The Education (Student Support) ( No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART 5 N.I. GRANTS FOR LIVING AND OTHER COSTS

CHAPTER 1 N.I. TYPES OF GRANTS AVAILABLE

Current system students N.I.

37.  The following grants are available to a current system student in connection with a designated course if the student meets the relevant qualifying conditions in this Part—

(a) disabled students’ allowance;

(b) grant for dependants;

(c) grant for travel;

(d) maintenance grant or special support grant.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 37 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students N.I.

38.  The following grants are available to an old system student in connection with a designated course if the student meets the relevant qualifying conditions in this Part—

(a) disabled students’ allowance;

(b) grant for dependants;

(c) grant for travel;

(d) higher education bursary.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 38 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 2 N.I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

General qualifying conditions for grants for living and other costs N.I.

39.—(1) An eligible student qualifies for a grant under this Part provided that the student—

(a) is not excluded from qualification by any of the following paragraphs; and

(b) satisfies the qualifying conditions for the particular grant for which the student is applying.

(2) An eligible student does not qualify for—

(a) a bursary or grant under this Part if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 2 into which the student falls is paragraph 9; or

(b) a bursary under regulation 61 in respect of any academic year of a part-time course for the initial training of teachers referred to in paragraph 5 of Schedule 3.

(3) An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of—

(a) an academic year which is a bursary year;

(b) an academic year of a course for the initial training of teachers during which the periods of full-time attendance, including attendance for the purpose of teaching practice, are in aggregate less than 6 weeks; or

(c) a flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers which is of less than one academic year’s duration.

(4) Paragraph (3)(b) does not apply for the purposes of the disabled students’ allowance.

(5) An eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of any academic year of a sandwich course where the periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks unless the periods of work experience constitute unpaid service.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), “unpaid service” means—

(a) unpaid service in a hospital or in a public health service laboratory in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland;

(b) unpaid service with a local authority in the United Kingdom or any equivalent body in the Republic of Ireland acting in the exercise of its functions relating to the care of children and young persons, health or welfare or with a voluntary organisation providing facilities or carrying out activities of a like nature in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland;

(c) unpaid service in the prison or probation and aftercare service in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland;

(d) unpaid research in an institution in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland or, in the case of a student attending an overseas institution as part of the student’s course, in an overseas institution; or

(e) unpaid service with—

(i) the Regional Health and Social Care Board established under section 7 of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009(1);

(ii) a Health and Social Care Trust established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(2);

(iii) a special agency established under Article 3 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Special Agencies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990(3);

(iv) an NHS body within the meaning of [F1 given by section 275(1) ] of the National Health Service Act 2006(4); or

(v) a Health Board or a Special Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978(5).

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), where one of the events listed in regulation 18 (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a particular grant in accordance with this Part in respect of F2 ... part of that academic year but a student does not qualify for such a grant in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

(8) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the European Community the student may qualify for a grant under this Part only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.

(9) Subject to paragraph (10), an eligible student does not qualify for a grant under this Part if the student is a prisoner.

(10) Paragraph (9) does not apply in respect of disabled students’ allowance.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 39(6)(e)(iv) substituted (1.4.2013) by The National Treatment Agency (Abolition) and the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/235), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 140

F2 Words in reg. 39(7) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 4

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 39 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Students who are treated as in attendance N.I.

40.—(1) A student to whom this regulation applies is treated as being in attendance on the designated course for the purpose of qualifying for the following grants—

(a) grant for dependants;

(b) disabled students’ allowance;

(c) maintenance grant or special support grant;

(d) higher education bursary.

(2) This regulation applies to—

(a) a compressed degree student;

[F3 (aa) a student on a period of study or period of overseas work placement in an Erasmus year; or]

(b) a disabled student who—

(i) is not a compressed degree student; and

(ii) is undertaking a designated course in the United Kingdom or at a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland but is not in attendance because the student is unable to attend for a reason which relates to the student’s disability.

Textual Amendments

F3 Reg. 40(2)(aa) inserted (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 11

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 40 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 3 N.I. DISABLED STUDENTS’ ALLOWANCES

Qualifying conditions for the disabled students’ allowance N.I.

