extent to which another person has exercised an entitlement to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child, and

(iv) the extent to which another person intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(b) that a notice under paragraph (a)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(c) that the person who is P or, as the case may be, M in relation to V consents to that variation.

(13) A person's entitlement to statutory shared parental pay under section 167ZU and this section is not affected by the birth of more than one child as a result of the same pregnancy.

Textual Amendments

F1080 Words in s. 167ZV(2)(a) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(2)(a), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

167ZW Entitlement: adoption N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide that, where all the conditions in subsection (2) are satisfied in relation to a person with whom a child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom (“claimant A”), claimant A is to be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part to payments to be known as “statutory shared parental pay”.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that claimant A and another person (“X”) satisfy prescribed conditions as to caring or intending to care for the child,

(b) that X satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to employment or self-employment,

(ii) as to having earnings of a prescribed amount for a prescribed period, and

(iii) as to relationship either with the child or with claimant A,

(c) that claimant A has been in employed earner's employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least the prescribed length ending with a prescribed week,

(d) that claimant A's normal weekly earnings for a prescribed period ending with a prescribed week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) at the end of that week,

(e) if regulations so provide, that claimant A continues in employed earner's employment (whether or not with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (c) is satisfied) until a prescribed time,

(f) that claimant A became entitled to statutory adoption pay by reference to the placement for adoption of the child,

(g) that claimant A satisfies prescribed conditions as to the reduction of the duration of the adoption pay period,

(h) that claimant A has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to claimant A notice of—

(i) the number of weeks in respect of which claimant A would be entitled to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of X to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child),

(ii) the number of weeks in respect of which claimant A intends to claim statutory shared parental pay, and

(iii) the number of weeks in respect of which X intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(i) that claimant A has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to claimant A notice of the period or periods during which claimant A intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(j) that a notice under paragraph (h) or (i)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(k) that X consents to the extent of claimant A's intended claim for statutory shared parental pay,

(l) that it is claimant A's intention to care for the child during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to claimant A,

(m) that claimant A is absent from work during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to claimant A,

(n) that, where claimant A is an employee within the meaning of the Employment Rights Order, claimant A's absence from work during each such week is absence on shared parental leave.

(3) Regulations may provide that, where all the conditions in subsection (4) are satisfied in relation to a person (“claimant B”), claimant B is to be entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Part to payments to be known as “statutory shared parental pay”.

(4) The conditions are—

(a) that claimant B and another person (“Y”) who is a person with whom a child is, or is expected to be, placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom satisfy prescribed conditions as to caring or intending to care for the child,

(b) that claimant B satisfies—

(i) prescribed conditions as to relationship with the child, or

(ii) prescribed conditions as to relationship with Y,

(c) that Y satisfies prescribed conditions—

(i) as to employment or self-employment, and

(ii) as to having earnings of a prescribed amount for a prescribed period,

(d) that claimant B has been in employed earner's employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least the prescribed length ending with a prescribed week,

(e) that claimant B's normal weekly earnings for a prescribed period ending with a prescribed week are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) at the end of that week,

(f) if regulations so provide, that claimant B continues in employed earner's employment (whether or not with the employer by reference to whom the condition in paragraph (d) is satisfied) until a prescribed time,

(g) that Y became entitled to statutory adoption pay by reference to the placement for adoption of the child,

(h) that Y satisfies prescribed conditions as to the reduction of the duration of the adoption pay period,

(i) that claimant B has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to claimant B notice of—

(i) the number of weeks in respect of which claimant B would be entitled to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child if the entitlement were fully exercised (disregarding for these purposes any intention of Y to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child),

(ii) the number of weeks in respect of which claimant B intends to claim statutory shared parental pay, and

(iii) the number of weeks in respect of which Y intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(j) that claimant B has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to claimant B notice of the period or periods during which claimant B intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(k) that a notice under paragraph (i) or (j)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(l) that Y consents to the extent of claimant B's intended claim for statutory shared parental pay,

(m) that it is claimant B's intention to care for the child during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to claimant B,

(n) that claimant B is absent from work during each week in respect of which statutory shared parental pay is paid to claimant B,

(o) that, where claimant B is an employee within the meaning of the Employment Rights Order, claimant B's absence from work during each such week is absence on shared parental leave.

167ZX Extent of entitlement and when payable: adoption U.K.

(1) Regulations may provide for—

(a) the determination of the extent of a person's entitlement, by virtue of section 167ZW, to statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child,

(b) when statutory shared parental pay by virtue of that section is to be payable.

(2) Provision under subsection (1)(a) is to secure that the number of weeks in respect of which a person is entitled to payments of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child does not exceed the number of weeks of the adoption pay period reduced by—

(a) where the person who became entitled to receive statutory adoption pay takes action that is treated by regulations as constituting for the purposes of section 167ZW and this section the person's return to work without satisfying conditions prescribed under subsection [F1081 (2)(g) or, as the case may be, (4)(h)] of section 167ZW—

(i) the number of relevant weeks in respect of which statutory adoption pay is payable to the person, or

(ii) if that number of relevant weeks is less than a number prescribed by regulations, that prescribed number of weeks, or

(b) except where paragraph (a) applies, the number of weeks to which the adoption pay period has been reduced by virtue of section 167ZN(2A).

(3) In subsection (2)(a) “relevant week” means a week falling before the week in which a person takes action that is treated by regulations as constituting for the purposes of this section the person's return to work, and for these purposes “week” has the meaning as in section 167ZN(8).

(4) In determining the number of weeks for the purposes of subsection (2)(b)—

(a) “week” has the same meaning as in subsection (3), and

(b) a part of a week is to be treated as a week.

(5) Provision under subsection (1)(a) is to secure that, where two persons are entitled to payments of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child, the extent of one's entitlement and the extent of the other's entitlement do not, taken together, exceed what would be available to one person (see subsection (2)).

(6) Provision under subsection (1)(b) is to secure that no payment of statutory shared parental pay may be made to a person in respect of a child after the end of such period as may be prescribed.

(7) Provision under subsection (1)(b) is to secure that no payment of statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child may be made to a person who became entitled to receive statutory adoption pay in respect of the child before the end of the person's adoption pay period.

(8) Regulations may provide that, where the conditions in subsection (9) are satisfied in relation to a person who is entitled to statutory shared parental pay under section 167ZW(1) or (3) (“V”), V may vary the period or periods during which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child in question, subject to complying with provision under subsection (10) where that is relevant.

