The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Amendment of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations N.I.

9.—(1) The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008(1) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (20).

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) omit the definition of “medical examination centre”;

(ii) for the definition of “period of limited capability for work” substitute—

““period of limited capability for work” means, except in paragraph (4A), a period throughout which a person has, or is treated as having, limited capability for work, and does not include a period which is outside the prescribed time for claiming as specified in regulation 19 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987”; and

(b) after paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) For the purposes of paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act (condition relating to youth) “period of limited capability for work” means a period throughout which a person has, or is treated as having, limited capability for work.”.

F1 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) In regulation 5 (the assessment phase – previous claimants)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b) for “paragraph (3) and regulation 6” substitute “paragraphs (3) and (4)”;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) at the end of sub-paragraph (a)(ii) omit “and”,

(ii) at the end of sub-paragraph (a)(iii) for “or” substitute “and”,

(iii) after sub-paragraph (a)(iii) insert—

“(iv) the period for which the claimant was previously entitled was no more than 13 weeks; or”,

(iv) at the end of sub-paragraph (b)(i) omit “and”, and

(v) in sub-paragraph (b) after head (ii) add—

“and

(iii) the period for which the claimant was previously entitled was no more than 13 weeks.”; and

(c) after paragraph (3) add—

“(4) Where a person has made and is pursuing an appeal against a decision of the Department that embodies a determination that the claimant does not have limited capability for work—

(a) paragraph (3) does not apply; and

(b) paragraph (1) does not apply to any period of limited capability for work to which regulation 147A(2) applies until a determination of limited capability for work has been made following the determination of the appeal by the appeal tribunal.”.

(5) Omit regulation 6 (the assessment phase – claimants appealing against a decision).

(6) In regulation 7(2) (circumstances where the condition that the assessment phase has ended before entitlement to the support component or the work-related activity component arises does not apply)—

F2 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) in paragraph (2) for “where the claimant is appealing a decision which embodies a determination that the claimant does not have limited capability for work” substitute “to any period of limited capability for work to which regulation 147A(2) applies until the determination of limited capability for work has been made following the determination of the appeal by the appeal tribunal”.

(7) For regulation 13 (modification of the relevant benefit year) substitute—

“Modification of the relevant benefit year

13.— (1) Where paragraph (2) applies, paragraph 3(1)(f) of Schedule 1 to the Act has effect as if “relevant benefit year” is any benefit year which includes all or part of the period of limited capability for work which includes the relevant benefit week.

(2) This paragraph applies where a claimant has made a claim to employment and support allowance but does not satisfy—

(a) the first contribution condition;

(b) the second contribution condition; or

(c) both contribution conditions,

but would satisfy those conditions if the modified definition of “relevant benefit year” provided in paragraph (1) applied.”.

F3 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) After regulation 32(3) (certain claimants to be treated as not having limited capability for work) insert—

“Claimants to be treated as not having limited capability for work at the end of the period covered by medical evidence

32A.   Where the Department is satisfied that it is appropriate in the circumstances of the case then a claimant may be treated as not having limited capability for work if—

(a) the claimant has supplied medical evidence in accordance with regulation 30(2)(a);

(b) the period for which medical evidence was supplied has ended;

(c) the Department has requested further medical evidence; and

(d) the claimant has not, before whichever is the later of either the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the date of the Department’s request or the end of 6 weeks beginning with the day after the end of the period for which medical evidence was supplied—

(i) supplied further medical evidence, or

(ii) otherwise made contact with the Department to indicate a wish to have the question of limited capability for work determined.”.

(10) In regulation 45(4) (exempt work)—

(a) in paragraph (3)(b) for “voluntary organisation” substitute “by a voluntary organisation or community interest company(5)”;

(b) in paragraph (4) for sub-paragraph (a) substitute —

“(a) is done during a period of specified work, provided that—

(i) the claimant has not previously done specified work,

(ii) since the beginning of the last period of specified work, the claimant has ceased to be entitled to a relevant benefit for a continuous period exceeding 12 weeks, or

(iii) not less than 52 weeks have elapsed since the last period of specified work; or”; and

(c) after paragraph (10) add—

“(11) For the purposes of this regulation, a period of specified work begins on the first day on which any specified work is undertaken and continues for a period of 52 weeks, whether or not any further specified work is undertaken during that period.”.

