Amendment of the Housing Benefit Regulations2

1

The Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20062 shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5).

2

In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

a

after the definition of “the Children Order” insert—

  • “the Electronic Communications Act” means the Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001;

b

after the definition of “the Eileen Trust” insert—

  • “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Electronic Communications Act;

3

After regulation 81 (time and manner in which claims are to be made) insert—

Electronic claims for benefit81A

A claim for housing benefit may be made by means of an electronic communication in accordance with Schedule 11.

4

After regulation 84 (duty to notify change of circumstances) insert—

Notice of change of circumstances given electronically84A

A person may give notice of a change of circumstances required to be notified under regulation 84 by means of an electronic communication in accordance with Schedule 11.

5

After Schedule 10 (matters to be included in decision notice) add as Schedule 11 the Schedule set out in the Schedule to this Order.