(9) The conditions are—

(a) that V has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to V notice of an intention to vary the period or periods during which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay,

(b) that a notice under paragraph (a)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content.

(10) Regulations may provide that, where the conditions in subsection (11) are satisfied in relation to a person who is entitled to statutory shared parental pay under section 167ZW(1) or (3) (“V”), V may vary the number of weeks in respect of which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay.

(11) The conditions are—

(a) that V has given the person who will be liable to pay statutory shared parental pay to V notice of—

(i) the extent to which V has exercised an entitlement to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(ii) the extent to which V intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(iii) the extent to which another person has exercised an entitlement to statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child, and

(iv) the extent to which another person intends to claim statutory shared parental pay in respect of the child,

(b) that a notice under paragraph (a)—

(i) is given by such time as may be prescribed, and

(ii) satisfies prescribed conditions as to form and content,

(c) that the person who is X or, as the case may be, Y in relation to V consents to that variation.

(12) A person's entitlement to statutory shared parental pay under this section is not affected by the placement for adoption of more than one child as part of the same arrangement.

Textual Amendments

F1081 Words in s. 167ZX(2)(a) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(2)(b), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

167ZY Entitlement etc.: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

(1) Regulations are to provide for statutory shared parental pay in respect of a child who is looked after by an authority and who is, or is expected to be, placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be prescribed are satisfied.

(3) Sections 167ZW and 167ZX have effect, in relation to provision made by virtue of subsection (1) as if references to a child being placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom and to placement for adoption were such references as may be prescribed.

(4) In this section, “approved foster parent”, “approved prospective adopter”, “authority” and “child who is looked after by an authority” have the same meaning as in section 167ZBA.”.

167ZZ Entitlement: general U.K.

(1) Regulations may—

(a) provide that the following do not have effect, or have effect subject to prescribed modifications, in such cases as may be prescribed—

(i) section 167ZU(2)(a) to [F1082 (n)],

(ii) section 167ZU(4)(a) to [F1083 (o)],

(iii) section 167ZV(10)(a) and (b),

(iv) section 167ZV(12)(a) to (c),

(v) section 167ZW(2)(a) to [F1084 (n)],

(vi) section 167ZW(4)(a) to [F1085 (o)],

(vii) section 167ZX(9)(a) and (b), and

(viii) section 167ZX(11)(a) to (c),

(b) impose requirements about evidence of entitlement and procedures to be followed,

(c) specify in what circumstances employment is to be treated as continuous for the purposes of section 167ZU or 167ZW,

(d) provide that a person is to be treated for the purposes of those sections as being employed for a continuous period of at least the prescribed period where—

(i) the person has been employed by the same employer for at least the prescribed period under two or more separate contracts of service, and

(ii) those contracts were not continuous,

(e) provide for amounts earned by a person under separate contracts of service with the same employer to be aggregated for the purposes of section 167ZU or 167ZW,

(f) provide that—

(i) the amount of a person's earnings for any period, or

(ii) the amount of the person's earnings to be treated as comprised in any payment made to the person or for the person's benefit,

are to be calculated or estimated for the purposes of section 167ZU or 167ZW in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed and that for that purpose payments of a particular class or description made or falling to be made to or by a person are, to such extent as may be prescribed, to be disregarded or, as the case may be, to be deducted from the amount of the person's earnings.

(2) The persons upon whom requirements may be imposed by virtue of subsection (1)(b) include—

(a) a person who, in connection with another person's claim to be paid statutory shared parental pay, is required to satisfy conditions prescribed under section 167ZU(2)(b) or (4)(c) or 167ZW(2)(b) or (4)(c),

(b) an employer or former employer of such a person.

(3) In subsection (1)(d) “the prescribed period” means the period of the length prescribed by regulations under section 167ZU(2)(c) or (4)(d) or 167ZW(2)(c) or (4)(d), as the case may be.

Textual Amendments

F1082 Word in s. 167ZZ(1)(a)(i) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(3)(a), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

F1083 Word in s. 167ZZ(1)(a)(ii) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(3)(b), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

F1084 Word in s. 167ZZ(1)(a)(v) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(3)(c), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

F1085 Word in s. 167ZZ(1)(a)(vi) substituted (27.1.2020) by Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 15), ss. 25(3)(d), 29(2); S.R. 2020/1, art. 2(j)

167ZZ1 Liability to make payments N.I.

(1) The liability to make payments of statutory shared parental pay by virtue of sections 167ZU and 167ZV or, as the case may be, 167ZW and 167ZX is a liability of any person of whom the person entitled to the payments has been an employee as mentioned in section 167ZU(2)(c) or (4)(d) or, as the case may be, 167ZW(2)(c) or (4)(d).

(2) Regulations must make provision as to a former employer's liability to pay statutory shared parental pay to a person in any case where the former employee's contract of service with the person has been brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory shared parental pay.

(3) The Department may, with the concurrence of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, by regulations specify circumstances in which, notwithstanding this section, liability to make payments of statutory shared parental pay is to be a liability of the Commissioners.

167ZZ2 Rate and period of pay N.I.

(1) Statutory shared parental pay is payable at such fixed or earnings related weekly rate as may be prescribed by regulations, which may prescribe different kinds of rate for different cases.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, statutory shared parental pay is payable to a person in respect of each week falling within a relevant period, up to the number of weeks determined in the case of that person in accordance with regulations under section 167ZV(1) or 167ZX(1).

(3) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, statutory shared parental pay is not payable to a person in respect of a week falling within a relevant period if it is not the person's intention at the beginning of the week to care for the child by reference to whom the person satisfies—

(a) the condition in section 167ZU(2)(a) or (4)(a), or

(b) the condition in section 167ZW(2)(a) or (4)(a).

(4) Except in such cases as may be prescribed, statutory shared parental pay is not payable to a person in respect of a week falling within a relevant period during any part of which week the person works for any employer.

(5) The Department may by regulations specify circumstances in which there is to be no liability to pay statutory shared parental pay in respect of a week falling within a relevant period.

(6) Where for any purpose of this Part or of regulations it is necessary to calculate the daily rate of statutory shared parental pay, the amountpayable by way of statutory shared parental pay for any day shall be taken as one seventh of the weekly rate.

