The Healthy Start Scheme and Day Care Food Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Claim for benefit

5.—(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) to (4), no person described in regulation 4 may become entitled to benefit unless he first submits to the Department a claim in writing that includes the information, and is supported by the written evidence, declaration and signatures, specified in Schedule 1.

(2) Where a person who has parental responsibility for a child described at regulation 4(3)(e) who is under the age of four months notifies by telephone the Department of the date of birth of the child, the child may become entitled to benefit from and including the date of his birth.

(3) A mother described in regulation 4(3)(c) may become entitled to benefit from and including the date of birth of her child provided that she has not submitted a claim as a mother described in regulation 4(3)(d) in respect of that child.

(4) A person described in regulation 4 who ceased to be entitled less than three months previously may have his entitlement renewed if he is able to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Department that the circumstances that resulted in him ceasing to be so entitled have reverted to those that prevailed when he was so entitled.

(5) Subject to paragraph (1) a person described—

(a) in regulation 4(3)(d) who is entitled to child tax credit will be entitled to benefit from and including the date on which she became so entitled in respect of the child described at regulation 4(3)(d)(ii),

(b) in regulation 4(3)(d) or (e) or (5) who is a member of the family of a person who is entitled to child tax credit will be entitled to benefit from and including the date on which he became a person so described.

(6) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, a person’s entitlement under this regulation and regulation 4 shall begin from and including the date on which his claim complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) is received by the Department.