http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2007/2/contents/2021-09-30

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

An Act to make provision about social security and for connected purposes.

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Statute Law Database

2024-05-15

Expert Participation

2021-09-30

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 20(6)

The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

reg. 82(2)

reg. 1(3)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 2(3)-(6)

Child Maintenance Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

Sch. 5

s. 41(1)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 14(5)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

art. 60(7)

art. 2(2)

art. 2(3)(b)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1(3)(za)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

art. 67(2)

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1(3B)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

art. 67(3)

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 2

para. 4B

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

art. 67(4)

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 20(1)(a)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 3

para. 21(e)

art. 2(2)

art. 2(2)(c)(vi)

art. 6

art. 78 10- 25Sch. 3

art. 4

art. 5

art. 4

art. 5

art. 4

art. 5

art. 4

art. 5

art. 2(5)-(7)

art. 2(8)- (12)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1(3)(e)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 29-36

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 38(2)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 42-44

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 57(1)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 1 para. 1(5)(e) and word

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 1

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 2(2)

(8)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 3(9)

(10)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(3)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(8)(b)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(10)(b)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(14)

(16)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(28)(b)

(c)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 12(4)

(5)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 4

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 5

para. 2-4

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 5

para. 6

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 1

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1C

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 5

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 16A

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 5

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 24(3A)

(3B)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 5

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 26(3)(b)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 5

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 50

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 7

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 7

para. 1(3)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 7

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 7

para. 2(3)

(4)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 7

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 7

para. 4

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 7

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 48

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 8

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 54(2)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 8

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(28)(a)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 8

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 10(5)(b)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 8

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 7

para. 1(2)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 8

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 44(3)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 9

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 4(6)

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 10

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 45

The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015

Sch. 12

Pt. 11

art. 2(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Pt. 1

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 5(1)(b)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1(3)(e)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 1

s. 9(3)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 1(6)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 1

para. 26

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 14(5)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 25(2)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 20(1)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 6

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 24(1)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 1

s. 9(3)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 39(3)(a)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 1

s. 9(3)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 1

para. 1(4)(b)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 12(5)(c)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 1

para. 6(1)(d)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 1

s. 9(3)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 1

para. 6(1)(da)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 5(2)(a)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 1

para. 6(2A)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

s. 5(2)(b)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para 3(9)

(10)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 1

s. 9(3)

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Sch. 3

para. 6(3)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Welfare Reform Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010

Sch. 4

Pt. 3

s. 36(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

s. 14(5)

The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016

Sch. 6

para. 56(b)

art. 9(2)

art. 1(2)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

Pt. 1

The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) (Citizens' Rights Agreement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 (revoked)

The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) (Citizens' Rights Agreement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019

The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) (Citizens’ Rights Agreement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019

art. 2(2)(f)

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

PART 1EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE

Entitlement

1Employment and support allowance

1ADuration of contributory allowance

1BFurther entitlement after time-limiting

1CClaimant commitment

2Amount of contributory allowance

3Deductions from contributory allowance: supplementary

4Amount of income-related allowance

5Advance award of income-related allowance

6Amount payable where claimant entitled to both forms of allowance

7Exclusion of payments below prescribed minimum

Assessments relating to entitlement

8Limited capability for work

9Limited capability for work-related activity

10Report

Work-related requirements

11Work-related requirements

11AClaimant commitment

11BWork-focused interview requirement

11CWork preparation requirement

11DPersons subject to no work-related requirements

11EPersons subject to work-focused interview requirement only

11FPersons subject to work preparation and work-focused interview requirement

11GConnected requirements

11HImposition of requirements

11ICompliance with requirements

11JSanctions

11KConcurrent exercise of certain functions by Department for Employment and Learning

11LDelegation and contracting out

12Work-focused interviews

13Work-related activity

14Action plans in connection with work-focused interviews

15Directions about work-related activity

16Contracting out

16AHardship payments

Miscellaneous

17Income and capital: general

18Disqualification

19Pilot schemes

20Relationship with statutory payments

21Deemed entitlement for other purposes

22Supplementary provisions

23Recovery of sums in respect of maintenance

General

24Interpretation, etc. of Part 1

25Regulations and orders

26Assembly control

27Financial provisions relating to Part 1

28Consequential amendments relating to Part 1

29Transition relating to Part 1

PART 2HOUSING BENEFIT

30Local housing allowance

31Loss of housing benefit following eviction for anti-social behaviour, etc.

32Housing benefit for persons taking up employment

33Section 32: supplemental

34Sections 32 and 33: interpretation

35Payment of housing benefit

36Directions by Department

37Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 2

PART 3SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: GENERAL

Sharing of social security information

38Social security information

39Information relating to certain benefits

40Unlawful disclosure of certain information

Overpayment recovery

41Recovery of overpaid benefit

Benefit fraud

42Housing Executive powers to investigate benefit fraud

43Housing Executive powers to prosecute benefit fraud

44Housing Executive functions relating to benefit: information

45Loss of benefit for commission of benefit offences

PART 4MISCELLANEOUS

Benefits for bereaved persons

46Widowed mother's allowance

47Widowed parent's allowance

Disability living allowance: age conditions

48Care component of disability living allowance: persons under the age of 16

49Mobility component of disability living allowance: persons under the age of 16

Social fund

50Matters to which regard must be had in awarding budgeting loans

51Allocations from Social Fund

Compensation for pneumoconiosis etc.