(7) For the purposes of this section a week falls within a relevant period if it falls within a period specified in a notice under—

(a) section 167ZU(2)(j) or (4)(k) or 167ZV(10)(a), or

(b) section 167ZW(2)(j) or (4)(k) or 167ZX(9)(a),

and is not afterwards excluded from such a period by a variation of the period or periods during which the person in question intends to claim statutory shared parental pay.

(8) In this section “week”, in relation to a relevant period, means a period of seven days beginning with the day of the week on which the relevant period starts.

167ZZ3 Restrictions on contracting out N.I.

(1) An agreement is void to the extent that it purports—

(a) to exclude, limit or otherwise modify any provision of this Part, or

(b) to require a person to contribute (whether directly or indirectly) towards any costs incurred by that person's employer or former employer under this Part.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, an agreement between an employer and an employee, authorising deductions from statutory shared parental pay which the employer is liable to pay to the employee in respect of any period, is not void by virtue of subsection (1)(a) if the employer—

(a) is authorised by that or another agreement to make the same deductions from any contractual remuneration which the employer is liable to pay in respect of the same period, or

(b) would be so authorised if the employer were liable to pay contractual remuneration in respect of that period.

167ZZ4 Relationship with contractual remuneration N.I.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), any entitlement to statutory shared parental pay is not to affect any right of a person in relation to remuneration under any contract of service (“contractual remuneration”).

(2) Subject to subsection (3)—

(a) any contractual remuneration paid to a person by an employer of that person in respect of any period is to go towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay statutory shared parental pay to that person in respect of that period, and

(b) any statutory shared parental pay paid by an employer to a person who is an employee of that employer in respect of any period is to go towards discharging any liability of that employer to pay contractual remuneration to that person in respect of that period.

(3) Regulations may make provision as to payments which are, and those which are not, to be treated as contractual remuneration for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2).

167ZZ5 Crown employment: Part 12ZC N.I.

The provisions of this Part apply in relation to persons employed by or under the Crown as they apply in relation to persons employed otherwise than by or under the Crown.

167ZZ6 Special classes of person N.I.

(1) The Department may with the concurrence of the Treasury make regulations modifying any provision of this Part in such manner as the Department thinks proper in its application to any person who is, has been or is to be—

(a) employed on board any ship, vessel, hovercraft or aircraft,

(b) outside Northern Ireland at any prescribed time or in any prescribed circumstances, or

(c) in prescribed employment in connection with continental shelf operations.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, provide—

(a) for any provision of this Part to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would not otherwise apply,

(b) for any such provision not to apply to any such person, notwithstanding that it would otherwise apply,

(c) for excepting any such person from the application of any such provision where the person neither is domiciled nor has a place of residence in any part of Northern Ireland,

(d) for the taking of evidence, for the purposes of the determination of any question arising under any such provision, in a country or territory outside Northern Ireland, by a British consular official or such other person as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(3) In this section, “continental shelf operations” has the same meaning as in sections 166(3), 167ZI(3) and 167ZR(3).

167ZZ7 Part 12ZC: supplementary N.I.

(1) In this Part—

• “adoption pay period” has the same meaning as in section 167ZN(2),

• “employer”, in relation to a person who is an employee, means a person who—

  (a)

  under section 6 is liable to pay secondary Class 1 contributions in relation to any of the earnings of the person who is an employee, or

  (b)

  would be liable to pay such contributions but for—

  (i)

  the condition in section 6(1)(b), or

  (ii)

  the employee being under the age of 16,

• “maternity allowance period” has the meaning given in section 35(2),

• “maternity pay period” has the meaning given in section 161(1),

• “modifications” includes additions, omissions and amendments, and related expressions are to be read accordingly,

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations.

(2) In this Part, “employee” means a person who is gainfully employed in Northern Ireland either under a contract of service or in an office(including elective office) with general earnings (as defined by section 7 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003).

(3) Regulations may provide—

(a) for cases where a person who falls within the definition in subsection (2) is not to be treated as an employee for the purposes of this Part, and

(b) for cases where a person who would not otherwise be an employee for the purposes of this Part is to be treated as an employee for those purposes.

(4) Without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part, regulations may specify cases in which, for the purposes of this Part or of such provisions of this Part as may be prescribed—

(a) two or more employers are to be treated as one,

(b) two or more contracts of service in respect of which the same person is an employee are to be treated as one.

(5) In this Part, except where otherwise provided, “week” means a period of seven days beginning with Sunday or such other period as may be prescribed in relation to any particular case or class of cases.

(6) For the purposes of this Part, a person's normal weekly earnings are, subject to subsection (8), to be taken to be the average weekly earnings which in the relevant period have been paid to the person or paid for the person's benefit under the contract of service with the employer in question.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) “earnings” and “relevant period” have the meanings given to them by regulations.

(8) In such cases as may be prescribed, a person's normal weekly earnings are to be calculated in accordance with regulations.

(9) Where in consequence of the establishment of one or more Health and Social Care trusts under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, a person's contract of employment is treated by a scheme under that Order as divided so as to constitute two or more contracts, regulations may make provision enabling the person to elect for all of those contracts to be treated as one contract for the purposes of this Part or such provisions of this Part as may be prescribed.

(10) Regulations under subsection (9) may prescribe—

(a) the conditions that must be satisfied if a person is to be entitled to make such an election,

(b) the manner in which, and the time within which, such an election is to be made,

(c) the persons to whom, and the manner in which, notice of such an election is to be given,

(d) the information which a person who makes such an election is to provide, and the persons to whom, and the time within which, the person is to provide it,

(e) the time for which such an election is to have effect,

(f) which one of the person's employers under two or more contracts is to be regarded for the purposes of statutory shared parental pay as the person's employer under the contract.

(11) The powers under subsections (9) and (10) are without prejudice to any other power to make regulations under this Part.

(12) In this Part, “regulations” means regulations made by the Department for Employment and Learning, and in relation to any such regulations sections 171 and 172 have effect as if references there to “the Department” were references to the Department for Employment and Learning.

(13) Regulations under any of subsections (4) to (10) must be made with the concurrence of the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

167ZZ8 Power to apply Part 12ZC to other cases N.I.

(1) The Department may by regulations provide for this Part to have effect in relation to cases which involve adoption, but not the placement of a child for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, with such modifications as the regulations may prescribe.

(2) The Department may by regulations provide for this Part to have effect in relation to cases which involve a person who has applied, or intends to apply, with another person for a parental order under section 54 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and a child who is, or will be, the subject of the order, with such modifications as the regulations may prescribe.

