Amendment of the Jobseeker’s Allowance RegulationsI14

1

The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 199623 shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8).

2

In regulation 1(2) (interpretation) after the definition of “war widower’s pension”24 insert—

  • “water charges” means any water and sewerage charges under Chapter I of Part VII of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 in so far as such charges are in respect of the dwelling which a person occupies as his home;

3

In regulation 105(10)(a) (notional income) at the end of head (ii)25 add “, or is used for any water charges for which that claimant or partner is liable”.

4

In regulation 113(3)(a) (notional capital) at the end of head (ii)26 add “, or is used for any water charges for which that claimant or partner is liable”.

5

In regulations 136A(3)27 (treatment of payments from access funds) for “shall be disregarded as income to the extent of £20 per week” substitute “and any payments from access funds which are used for any water charges for which that claimant or partner is liable shall be disregarded as income to the extent of £20 per week”.

6

In regulation 138(3)28 (income treated as capital) for “shall be disregarded as capital but only for a period of 52 weeks from the date of the payment” substitute “or which is used for an item other than any water charges for which that claimant or partner is liable shall be disregarded as capital but only for a period of 52 weeks from the date of the payment”.

7

In Schedule 6 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)—

a

in paragraph 1429 at the end of sub-paragraph (2) add “or any water charges for which the claimant or member is liable”;

b

in paragraph 23—

i

in sub-paragraph (2)(b) after “rates” insert “or water charges”, and

ii

after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A

The definition of “water charges” in regulation 1(2) shall apply to sub-paragraph (2) with the omission of the words “in so far as such charges are in respect of the dwelling which a person occupies as his home”.

c

in paragraph 6530 at the end of sub-paragraph (2) add “or any water charges for which that claimant or member is liable”.

8

In Schedule 7 (capital to be disregarded) in paragraph 4931 at the end of sub-paragraph (2) add “, or any water charges for which that claimant or member is liable”.