41.  An eligible student (“A”) qualifies for a grant to assist with the additional expenditure which the Department is satisfied that A is obliged to incur in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course by reason of a disability to which A is subject.

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 41 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the disabled students’ allowance N.I.

42.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount of the disabled students’ allowance is the amount that the Department considers appropriate in accordance with the student’s circumstances.

(2) Except where paragraph (4) applies, the amount of the disabled students’ allowance must not exceed—

(a) £20,938 in respect of an academic year for expenditure on a non-medical personal helper;

(b) £5,266 in respect of all the academic years during the period of eligibility for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment;

(c) the additional expenditure incurred—

(i) within the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland for the purpose of attending the institution;

(ii) within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending, as a part of the student’s course, any period of study at an overseas institution or for the purpose of attending the Institute;

(d) £1,759 in respect of an academic year for any other expenditure including expenditure incurred for the purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) which exceeds the maxima specified in those sub-paragraphs.

(3) Where the eligible student has received payments to assist with expenditure on major items of specialist equipment in connection with the course by virtue of holding a transitional award, the maximum amount of grant under paragraph (2)(b) is reduced by the amount of those payments.

(4) The maximum amount under paragraphs (2)(a) and (d) is £15,703 and £1,319, respectively where—

(a) an eligible student attends a course for the initial training of teachers; and

(b) in any academic year of that course, the periods of full-time study and full-time teaching practice are in aggregate less than 6 weeks.

[F4 (5) Subject to paragraph (6), the disabled students’ allowance is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year, except where the allowance is used for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for the disabled students’ allowance for the purposes specified in paragraphs (2)(a), (c) and (d) in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(7) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the disabled students’ allowance only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Reg. 42(5)-(7) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 5

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 42 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 4 N.I. GRANTS FOR DEPENDANTS

Interpretation of Chapter 4 N.I.

43.—(1) In regulations 45 to 48—

(a) subject to sub-paragraph (n), “adult dependant” means, in relation to an eligible student, an adult person dependent on the student other than the student’s child, the student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Department considers the student is separated) or the student’s former partner;

(b) “child” in relation to an eligible student includes any child of the student’s partner who is dependent on the student and any child for whom the student has parental responsibility who is dependent on the student;

(c) “dependant” means, in relation to an eligible student, the student’s partner, the student’s dependent child or an adult dependant, who in each case is not an eligible student and does not hold a statutory award;

(d) “dependent” means wholly or mainly financially dependent;

(e) “dependent child” means, in relation to an eligible student, a child dependent on the student;

(f) “lone parent” means an eligible student who does not have a partner and who has a dependent child or dependent children;

(g) “net income” has the meaning given in paragraph (2);

[F5 (ga) “preceding financial year” means the financial year immediately preceding the relevant year;

(gb) “prior financial year” means the financial year immediately preceding the preceding financial year;

(gc) “relevant year” means the academic year of the course in respect of which the eligible student’s dependants’ income falls to be assessed;

(gd) “residual income” means taxable income after the application of paragraph (5) (in the case of an eligible student’s partner) or paragraph (6) (in the case of an eligible student’s adult dependants);

(ge) “taxable income” means, in respect of the prior financial year, a person’s taxable income from all sources computed for the purposes of—

(i) the Income Tax Acts;

(ii) the income tax legislation of another Member State which applies to the person’s income; or

(iii) where the legislation of more than one Member State applies to the period, the legislation under which the Department considers the person will pay the largest amount of tax in that period,

except that no account is taken of income referred to in paragraph (1A) paid to another party.]

(h) subject to sub-paragraphs (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m), “partner” means any of the following—

(i) the spouse of an eligible student;

(ii) the civil partner of an eligible student;

(iii) a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if that person were the student’s spouse where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5 and began the specified designated course on or after 1st September 2000;

(iv) a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if that person were the student’s civil partner where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5 and began the specified designated course on or after 1st September 2005;

(i) unless otherwise indicated, a person who would otherwise be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) is not to be treated as a partner if—

(i) in the opinion of the Department, that person and the eligible student are separated; or

(ii) the person is ordinarily living outside the United Kingdom and is not maintained by the eligible student;

(j) for the purposes of the definition of “adult dependant”, a person is to be treated as a partner if that person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible student with whom that person is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