(3) Where section 167ZZ(1)(b) has effect in relation to such cases as are described in subsection (2), regulations under section 167ZZ(1)(b) may impose requirements to make statutory declarations as to—

(a) eligibility to apply for a parental order,

(b) intention to apply for such an order.]

[F1086 PART XIIA N.I. INCAPACITY FOR WORK]

Textual Amendments

F1086 Pt. XIIA (ss. 167A-167C) inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 7, 8; S.R. 1994/450 (N.I. 12), art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C82 Pt. XIIA (ss. 167A-167C) applied (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, regs. 29, 30

C83 Pt. XIIA (ss. 167A-167C) applied (with modifications) (5.2.1996 for the purpose of authorising the making of regulations and 7.10.1996 otherwise) by S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15), art. 23, Sch. 1 para. 2; S.R. 1996/26, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.R. 1996/401, art. 2

167A [F1087 Test of incapacity for work.] N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Act, save as otherwise expressly provided, whether a person is capable or incapable of work shall be determined in accordance with this Part of this Act.

(2) Regulations may make provision as to—

(a) the information or evidence required for the purpose of determining whether a person is capable or incapable of work; and

(b) the manner in which that information or evidence is to be provided;

and may provide that if a person without good cause fails to provide that information or evidence, or to do so in the manner required, he shall be treated as capable of work.

[F1088 (2A) In subsection (2)(a) above the reference to such information or evidence as is there mentioned includes information or evidence capable of being used for assisting or encouraging the person in question to obtain work or enhance his prospects of obtaining it.]

(3) Regulations may provide that in any case where [F1089 it falls to be determined] whether a person is capable of work—

(a) he may be called to attend for such medical examination as may be required in accordance with regulations; and

(b) if he fails without good cause to attend for or submit himself to such examination, he shall be treated as capable of work.

(4) Regulations may prescribe for the purposes of this section—

(a) matters which are or are not to be taken into account in determining whether a person does or does not have good cause for any act or omission; or

(b) circumstances in which a person is or is not to be regarded as having or not having good cause for any act or omission.

[F1090 (5) All information supplied in pursuance of this section shall be taken for all purposes to be information relating to social security.]

Textual Amendments

F1087 Pt. XIIA (ss. 167A-167C) inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 7, 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(b), Sch. Pt. II

F1088 S. 167A(2A) inserted (1.12.1999 for specified purposes and 16.12.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(c), 67, Sch. 8 para. 22(2); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(2)(b)

F1089 Words in s. 167A(3) substituted (1.12.1999 for specified purposes and 3.4.2000 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(c), 67, Sch. 8 para. 22(3); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(2)(a)

F1090 S. 167A(5) added (1.12.1999 for specified purposes and 16.12.1999 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(c), 67, Sch. 8 para. 22(4); S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(2)(b)

[F1091 167B The own occupation test. N.I.

(1) Where a person has been engaged in remunerative work for more than 8 weeks in the 21 weeks immediately preceding the day with respect to which it falls to be determined whether he is or was incapable of work, [F1092 the own occupation test is applicable in his case.].

(2) The own occupation test is whether he is incapable by reason of some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement of doing work which he could reasonably be expected to do in the course of the occupation in which he was so engaged.

(3) Where for any purpose of this Act it is determined in relation to a person—

(a) that the test applicable with respect to any day is the own occupation test; and

(b) that he is on that test incapable of work,

that test remains applicable in his case until the end of the spell of incapacity beginning with that day or, as the case may be, in which that day falls, or until the 197th day of incapacity for work in that spell, whichever is the earlier.

For this purpose a “spell of incapacity” means a series of 4 or more consecutive days of incapacity for work; and any two such spells not separated by a period of more than 8 weeks shall be treated as one spell of incapacity.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) above a day of incapacity for work means a day—

(a) with respect to which it has been determined for any purpose of this Act that the person in question was incapable of work; or

(b) in respect of which he was entitled to statutory sick pay; or

(c) in the case of a woman, which falls within the maternity allowance period; or

(d) which in accordance with regulations is to be treated for those purposes as a day of incapacity for work.

(5) Any provision of this Act apart from subsection (4) above under or by virtue of which a day is or is not to be treated for any purpose as a day of incapacity for work shall be disregarded for the purposes of this section.

(6) Provision may be made by regulations defining for the purposes of this section what is meant by “remunerative work”.

The regulations may, in particular, provide—

(a)

for “remunerative work” to be defined by reference to the number of hours worked per week; and

(b)

for training of any prescribed description to be treated as if it were remunerative work.

(7) Provision may be made by regulations as to the application of this section in cases where a person engages in more than one occupation or in different kinds of work.

(8) Regulations may provide that subsection (3) above shall have effect as if—

(a) the reference there to 4 consecutive days were to such lesser number of days, whether consecutive or not, within such period of consecutive days as may be prescribed; and

(b) for the reference to 8 weeks there were substituted a reference to such larger number of weeks as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F1091 Pt. XIIA (ss. 167A-167C) inserted (21.11.1994) for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 7, 8; S.R. 1994/450,art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

F1092 Words in s. 167B(1) substituted (3.4.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 23; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(2)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C84 S. 167B(3) modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/41, reg. 13(4) (with reg. 3)

C85 S. 167B(3)(4) modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1995/35, reg. 32

[F1093 167C Personal capability assessments. N.I.

(1) Where the own occupation test is not applicable, or has ceased to apply, in the case of a person, the question whether the person is capable or incapable of work shall be determined in accordance with a personal capability assessment.

(2) Provision shall be made by regulations—

(a) defining a personal capability assessment by reference to the extent to which a person who has some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement is capable or incapable of performing such activities as may be prescribed;

(b) as to the manner of assessing whether a person is, in accordance with a personal capability assessment, incapable of work.

(3) Regulations may provide that, in any prescribed circumstances, a person to whom subsection (1) above applies shall, if the prescribed conditions are met, be treated as incapable of work in accordance with a personal capability assessment until such time as—

(a) such an assessment has been carried out in his case, or

(b) he falls to be treated as capable of work in accordance with regulations under section 167A(2) or (3) above or section 167E below.

The prescribed conditions may include the condition that it has not previously been determined, within such period as may be prescribed, that the person in question is or is to be treated as capable of work.

