The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

CHAPTER 1 N.I. Miscellaneous

Waiting days N.I.

144.—(1) A claimant is not entitled to an employment and support allowance in respect of [F1 7] days at the beginning of a period of limited capability for work.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where—

(a) the claimant’s entitlement to an employment and support allowance commences within 12 weeks of the claimant’s entitlement to income support, [F2 incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance,] state pension credit, a jobseeker’s allowance, a carer’s allowance [F3 , statutory sick pay or a maternity allowance] coming to an end;

(b) the claimant is terminally ill and has—

(i) made a claim expressly on the ground of being terminally ill, or

(ii) made an application for supersession or revision in accordance with the Decisions and Appeals Regulations which contains an express statement of being terminally ill; [F4 or]

(c) the claimant has been discharged from being a member of Her Majesty’s forces and 3 or more days immediately before that discharge were days of sickness absence from duty, which are recorded by the Secretary of State for Defence.

[F5 or

(d) the claimant is the other member of a couple to whom regulation 4H(2) of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 applies and the former claimant was not entitled to an employment and support allowance in respect of [F6 7] days at the beginning of the period of limited capability for work which relates to the former claimant’s entitlement][F7 ; or

(e) the claimant is entitled to an employment and support allowance by virtue of section 1B of the Act (further entitlement after time-limiting).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in reg. 144(1) substituted (27.10.2014) by The Social Security (Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance) (Waiting Days) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/235), regs. 1, 2(2) (with reg. 4(2))

F2 Words in reg. 144(2)(a) inserted (31.1.2011) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 25(3)

F3 Words in reg. 144(2)(a) substituted (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/413), regs. 1(1), 3(25)(a)

F4 Word in reg. 144(2)(b) omitted (27.10.2008) by virtue of The Employment and Support Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/413), regs. 1(1), 3(25)(b)

F5 Reg. 144(2)(d) and word added (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/413), regs. 1(1), 3(25)(c)

F6 Word in reg. 144(2)(d) substituted (27.10.2014) by The Social Security (Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance) (Waiting Days) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/235), regs. 1, 2(2) (with reg. 4(2)(3))

F7 Reg. 144(2)(e) and word added (28.11.2016) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Duration of Contributory Allowance) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/175), regs. 1(1), 8(3)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 144 in operation at 27.10.2008, see reg. 1(1)

Linking rules N.I.

145.—(1) Any period of limited capability for work which is separated from another such period by not more than 12 weeks is to be treated as a continuation of the earlier period.

F8 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F8 Reg. 145(2)-(5) omitted (28.11.2016) by virtue of The Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment of Linking Rules) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/176), regs. 1(2), 4(5)

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 145 in operation at 27.10.2008, see reg. 1(1)

Advance awards N.I.

146.—(1) Where section 5 of the Act (advance award of income-related allowance) applies to a claim and the claimant satisfies the conditions in paragraph (2)—

(a) the claim is to be treated as if made for a period from the relevant day; and

(b) the Department may award an employment and support allowance from the relevant day.

(2) The conditions are that—

(a) the Department is of the opinion that unless there is a change of circumstances the claimant will satisfy the conditions set out in section 1(3)(b) to (f) of, and Part 2 of Schedule 1 to, the Act when an income-related allowance becomes payable under the award; and

(b) the claimant is treated as having limited capability for work in accordance with regulation 20, 25, 26, [F9 30] or 33(2) for the period before an income-related allowance becomes payable under the award.

(3) Where an award is made under paragraph (1)—

(a) the award for an employment and support allowance shall become payable on the date on which the claimant would have been entitled to a main phase employment and support allowance if the claimant had satisfied the condition in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Act before the relevant day;

(b) section 4(4)(a) or (5)(a) of the Act does not apply to that award.

(4) In this regulation the “relevant day” is the day after the end of a period of 13 weeks beginning on the first day on which the claimant would be entitled to an income-related allowance if the claimant satisfied the condition in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Act.

Textual Amendments

F9 Word in reg. 146(2)(b) substituted (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/413), regs. 1(1), 3(26)

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 146 in operation at 27.10.2008, see reg. 1(1)

Recovery orders N.I.

147.—(1) Where an award of income-related allowance has been made to a claimant, the Department may apply to the court for a recovery order against the claimant’s partner.

(2) On making a recovery order the court may order the partner to pay such amount at such intervals as it considers appropriate, having regard to all the circumstances of the partner and, in particular, the partner’s income.

(3) A recovery order is to be treated for all purposes as if it were a maintenance order within the meaning of Article 85(15) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(1).

(4) Where a recovery order requires the partner to make payments to the Department, the Department may, by giving notice in writing to the court which made the order, the liable person and the claimant, transfer to the claimant the right to receive payments under the order and to exercise the relevant rights in relation to the order.

(5) In paragraph 4 the “relevant rights” means, in relation to a recovery order, the right to bring any proceedings, take any steps or do any other thing under or in relation to the order.

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 147 in operation at 27.10.2008, see reg. 1(1)

[F10 Claimants appealing a decision N.I.

147A.— [F11 (1) This regulation applies where a claimant has made and is pursuing an appeal against a relevant decision of the Department as defined in regulation 30.]

(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 [F12 , struck out or has been discontinued in accordance with the provisions of regulation 33(9) of the Decisions and Appeals Regulations (making of appeals and applications)]

the claimant is to be treated as not having limited capability for work [F13 with effect from the day specified in paragraph (5A).]

[F14 (5A) The day specified for the purposes of paragraph (5) is the first day of the benefit week following the date on which the Department either—

(a) receives the clerk of the appeal tribunal’s notification that the appeal is dismissed, withdrawn or struck out, or

(b) discontinues action on an appeal in the circumstances to which regulation 33(9) (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations applies.]

(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.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Reg. 147A and cross heading heading inserted (28.6.2010) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/200), regs. 1, 9(15)

F11 Reg. 147A(1) substituted (30.3.2015) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Repeat Assessments and Pending Appeal Awards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (S.R. 2015/185), regs. 1(1), 3(3)

F12 Words in reg. 147A(5)(c) substituted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(10)(a)

F13 Words in reg. 147A(5) substituted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(10)(b)

F14 Reg. 147A(5A) inserted (31.10.2011) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/357), regs. 1(1), 21(11)

(1)

S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26)