(k) for the purposes of the definitions of “child” and “lone parent”, a person is to be treated as a partner if that person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the date on which the eligible student began the specified designated course or the fact that the eligible student with whom that person is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph 2(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

(l) for the purposes of regulation 46—

(i) sub-paragraph (i) does not apply; and

(ii) a person is to be treated as a partner if that person would be a partner under sub-paragraph (h) but for the fact that the eligible student with whom that person is ordinarily living does not fall within paragraph (2)(1)(a) of Schedule 5;

(m) for the purposes of determining whether a person is the former partner of an eligible student’s partner, “partner” in relation to an eligible student’s partner means—

(i) the spouse of an eligible student’s partner;

(ii) the civil partner of an eligible student’s partner;

(iii) where the eligible student began the specified designated course on or after 1st September 2000, a person (“A”) ordinarily living with an eligible student’s partner (“B”) as if A were B’s spouse;

(iv) where the eligible student began the specified designated course on or after 1st September 2005, a person “A” ordinarily living with an eligible student’s partner “B” as if A were B’s civil partner;

(n) subject to sub-paragraph (o), for the purposes of the definitions of “adult dependant” and “dependent child”, the Department may treat an adult person or child as dependent on an eligible student if the Department is satisfied that the adult person or child—

(i) is not dependent on—

(aa) the eligible student; or

(bb) the student’s partner; but

(ii) is dependent on the eligible student and the student’s partner together;

(o) the Department must not treat an adult person (“A”) as dependent on an eligible student in accordance with sub-paragraph (n), if A is—

(i) the spouse or civil partner of the eligible student’s partner (including a spouse or civil partner from whom the Department considers the eligible student’s partner is separated); or

(ii) the former partner of the eligible student’s partner.

[F6 (1A) The income referred to in this paragraph is any benefits under a pension arrangement pursuant to an order made under Article 25 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 which includes provision made by virtue of Articles 27B(4) and 27E(3) of that Order or pension benefits under Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 which includes provision made by virtue of Parts 6 and 7 of that Schedule.]

(2)  A dependant’s net income is the dependant’s income from all sources [F7 (for the relevant year for the purposes of regulation 45(2)(b) and for the prior financial year for the purposes of regulation 48(7))] reduced by the amount of income tax and social security contributions payable in respect of it but disregarding—

(a) any pension, allowance or other benefit paid by reason of a disability, incapacity or limited capability for work to which the dependant is subject;

(b) child benefit payable under Part IX of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992(6);

(c) any financial support payable to the dependant by an adoption agency in accordance with regulations made under Article 59A of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987(7);

(d) any guardian’s allowance to which the dependant is entitled under section 77 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992(8);

(e) in the case of a dependant with whom a child being looked after by an authority is placed, any payment made to that dependant in pursuance of Article 27 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995(9);

(f) any payments made to the dependant under Article 15 of and Schedule 1 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 in respect of a person who is not the dependant’s child or any assistance given by an authority pursuant to Article 35 of that Order; and

(g) any child tax credit to which the dependant is entitled under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 2002(10).

(3) Where an eligible student or the student’s partner makes any recurrent payments which were previously made by the student in pursuance of an obligation incurred before the first academic year of the student’s course, the partner’s [F8 residual income is] reduced by—

(a) an amount equal to the payments in question for the academic year, if in the opinion of the Department the obligation had been reasonably incurred; or

(b) such lesser amount, if any, as the Department considers appropriate if, in the opinion of the Department, a lesser obligation could reasonably have been incurred.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2), where the dependant is a dependent child and payments are made to the eligible student towards the child’s maintenance, those payments are to be treated as the child’s income.

[F9 (5) An eligible student’s partner’s residual income is determined in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5.

(6) An eligible student’s adult dependants’ residual income is determined in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 (other than sub-paragraphs (8), (9) and (10) of paragraph 5), references to the parent being construed as references to the eligible student’s adult dependants.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Reg. 43(1)(ga)-(ge) and words inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 6(a)

F6 Reg. 43(1A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 6(b)

F7 Words in reg. 43(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 6(c)(ii)

F8 Words in reg. 43(3) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 6(d)

F9 Reg. 43(5)(6) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 6(e)

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 43 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

General N.I.