(4) Except in prescribed circumstances, a personal capability assessment carried out in the case of a person before the time when subsection (1) above applies to him shall be as effective for the purposes of that subsection as one carried out thereafter.

(5) The Department may, in the case of a person who for any purpose of this Act has been determined to be incapable of work in accordance with a personal capability assessment (including one carried out by virtue of this subsection), require the question whether the person is capable or incapable of work to be determined afresh in accordance with a further personal capability assessment.]

Textual Amendments

F1093 S. 167C substituted (1.12.1999 for specified purposes and 3.4.2000 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(5)(b), 58; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(2)(a)

F1094 167D Incapacity for work: persons to be treated as incapable or capable of work. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide that a person shall be treated as capable of work, or as incapable of work, in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed.

(2) Regulations may, in particular, provide that a person shall be treated as capable of work if he does work of a prescribed description, or more than the prescribed amount of work of a prescribed description.

Accordingly regulations may provide that a person shall not be treated as capable of work by reason only of his doing such work as may be prescribed, or no more than the prescribed amount of work of a prescribed description.

Textual Amendments

F1094 Ss. 167D-167G inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), ss. 6, 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C86 S. 167D modified (1.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(3), 73(7)

[F1095 167E Incapacity for work: disqualification, etc. N.I.

(1) Regulations may provide for disqualifying a person for receiving any benefit, allowance or other advantage under any provision for the purposes of which this Part of this Act applies, or, in such cases as may be prescribed, provide that a

person shall be treated as capable of work, if—

(a) he has become incapable of work through his own misconduct;

(b) he fails without good cause to attend for or submit himself to such medical or other treatment as may be required in accordance with the regulations; or

(c) he fails without good cause to observe any prescribed rules of behaviour.

(2) Regulations shall provide that any such disqualification shall be, or as the case may be that the person shall be treated as capable of work, for such period not exceeding 6 weeks as may be determined in accordance with [F1096 Chapter II of Part II of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998]].

(3) Regulations may prescribe for the purposes of this section—

(a) matters which are or are not to be taken into account in determining whether a person does or does not have good cause for any act or omission; or

(b) circumstances in which a person is or is not to be regarded as having or not having good cause for any act or omission.

Textual Amendments

F1095 Ss. 167D-167G inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 6, 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

F1096 Words in s. 167E(2) substituted (6.9.1999 for specified purposes, otherwiseprosp.) by S.I. 1998/1506 (N.I. 10), arts. 1(2), 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 57; S.R. 1999/371, art. 2(b), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4, 18)

[F1097 167F Incapacity for work: work as councillor to be disregarded. N.I.

(1) In determining whether a person is capable or incapable of work, there shall be disregarded any work which that person has undertaken as a councillor.

(2) For this purpose “councillor” means a member of a district council.

(3) The reference in subsection (1) above to the work which a person undertakes as a councillor shall be taken to include any work which he undertakes as a member of any body established under any statutory provision of which he is a member by virtue of his being a councillor.

(4) In making any such determination as is mentioned in subsection (1) above a person shall be treated as having been incapable of work on any day which falls in the pre-commencement period and which—

(a) would have been treated as a day on which he was so incapable, were there disregarded any work which he undertook (or was capable of undertaking) as a councillor; but

(b) would not have been so treated apart from this subsection.

The “pre-commencement period” means the period beginning with 11th May 1987 and ending immediately before 9th October 1989 (the coming into operation of paragraph 2 of Schedule 8 to the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, which made provision corresponding to the provision made by this section).]

Textual Amendments

F1097 Ss. 167D-167G inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 6, 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

[F1098 167G Incapacity for work: supplementary provisions. N.I.

(1) The provisions of this Part of this Act do not apply—

(a) for the purposes of Part V of this Act (benefit for industrial injuries: see section 94(6) above);

(b) for the purposes of Part XI of this Act (statutory sick pay: see section 147(4) above); or

(c) for such other purposes as may be prescribed.

(2) In this Part of this Act—

• “prescribed” means specified in or determined in accordance with regulations; and

• “week” means any period of 7 days.]

Textual Amendments

F1098 Ss. 167D-167G inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose only of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 6, 8; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

Part XIII U.K. General

Interpretation N.I.

168 Application of Act in relation to territorial waters. N.I.

In this Act—

(a) any reference to Northern Ireland includes a reference to the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland;

(b) any reference to the United Kingdom includes a reference to the territorial waters of the United Kingdom.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C87 S. 168 applied (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 17(3)(a), 21(2); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(o); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

169 Age. N.I.

For the purposes of this Act a person—

(a) is over or under a particular age if he has or, as the case may be, has not attained that age; and

(b) is between two particular ages if he has attained the first but not the second.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C88 S. 169 applied (2.12.2002 for certain purposes, 6.10.2003 in so far as not already in force) by State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14 (N.I.)), ss. 17(3)(b), 21(2); S.R. 2002/366, art. 2(1)(o); S.R. 2003/373, art. 2

170 Interpretation. N.I.

In this Act—

• “the 1975 Act” means the M33 Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975;

• “the 1986 Order” means the M34 Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;

• “the Administration Act” means the M35 Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “the Consequential Provisions Act” means the M36 Social Security (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;

• “the Department” means [F1099 (except in Parts XIIZA [F1100 , 12ZB and 12ZC] above)] the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland;

• “the Department of Economic Development” means the Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland;

• “the Department of the Environment” means the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland;

• “the Department of Finance and Personnel” means the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland;

• [F1101 the Employment Rights Order” means the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996;]

• “the Great Britain Administration Act” means the M37 Social Security Administration Act 1992;

• “the Great Britain Contributions and Benefits Act” means the M38 Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;

• “the National Insurance Fund” means the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund;

• “the Old Cases Act” means the M39 Industrial Injuries and Diseases (Northern Ireland Old Cases) Act 1975;

• [F1102 “the Pensions Act” means the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993;]

• “the Pensions Order” means the M40 Social Security Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1975;

• “statutory provision” has the meaning assigned by section 1(f) of the M41 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.