(11) In regulation 49 (notification of assessment) after paragraph (2) add—

“(3) A claimant may be required to take part in a work-focused health-related assessment either by attendance in person or by telephone.”.

(12) Omit regulation 50 (determination of the place of the work-focused health-related assessment).

(13) In regulation 53(3) (failure to take part in a work-focused health-related assessment)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) that the physical or mental health or condition of the claimant made it impracticable for the claimant to take part in a work-focused health-related assessment;”;

(b) at the end of sub-paragraph (c) omit “and”; and

(c) after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

“(ca) that the claimant had caring responsibilities in relation to a child and childcare was not reasonably available or was unsuitable due to the particular needs of the claimant or the child; and”.

(14) In regulation 61(3) (failure to take part in a work-focused interview)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (i)(6) substitute—

“(i) that the physical or mental health or condition of the claimant made it impracticable for the claimant to attend at the time and place fixed for the interview;”; and

(b) after sub-paragraph (j) insert—

“(ja) that the claimant had caring responsibilities in relation to a child and childcare was not reasonably available or was unsuitable due to the particular needs of the claimant or the child; and”.

(15) After regulation 147 (recovery orders) insert—

“Claimants appealing a decision

147A.— (1) This regulation applies where a claimant has made and is pursuing an appeal against a decision of the Department that embodies a determination that the claimant does not have limited capability for work.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(5) Where this regulation applies and—

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

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

(c) the claimant’s appeal is dismissed, withdrawn or struck out,

the claimant is to be treated as not having limited capability for work with effect from the beginning of the first day of the benefit week following the date on which the Department was notified by the appeal tribunal that the appeal is dismissed, withdrawn or struck out.

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

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

(16) In regulation 154 (absence in order to receive health service treatment)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (b) omit “and”; and

(b) omit paragraph (c).

(17) In regulation 155(1) (absence of member of family of member of Her Majesty’s forces)—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (a) omit “and”; and

(b) omit sub-paragraph (b).

(18) In paragraph 10(1)(a) of Schedule 6 (housing costs – general exclusions from paragraphs 8 and 9) for “the claimant’s partner” substitute “the claimant or the claimant’s partner”.

(19) In Schedule 7 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of earnings) after paragraph 5(7) insert—

“5A.   In the case of a claimant who receives a payment to which regulation 92(2) applies, £20, except where regulation 45(2) to (4) applies to the claimant, in which case the amounts specified in paragraph 6 shall apply, but only up to a maximum of £20.”.

(20) In Schedule 8 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)—

F4 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) in paragraph 14(1)(a) after “allowance” add “or a jobseeker’s allowance”.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 9(3) revoked (29.10.2013) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/246), reg. 1(1), Sch.

F2 Reg. 9(6)(a) revoked (1.5.2012) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment of Linking Rules) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/160), regs. 1, 4

F3 Reg. 9(8) revoked (29.10.2013) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/246), reg. 1(1), Sch.

F4 Reg. 9(20)(a) revoked (11.4.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/135), reg. 1(1), Sch.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 9 in operation at 28.6.2010, see reg. 1

(1)

S.R. 2008 No. 280; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 2008 Nos. 413 and 478 and S.R. 2009 Nos. 318 and 338

(2)

Regulation 7 was amended by regulation 12 of S.R. 2008 No. 478

(3)

Regulation 32 was substituted by regulation 3(5) of S.R. 2008 No. 413

(4)

Regulation 45 was amended by regulation 5(2) of S.R. 2009 No. 318

(5)

See Part 2 of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27) and section 1284 of the Companies Act 2006 (c. 49)

(6)

Sub-paragraph (i) was amended by regulation 8(3) of S.R. 2009 No. 338

(7)

Paragraph 5 was amended by regulation 5(4) of S.R. 2009 No. 318