44.—(1) The grant for dependants consists of the following elements—

(a) adult dependants’ grant;

(b) childcare grant;

(c) parents’ learning allowance.

(2) The qualifying conditions for each element and the amounts payable are set out in regulations 45 to 48.

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 44 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Adult dependants’ grant N.I.

45.—(1) An eligible student qualifies for an adult dependants’ grant in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course in accordance with this regulation.

(2) The adult dependants’ grant is available in respect of one dependant of an eligible student who is either—

(a) the eligible student’s partner; or

(b) an adult dependant whose net income [F10 for the relevant year] does not exceed £3,873.

(3) The amount of adult dependants’ grant payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulation 48, the basic amount being—

(a) £2,695; or

(b) where the person in respect of whom the eligible student is applying for adult dependants’ grant is ordinarily resident outside the United Kingdom, such amount not exceeding £2,695 as the Department considers reasonable in the circumstances.

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in reg. 45(2)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 7

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 45 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Childcare grant N.I.

46.—(1) An eligible student (“A”) qualifies for a childcare grant in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course in accordance with this regulation.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the childcare grant is available in respect of an academic year in which A incurs prescribed childcare charges for—

(a) a dependent child who is under the age of 15 immediately before the beginning of the academic year; or

(b) a dependent child who has special educational needs within the meaning of Article 3 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996(11) and is under the age of 17 immediately before the beginning of the academic year.

(3) A does not qualify for a childcare grant if A or A’s partner has elected to receive the childcare element of the working tax credit under Part I of the Tax Credits Act 2002(12).

(4) A does not qualify for a childcare grant if the prescribed childcare charges that A incurs for A’s child are paid or to be paid by A to A’s partner.

(5) Subject to [F11 paragraphs (6) and (8)] , the basic amount of childcare grant for each week is—

(a) for one dependent child, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £148.75 per week; or

(b) for two or more dependent children, 85 per cent. of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £255 per week

except that A does not qualify for any such grant in respect of each week falling within the period between the end of the course and the end of the academic year in which the course ends.

(6) For the purposes of calculating the basic amount of childcare grant—

(a) a week runs from Monday to Sunday; and

(b) where a week in respect of which prescribed childcare charges are incurred falls partly within and partly outside the academic year in respect of which childcare grant is payable under this regulation, the maximum weekly amount of grant is calculated by multiplying the relevant maximum weekly amount in paragraph (5) by the number of days of that week falling within the academic year and dividing the product by seven.

(7) In this regulation “prescribed childcare charges” means childcare charges of a description prescribed for the purposes of section 12 of the Tax Credits Act 2002(13).

[F12 (8) Where A’s application for a childcare grant does not identify a childcare provider, the Department may limit—

(a) the amount of grant paid to A to the amount specified in paragraph (9), and

(b) payment of the grant to one quarter of the academic year,

until A has submitted details of the childcare provider to the Department.

(9) In paragraph (8), the amount of childcare grant is 85 per cent of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £115 per week.

(10) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (11), a childcare grant is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(11) Subject to paragraph (12), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a childcare grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(12) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the childcare grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in reg. 46(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 8

F12 Reg. 46(8)-(12) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 9

Commencement Information

I10 Reg. 46 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Parents’ learning allowance N.I.

47.—(1) An eligible student (“A”) qualifies in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course for the parents’ learning allowance if A has one or more dependants who are dependent children.

(2) The amount of parents’ learning allowance payable in respect of an academic year is calculated in accordance with regulation 48, the basic amount being £1,538.

Commencement Information

I11 Reg. 47 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Calculations N.I.

48.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs, the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the grant for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies under regulations 45 to 47 is the amount of that element remaining after applying, until it is extinguished, an amount equal to as follows and in the following order—

(a) to reduce the basic amount of the adult dependants’ grant where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 45;

(b) to reduce the basic amount of the childcare grant for the academic year where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 46; and

(c) to reduce the basic amount of the parents’ learning allowance where the eligible student qualifies for that element under regulation 47.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (4), (5) and (13), where B is greater than or equal to A, the basic amount of each element of the grant for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies is payable.

(3) Where is equal to or exceeds the aggregate of the basic amounts of the elements of the grant for dependants for which the eligible student qualifies, the amount payable in respect of each element is nil.