Textual Amendments

F1099 Words in s. 170 in definition of "the Department" inserted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 17(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(2); S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F1100 Words in s. 170 substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(18)(a); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1101 Words in s. 170 inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(18)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1102 S. 170: by 1993 c. 49, s. 184, Sch. 7 para. 35 (commenced on 7.2.1994 by S.R. 1994/17, art. 2) it is provided that the definition of "the Pensions Act" [as reproduced here] shall be inserted before the definition of "the Pensions Order" in s. 174 of this Act. By S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), arts. 165, 168, Sch. 4, para. 15, Sch. 5, Pt.IV (commenced on 19.12.1995 by S.R. 1995/477, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I), Sch. 7 para. 35 of the 1993 Act is repealed and by art. 165, Sch. 4, para. 2 of that 1995 S.I. (also commenced on 19.12.1995 by S.R. 1995/477, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I) the same definition of "the Pensions Act" is inserted in s. 170 of this Act

Marginal Citations

M33 1975 c.15.

M34 S.I. 1986/1888 (N.I. 18).

M35 1992 c. 8.

M36 1992 c. 9.

M37 1992 c. 5.

M38 1992 c. 4.

M39 1975 c. 17.

M40 S.I. 1975/1503 (N.I. 15).

M41 1954 c. 33 (N.I.).

Subordinate legislation N.I.

171 Regulations and orders - general. N.I.

(1) Subject to [F1103 any provision providing for regulations or orders to be made by the Treasury or the Commissioners of Inland Revenue and to] any specific provision of this Act, regulations and orders under this Act shall be made by the Department.

(2) [F1104 Any power conferred by this Act on the Department to make regulations or orders] is exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the M42 Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.

(3) Except in the case of an order under section 141(3) above and in so far as this Act otherwise provides, any power conferred by this Act to make regulations or an order may be exercised—

(a) either in relation to all cases to which the power extends, or in relation to those cases subject to specified exceptions, or in relation to any specified cases or classes of case;

(b) so as to make, as respects the cases in relation to which it is exercised—

(i) the full provision to which the power extends or any less provision (whether by way of exception or otherwise),

(ii) the same provision for all cases in relation to which the power is exercised, or different provision for different cases or different classes of case or different provision as respects the same case or class of case for different purposes of this Act,

(iii) any such provision either unconditionally or subject to any specified condition;

and where such a power is expressed to be exercisable for alternative purposes it may be exercised in relation to the same case for any or all of those purposes; and powers to make regulations or an order for the purposes of any one provision of this Act are without prejudice to powers to make regulations or an order for the purposes of any other provision.

(4) Without prejudice to any specific provision of this Act, any power conferred by this Act to make regulations or an order (other than the power conferred by section 141(3)) includes power to make thereby such incidental, supplementary, consequential or transitional provision as appears to the authority making the regulations or order to be expedient for the purposes of the regulations or order.

(5) Without prejudice to any specific provision of this Act, a power conferred by any provision of this Act except—

(a) sections [F1105 25B(2)(a),] 30, 47(6) F1106 . . . and 141(3) and paragraph 3(9) of Schedule 7; and

(b) section 121(1) in relation to the definition of “payments by way of occupational or personal pension”; and

(c) Part XI,

to make regulations or an order includes power to provide for a person to exercise a discretion in dealing with any matter.

[F1107 (5A) But regulations under—

(a) section 147(4) in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or

(b) section 155B,

may provide for a person to exercise a discretion in dealing with any matter under those regulations.]

(6) Any power conferred by this Act to make regulations relating to housing benefit shall include power to make different provision for different areas.

[F1108 (6A) Regulations under Part VII of this Act relating to housing benefit administered by the Department of the Environment under section 126(3)(b) of the Administration Act shall not be made without the consent of that Department.]

(7) Any power of the Department under any provision of this Act, except the provisions mentioned in subsection (5)(a) and (b) above and Part IX, to make any regulations or order, where the power is not expressed to be exercisable with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel shall if that Department so directs be exercisable only in conjunction with it.

(8) Any power under any of sections 116 to 119 above to modify provisions of this Act or the Administration Act extends also to modifying so much of any other provision of this Act or that Act as re-enacts provisions of the 1975 Act which replaced provisions of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Measures (Northern Ireland) 1966 to 1974.

(9) A power to make regulations under any of sections 116 to 119 above shall be exercisable in relation to any enactment passed or made after this Act which is directed to be construed as one with this Act, but this subsection applies only so far as a contrary intention is not expressed in the enactment, and is without prejudice to the generality of any such direction.

[F1109 (10) Any power of the Secretary of State, the Treasury or the Commissioners of Inland Revenue under this Act to make regulations or orders is exercisable by statutory instrument, and subsections (3) to (5) above apply to those regulations or orders as they apply to regulations or orders made by the Department.]

(11) Any power of the Secretary of State [F1110 to make an order under section 155A(1) above or regulations under section 116, 155A(4), 157 or 163 above] shall if the Treasury so direct be exercisable only in conjunction with them.

(12) Any reference in this section or section 172 below to an order or regulations under this Act includes a reference to an order or regulations made under any provision of an enactment passed or made after this Act which is directed to be construed as one with this Act; but this subsection applies only so far as a contrary intention is not expressed in the enactment, and is without prejudice to the generality of any such direction.

Textual Amendments

F1103 Words in s. 171(1) inserted (26.2.2003 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 4 para. 5; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

F1104 Words in s. 171(2) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 28(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1105 Words in s. 171(5) inserted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 36; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F1106 Words in s. 171(5) repealed (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 36, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F1107 S. 171(5A) inserted (temp.) (25.3.2020) by virtue of Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 44(b), 87(1) (with ss. 88-90 and S.I. 2022/151, art. 2)

F1108 S. 171(6A) inserted (retrospectively) by S.I. 1993/1579 (N.I. 8), art. 3(3)(4)

F1109 S. 171(10) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 28(3) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1110 Words in s. 171(11) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 28(4) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C89 S. 171(1) modified (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(4), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 22(a)

C90 S. 171(2) applied (1.1.2000 for specified purposes and 3.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 33, s. 115(8); S.I. 1999/3190, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch. 1

C91 S. 171(2) modified (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(4), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 29

C92 S. 171(3)(4) applied (23.3.1994) by S.I. 1994/766 (N.I. 5), arts. 1(2), 4(2) (with art. 4(6))

S. 171(3)(4) applied (21.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), arts. 6(11), 14(3); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(a), Sch. Pt. I

C93 S. 171(3)-(5) applied (1.1.2006) by Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 11 (N.I.)), ss. 6(5), 9

C94 S. 171(3)(5)(6) applied (18.11.2004) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 254(5), 263(8)(f)

C95 S. 171(3)-(5) applied (30.6.2005 for specified purposes, 1.9.2005 in so far as not already in force) by Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 11), ss. 6(5), 9(3); S.R. 2005/319, art. 2

C96 S. 171(3)-(5)(10) applied (temp.) (25.3.2020) by Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7), ss. 43(3), 87(1) (with ss. 88-90 and S.I. 2022/362, reg. 3) (which affecting provision expires (25.9.2022) by virtue of 2020 c. 7, s. 89)

C97 S. 171(6A): transfer of functions (1.12.1999) by S.R. 1999/481, art. 6(b), Sch. 4 Pt. II

Marginal Citations

M42 S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12).