52“Relevant employer”

53“Dependant”

Other

54Power to stop payment of allowances to care home residents

55Medical examinations

56Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 4

SCHEDULE 1EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

PART 1CONTRIBUTORY ALLOWANCE

PART 2INCOME-RELATED ALLOWANCE

6(1) The conditions are that the claimant—

SCHEDULE 2EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE: SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Limited capability for work

1Regulations may make provision— (a) for a person to be...

Waiting days

2Except in prescribed circumstances, a person is not entitled to...

Periods of less than a week

3Regulations may make provision in relation to—

Linking periods

4(1) Regulations may provide for circumstances in which a period...

Exemption

4ARegulations may prescribe circumstances in which a person may be...

Presence in Northern Ireland

5Regulations may make provision for the purposes of this Part...

Contributory allowance: entitlement in case of absence from Northern Ireland

6Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances a claimant who...

Contributory allowance: modification in relation to employment on ships etc.

7(1) Regulations may modify any provision of this Part, so...

8(1) Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances a claimant...

Limited capability for work-related activity

9Regulations may make provision— (a) for a person to be...

Effect of work

10Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which a person is to...

10ZA

Good reason for failure to comply with certain regulations

10A(1) This paragraph applies to any regulations made under paragraph...

Responsibility for children

10BRegulations may for any purpose of this Part specify circumstances...

Treatment of allowance as “benefit”

11Regulations may provide for— (a) an employment and support allowance,...

Attribution of reductions in cases where allowance taken to consist of two elements

12Where an employment and support allowance is taken by virtue...

Treatment of information supplied as information relating to social security

13Information supplied in pursuance of regulations under any of sections...

Advance claims

14This Part shall have effect with prescribed modifications in relation...

SCHEDULE 3CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PART 1

The Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 20)

1In Article 131 of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order...

The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (NI 23)

2(1) The Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 is amended...

The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 7)

3(1) The Contributions and Benefits Act is amended as follows....

The Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8)

4(1) The Administration Act is amended as follows.

The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 2)

5(1) The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 is amended as...

The Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 15)

6(1) The Jobseekers Order is amended as follows.

The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 18)

7In Article 25 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order...

The Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 22)

8In Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995...

The Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 18)

9(1) The Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 is amended...

The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 10)

10(1) The 1998 Order is amended as follows.

The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33)

11In section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999...

The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 11)

12In Article 69 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern...

The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4)

13(1) The 2000 Act is amended as follows.

The Social Security Fraud Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 (c. 17)

14(1) The Social Security Fraud Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 is...

SCHEDULE 4TRANSITION RELATING TO PART 1

General power to provide for transition relating to Part 1

1(1) Regulations may make such provision as the Department considers...

Pre-commencement claims

2Regulations may— (a) make provision for a claim for incapacity...

Post-commencement claims

3Regulations may— (a) make provision excluding the making of a...

Award of employment and support allowance for pre-commencement period

4Regulations may— (a) make provision for an employment and support...

Matching of awards of employment and support allowance

5(1) For the purposes of this paragraph, an award of...

6(1) For the purposes of this paragraph an award of...

Treatment of existing awards

7(1) Regulations may— (a) make provision for converting existing awards...

Transitional allowances

8Regulations may— (a) make provision for a person's continuing entitlement...

9(1) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which a person who...

Post-commencement up-rating of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance

10Regulations may provide for section 132 of the Administration Act...

Interpretation

11In this Schedule— “appointed day” means the day appointed for...

SCHEDULE 5MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PART 2

The Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8)

1The Administration Act is amended as follows.

2In section 128E (information about attainment of standards), in subsection...

3(1) Section 128F (enforcement notices) is amended as follows.

4(1) Section 128G (enforcement determinations) is amended as follows.

5In section 167(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “prescribe” at...

The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 4)

6In Schedule 7 to the 2000 Act (housing benefit: revisions...

SCHEDULE 6SCHEDULE TO BE INSERTED IN THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS, ETC., (WORKERS' COMPENSATION) (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1979

SCHEDULE 7MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PART 4

The Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 7)

1(1) The Contributions and Benefits Act is amended as follows....

The Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8)

2(1) The Administration Act is amended as follows.

The Deregulation and Contracting Out (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 11)

3In Article 17 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out (Northern...

The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (NI 10)

4In Article 38(7) of the 1998 Order (principles applicable on...

SCHEDULE 8REPEALS

Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007

2007 CHAPTER 2

An Act to make provision about social security and for connected purposes.

[29th June 2007]

BE IT ENACTED by being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and assented to by Her Majesty as follows:C1

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Act: transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with art. 9(2))