(4) The amount of adult dependants’ grant calculated under paragraph (1) in respect of an adult dependant is reduced by one half where—

(a) the eligible student’s partner—

(i) is an eligible student; or

(ii) holds a statutory award; and

(b) account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which that partner is entitled under the statutory award.

(5) The amount of childcare grant calculated under paragraph (1) is reduced by one half where—

(a) the eligible student’s partner—

(i) is an eligible student; or

(ii) holds a statutory award; and

(b) account is taken of that partner’s dependants in calculating the amount of support for which that partner qualifies or the payment to which that partner is entitled under the statutory award.

(6) Where the amount of the parents’ learning allowance calculated under paragraph (1) is £0.01 or more but less than £50, the amount of parents’ learning allowance payable is £50.

[F13 (7) In this regulation—

A is the aggregate of—

(a) the residual income of the eligible student’s partner for the prior financial year;

(b) the residual income of the eligible student’s adult dependants for the prior financial year; and

(c) subject to paragraph (7B), (7C) or (7D), the net income of the eligible student’s dependent children for the prior financial year”.

Where the student begins the course before 1st September 2013, B is—

(a) £1,182 where the eligible student has no dependent child;

(b) £3,543 where the eligible student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(c) £4,721 where the eligible student—

(i) is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

(ii) is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(d) £5,910 where the eligible student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

Where the student begins the course on or after 1st September 2013, B is—

(a) £6,182 where the eligible student has no dependent child;

(b) £8,543 where the eligible student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(c) £9,721 where the eligible student—

(i) is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

(ii) is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(d) £10,910 where the eligible student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

(7A) For the purposes of paragraph (7), the current course is treated as beginning before 1st September 2013 in relation to a student “A” where A transfers to the current course pursuant to regulation 8 on or after 1st September 2013 from a designated course beginning before 1st September 2013.

(7B) Where the Department is satisfied that the net income of the eligible student’s dependent children in the financial year beginning immediately before the relevant year (“the current financial year”) is likely to be not more than 95 per cent of the sterling value of their net income in the prior financial year the Department may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the dependent children’s net income for the current financial year.

(7C) In the event that paragraph (7B) or this paragraph is applied in the previous academic year of the current course and the Department is satisfied that the net income of the eligible student’s dependent children in the financial year beginning immediately before the relevant year (“the current financial year”) is likely to be not more than 95 per cent of the sterling value of their net income in the previous financial year the Department may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the dependent children’s net income for the current financial year.

(7D) In an academic year immediately following one in which the Department has ascertained the eligible student’s dependent children’s net income for the current financial year under paragraph (7B) and, where applicable, under sub-paragraph (7C) the Department must ascertain the dependent children’s net income in the preceding financial year.]

(8) Paragraphs (9) to (12) apply where, in the course of the academic year, any of the following occurs—

(a) there is a change in the number of the eligible student’s dependants;

(b) a person becomes or ceases to be a dependant of the eligible student;

(c) the eligible student becomes or ceases to be a lone parent;

(d) a student becomes eligible for support as a result of an event referred to in regulation 18.

(9) For the purposes of determining the respective values of A and B and whether adult dependants’ grant or parents’ learning allowance is payable, the Department must determine the following in relation to each relevant quarter by reference to the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter—

(a) how many dependants the eligible student is to be treated as having;

(b) who those dependants are;

(c) whether the student is to be treated as a lone parent.

(10) The amount of grant for dependants for the academic year is the aggregate of the amounts of adult dependants’ grant and parents’ learning allowance calculated in respect of each relevant quarter under paragraph (11) and the amount of any childcare grant for the academic year.

(11) The amount of adult dependants’ grant and parents’ learning allowance in respect of a relevant quarter is one third of what that grant or allowance would be for the academic year if the student’s circumstances in the relevant quarter as determined under paragraph (9) applied for the duration of the academic year.

(12) In this regulation, a “relevant quarter” means—

(a) in the case of a person referred to in paragraph (8)(d), a quarter which begins after the relevant event occurs other than a quarter during which, in the opinion of the Department, the longest of any vacation occurs;

(b) otherwise, a quarter other than the one quarter during which, in the opinion of the Department, the longest of any vacation occurs.