172 Assembly, etc. control of regulations and orders. N.I.

(1) The regulations and orders to which this subsection applies shall be laid before the Assembly after being made and shall take effect on such date as may be specified in the regulations or order, but shall (without prejudice to the validity of anything done thereunder or to the making of new regulations or a new order) cease to have effect upon the expiration of a period of six months from that date unless at some time before the expiration of that period the regulations have, or the order has, been approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

(2) Subsection (1) above applies to—

(a) regulations made by the Department under section F1111 ... [F1112 19(6)], 28(3), [F1113 30DD(5)(b) or (c),] F1114 ... 104(3), F1111 ... F1115 ... above [F1116 or section 167ZE(1) F1117 ... F1118 ... [F1119 or any of sections 167ZU to 167ZZ2] above];

[F1120 (aa) the first regulations made by virtue of section 23A(3)(c) above;]

(b) regulations prescribing payments for the purposes of the definition of “payments by way of occupational or personal pension” in section 121(1) above;

(c) an order made by the Department under section [F1121 25B(1),] 28(2), [F1122 35A(7),] F1123 ... , F1124 ... 144(3)(b) [F1125 or 153(2)] F1126 ... [F1127 or [F1128 155A(1)]] above.

(3) Subsection (1) above does not apply to—

F1129 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) regulations under any provision mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above F1130 ... which are to be made for the purpose of consolidating regulations thereby revoked;

(c) regulations which, in so far as they are made under any provision mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above F1131 ... , only replace provisions of previous regulations with new provisions to the same effect.

(4) Subject to [F1132 subsections (4A) [F1133 , (7) and (7A)]] below, all regulations and orders made by the Department under this Act, other than regulations or orders to which subsection (1) above applies, shall be subject to negative resolution.

[F1134 (4A) Subsection (4) above does not apply to a statutory rule which contains an order appointing the first or second appointed year [F1135 or designating the flat rate introduction year] (within the meaning of section 121(1) above).]

(5) Section 41(3) of the M43 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (laying statutory instruments or statutory documents before the Assembly) shall apply in relation to any instrument or document which by virtue of any provision of this Act is required to be laid before the Assembly as if it were a statutory instrument or statutory document within the meaning of that Act.

(6) This subsection applies to any regulations or order made under this Act which—

(a) but for subsection (7) below, would be subject to negative resolution, and

(b) are or is contained in a statutory rule which includes any regulations or order subject to the confirmatory procedure.

(7) Any regulations or order to which subsection (6) above applies shall not be subject to negative resolution, but shall be subject to the confirmatory procedure.

[F1136 (7A) An order under section 167ZBA(6) shall not be made unless a draft has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.]

F1137 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) [F1138 Subject to subsections [F1139 (11) to] (11B) below,] regulations made under this Act by the Secretary of State [F1140 , the Treasury or the Commissioners of Inland Revenue] shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(10) This subsection applies to any regulations made under this Act which—

(a) but for subsection (11) below, would be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, and

(b) are, or is, contained in an instrument which is subject to any requirement that a draft of the instrument be laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(11) Any regulations to which subsection [F1141 (10)] above applies shall not be subject as mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection, but shall be subject to the procedure described in paragraph (b) of that subsection.

[F1142 (11ZA) A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations under section 5 specifying the lower earnings limit for—

(a) the tax year following the designated tax year (see section 5(4) of the Pensions Act 2007), or

(b) any subsequent tax year,

shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.]

[F1143 (11ZB) A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations under section 5 specifying the upper earnings limit shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.]

[F1144 (11A) A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of section [F1145 4B(2), 4C,] [F1146 9A(7),] [F1147 section 9B(4), (8) or (10),] [F1148 10ZC,] [F1149 11(8) or (9)] [F1150 , 14A], 18, [F1151 18A,] 19(4) and (5), 117 [F1152 , 118 or 141] or an order under section 155A shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(11B) Subsection (11A) above does not apply to a statutory instrument by reason only that it contains [F1153 —

(a)] regulations under section 117 which the instrument states are made for the purpose of making provision consequential on provision under section 129 [F1154 or 142(7)] of the Administration Act[F1155 ,

(b) regulations under powers conferred by any provision mentioned in that subsection which are to be made for the purpose of consolidating regulations to be revoked in the instrument, or

(c) regulations which, in so far as they are made under powers conferred by any provision mentioned in that subsection, only replace provisions of previous regulations with new provisions to the same effect].]

[F1156 (11C) In the case of a statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provisions) regulations made by virtue of section 4B(2) to which subsection (11A) above applies, the draft of the instrument must be laid before Parliament before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the appropriate date.

(11D) For the purposes of subsection (11C), the “appropriate date” means—

(a) where the corresponding retrospective tax provision was passed or made before the day on which the National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 was passed, the date upon which that Act was passed, and

(b) in any other case, the date upon which the corresponding retrospective tax provision was passed or made.

(11E) For the purposes of subsection (11D), “the corresponding retrospective tax provision” in relation to the regulations means—

(a) the retrospective tax provision mentioned in subsection (1) of section 4B in relation to which the regulations are to be made by virtue of subsection (2) of that section, or

(b) where there is more than one such tax provision, whichever of those provisions was the first to be passed or made.]

(12) In this section—

• “the Assembly” means the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• “the confirmatory procedure” means the procedure described in subsection (1) above;

• “subject to negative resolution” has the meaning assigned by section 41(6) of the M44 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (but as if the regulations or orders in question were statutory instruments within the meaning of that Act).