(13) A deduction may be made in accordance with Part 8 from the amount payable in respect of a particular element of the grant for dependants calculated under this Part.

Textual Amendments

F13 Reg. 48(7), (7A)-(7D) substituted for reg. 48(7) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 10

Commencement Information

I12 Reg. 48 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 5 N.I. GRANTS FOR TRAVEL

Interpretation N.I.

49.  For the purposes of this Chapter—

(a) any reference to expenditure incurred for the purpose of attending an institution or period of study [F14 or period of overseas work placement in an Erasmus year] —

(i) includes expenditure both before and after so attending; and

(ii) does not include any expenditure in respect of which a grant is payable under Chapter 3 of this Part;

(b) “qualifying quarter” means a quarter during which the eligible student attends as part of the student’s course an overseas institution or the Institute [F15 or overseas workplace in an Erasmus year] for at least half the period covered by that quarter.

Textual Amendments

F14 Reg. 49(a) text amended (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 12

F15 Reg. 49(b) text amended (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 13

Commencement Information

I13 Reg. 49 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

General N.I.

50.  A grant for travel is available—

(a) to eligible students attending courses in medicine or dentistry in accordance with regulation 51;

(b) to eligible students attending an overseas institution or the Institute [F16 or overseas workplace in an Erasmus year] in accordance with regulation 53.

Textual Amendments

F16 Reg. 50(b) text amended (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 14

Commencement Information

I14 Reg. 50 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

[F17 50A.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a grant for travel is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a grant for travel in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(3) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the grant for travel only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.]

Textual Amendments

F17 Reg. 50A inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 11

Qualifying conditions for the grant for travel – courses in medicine and dentistry N.I.

51.  A grant is available to an eligible student attending a course in medicine or dentistry (a necessary part of which is a period of study by way of clinical training) in respect of the reasonable expenditure which the student is obliged to incur in an academic year for the purpose of attending in connection with the student’s course any hospital or other premises in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland (not comprised in the institution) at which facilities for clinical training are provided other than expenditure incurred for the purpose of residential study away from the institution.

Commencement Information

I15 Reg. 51 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the grant for travel – courses in medicine and dentistry N.I.

52.  The amount of grant payable under regulation 51 in respect of an academic year is equal to the reasonable expenditure that the Department determines the eligible student is obliged to incur for the purposes set out in that regulation less £309.

Commencement Information

I16 Reg. 52 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Qualifying conditions for the grant for travel – overseas study N.I.

53.  A grant is available to an eligible student in respect of the reasonable expenditure which the student is obliged to incur in each qualifying quarter within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending as part of the student’s course the overseas institution or the Institute [F18 or overseas workplace in an Erasmus year] .

Textual Amendments

F18 Reg. 53 text amended (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 15

Commencement Information

I17 Reg. 53 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the grant for travel – overseas study N.I.

54.  The amount of grant payable under regulation 53 in respect of an academic year is calculated as follows—

• where—

• X is the aggregate of the reasonable travel costs that the eligible student is obliged to incur in each qualifying quarter for the purposes set out in regulation 53.

• Y is the aggregate of the expenditure incurred in each qualifying quarter specified in regulation 55.

Commencement Information

I18 Reg. 54 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

55.  The expenditure specified in this regulation is—

(a) expenditure that the eligible student reasonably incurs in insuring against liability for the cost of medical treatment provided outside the United Kingdom for any illness or bodily injury contracted or suffered during the period the student is attending the overseas institution or the Institute;

(b) the cost of a visa or visas that the eligible student is obliged to obtain in order to attend the overseas institution or the Institute; and

(c) medical costs that the eligible student reasonably incurs in order to fulfil a mandatory condition of entry into the territory, country or state in which the overseas institution or the Institute is situated.

Commencement Information

I19 Reg. 55 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Deductions from the grant for travel N.I.

56.  A deduction may be made from any grant under this Chapter in accordance with Part 8.

Commencement Information

I20 Reg. 56 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 6 N.I. MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR CURRENT SYSTEM STUDENTS

Qualifying conditions for the maintenance grant N.I.

57.—(1) A current system student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a maintenance grant in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course.

(2) A current system student does not qualify for a maintenance grant if the student qualifies for a special support grant.