Textual Amendments

F1111 Words in s. 172(2)(a) repealed (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 4, 24(3), Sch. 3 para. 29(2)(b), Sch. 9 Pt. I (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1112 Words in s. 172(2)(a) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 29(2)(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1113 Words in s. 172(2)(a) inserted (3.11.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 24; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(6)

F1114 Words in s. 172(2)(a) repealed (13.4.1995) by The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12)), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F1115 Words in s. 172(2)(a) repealed (1.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

F1116 Words in s. 172(2)(a) inserted (8.12.2002) by The Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2836 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 17(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(3); S.R. 2002/356, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II

F1117 Words in s. 172(2)(a) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(19)(a), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b)(3) (with art. 7(2))

F1118 Words in s. 172(2)(a) repealed (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 13(3), 23(1), Sch. 2; S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(1)(c)(3) (with art. 7(1)(2))

F1119 Words in s. 172(2)(a) inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 5(3), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(d)

F1120 S. 172(2)(aa) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 10

F1121 Words in s. 172(2)(c) inserted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37(b); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F1122 Words in s. 172(2)(c) inserted (12.1.2000 and 2.4.2000 for specified purposes and otherwise prosp.) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 Pt. VI para. 30; S.R. 1999/494, art. 2(1)(b)

F1123 Word in s. 172(2)(c) repealed (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), s. 118(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 6 (with s. 73)

F1124 Words in s. 172(2)(c) repealed (13.4.1995) by The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12)), art. 13(1)(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 37, Sch. 2; S.R. 1994/450, art. 2(d), Sch. Pt. IV

F1125 Words in s. 172(2)(c) substituted (11.11.1999) by 1999 c. 30, ss. 81, 89(4)(d), Sch. 11 para. 11

F1126 Words in s. 172(2)(c) omitted (6.4.1995) by virtue of The Statutory Sick Pay Percentage Threshold Order (Northern Ireland) 1995 (S.R. 1995/69), art. 6(1)(a)(ii)

F1127 Words in s. 172(2)(c) substituted (23.3.1994) by S.I. 1994/766 (N.I. 5), arts. 1(2), 5(2) (with art. 4(6))

F1128 Words in s. 172(2)(c) ceased to have effect (24.3.1999 for specified purposes and 1.4.1999 otherwise) by virtue of S.I. 1999/671, arts. 1(2)(b), 3(1), Sch. 1 para. 18 (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1129 S. 172(3)(a) repealed (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, arts. 4, 24(3), Sch. 3 para. 29(3), Sch. 9 Pt. I (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1130 Words in s. 172(3)(b) omitted (6.4.1995) by virtue of S.R. 1995/69, art. 6(1)(a)(iii)

F1131 Words in s. 172(3)(c) repealed (1.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

F1132 Words in s. 172(4) substituted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(15)(a); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F1133 Words in s. 172(4) substituted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(19)(b); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1134 S. 172(4A) inserted (8.1.2001, 1.2.2001 for specified purposes and 6.4.2002 otherwise) by 2000 c. 4 (N.I.), s. 33(15)(b); S.R. 2000/358, art. 2(e), Sch. Pt. IV (as amended by S.R. 2000/374, art. 3); S.R. 2001/34, art. 2(a)

F1135 Words in s. 172(4A) inserted (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), Sch. 1 para. 32(b)

F1136 S. 172(7A) inserted (5.4.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), s. 23(1), Sch. 1 para. 2(19)(c); S.R. 2015/86, art. 4(2)(b) (with art. 7(2))

F1137 S. 172(8) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1999/3208, art. 2

F1138 Words in s. 172(9) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 29(4) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1139 Words in s. 172(9) substituted (26.9.2007) by Pensions Act 2007 (c. 22), ss. 8(5)(a), 30(3)

F1140 Words in s. 172(9) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 29(4) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1141 Word in s. 172(11) substituted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 18(2)(7)

F1142 S. 172(11ZA) inserted (26.9.2007) by Pensions Act 2007 (c. 22), ss. 8(5)(b), 30(3)

F1143 S. 172(11ZB) inserted (with effect in relation to regulations specifying the upper earnings limit for 2009-10 or any subsequent tax year) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2008 (c. 16), ss. 2(2), 6(1) (with s. 6(3))

F1144 S. 172(11A)(11B) inserted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/671, art. 4, Sch. 3 para. 29(5) (with savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 7); S.R. 1999/149, art. 2(c), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-6)

F1145 Words in s. 172(11A) inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 2(2)(a), 9

F1146 Word in s. 172(11A) inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 9(10)(11)(b)

F1147 Words in s. 172(11A) inserted (12.4.2015) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), s. 1(10)(11)(a)

F1148 Word in s. 172(11A) inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 4(2), 9

F1149 Words in s. 172(11A) substituted (with effect for the tax year 2015-16 and subsequent tax years) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2015 (c. 5), Sch. 1 paras. 17, 35

F1150 Word in s. 172(11A) inserted (13.10.2014) by Pensions Act 2014 (c. 19), s. 56(1), Sch. 15 para. 20; S.I. 2014/2727, art. 2

F1151 Word in s. 172(11A) inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 13(6)(7)

F1152 Words in s. 172(11A) substituted (26.2.2003 for specified purposes, 1.4.2003 for specified purposes, 7.4.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 4 para. 6; S.I. 2003/392, art. 2

F1153 Punctuation in s. 172(11B) inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 18(3)(a)(7)

F1154 Words in s. 172(11B) inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 18(3)(b)(7)

F1155 S. 172(11B)(b)(c) inserted (13.5.2014) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2014 (c. 7), s. 18(3)(c)(7)

F1156 S. 172(11C)-(11E) inserted (30.3.2006) by National Insurance Contributions Act 2006 (c. 10), ss. 2(2)(b), 9

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C98 S. 172(4) applied (1.1.2000 for specified purposes and 3.4.2000 otherwise) by 1999 c. 33, s. 115(8); S.I. 1999/3190, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2000/464, art. 2, Sch. 1

C99 S. 172(9) modified (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 2(4), 20(2), Sch. 2 para. 20(e)

Marginal Citations

M43 1954 c. 33 (N.I.).

M44 1954 c. 33 (N.I.).

Supplementary U.K.

173 Short title, commencement and extent. U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992.

(2) This Act is to be read, where appropriate, with the Administration Act and the Consequential Provisions Act.

(3) The enactments consolidated by this Act are repealed, in consequence of the consolidation, by the Consequential Provisions Act.

(4) Except as provided in Schedule 4 to the Consequential Provisions Act, this Act shall come into force on 1st July 1992.

(5) Except as provided by this section, this Act extends to Northern Ireland only.

(6) Section 116(2) and this section also extend to Great Britain.