(3) If a current system student does not qualify for a fee loan [F19 or relevant institution charge loan] in respect of an academic year of the designated course, the student cannot qualify for a maintenance grant for that year unless the reason that the student does not qualify for a fee loan [F19 or relevant institution charge loan] is that—

(a) the year is an Erasmus year [F20 in accordance with regulation 20(3)]; or

(b) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

[F21 (4) Subject to paragraph (5), a maintenance grant is payable to a qualifying student in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a maintenance grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(6) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the maintenance grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.]

Textual Amendments

F19 Words in reg. 57(3) inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 10

F20 Words in reg. 57(3)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 6

F21 Reg. 57(4)-(6) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 12

Commencement Information

I21 Reg. 57 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the maintenance grant N.I.

58.—(1) The maximum amount of maintenance grant available in respect of an academic year is—

(a) in the case of a type 1 or type 3 teacher training student, £1,738;

(b) in the case of a type 2 teacher training student, £3,475; and

(c) in the case of a current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student, £3,475.

(2) A type 1 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019 the student receives an amount equal to

where

• M is £1,738

• A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £659.

(3) A type 2 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year —

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £3,475

• A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £1,318.

(4) A type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives, subject to sub-paragraph (c), an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £1,738

• A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019

• B is £1 for every complete £19.00 by which the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £41,065, no maintenance grant is payable.

(5) A current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a maintenance grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £3,475

• A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203;

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• RM is £1,318

• A is £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £29,019;

(d) where the household income exceeds £41,065, no maintenance grant is payable.

Commencement Information

I22 Reg. 58 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 7 N.I. SPECIAL SUPPORT GRANTS FOR CURRENT SYSTEM STUDENTS

Qualifying conditions for the special support grant N.I.

59.—(1) A current system student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a special support grant in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course to defray the costs of books, equipment, travel or childcare incurred for the purpose of attending that course.

(2) A current system student qualifies for a special support grant if the student—

(a) falls within a prescribed category of person for the purposes of section 123(1)(e) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act (Northern Ireland) 1992(14); or

(b) is treated as being liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling prescribed by regulations made under section 129(2) of that Act(15).

(3) If a current system student does not qualify for a fee loan [F22 or relevant institution charge loan] in respect of an academic year of the designated course, the student cannot qualify for a special support grant for that year unless the reason that the student does not qualify for a fee loan [F22 or relevant institution charge loan] is that—

(a) the year is an Erasmus year [F23 in accordance with regulation 20(3)]; or

(b) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

[F24 (4) Subject to [F25 paragraph] (5), a special support grant is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a special support grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(6) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the special support grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.]

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in reg. 59(3) inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 11

F23 Words in reg. 59(3)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 7(a)

F24 Reg. 59(4)-(6) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/398), regs. 1(1), 13

F25 Word in reg. 59(4) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 7(b)

Commencement Information

I23 Reg. 59 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the special support grant N.I.

60.—(1) The maximum amount of special support grant available in respect of an academic year is—

(a) in the case of a type 1 or type 3 teacher training student, £1,738;

(b) in the case of a type 2 teacher training student, £3,475;

(c) in the case of a current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student, £3,475.

(2) A type 1 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £1,738

• A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £659.

(3) A type 2 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £3,475

• A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £1,318.

(4) A type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives, subject to sub-paragraph (c), an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £1,738

• A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019

• B is £1 for every complete £19.00 by which the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065; and

(c) where the household income exceeds £41,065, no special support grant is payable.

(5) A current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

(a) where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

(b) where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• M is £3,475

• A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203;

(c) where the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to where—

• RM is £1,318

• A is £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £29,019; and

(d) where the household income exceeds £41,065, no special support grant is payable.

Commencement Information

I24 Reg. 60 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 8 N.I. HIGHER EDUCATION BURSARIES FOR OLD SYSTEM STUDENTS

Qualifying conditions and amounts of the higher education bursary N.I.

61.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an old system student who qualifies for a grant for fees under [F26 Chapter 4] of Part 4 and who is under the age of 60 on the relevant date qualifies for a higher education bursary in accordance with his attendance on a designated course.

(2) If an old system student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of the designated course, he cannot qualify for a higher education bursary for that year unless the reason that he does not qualify for a grant for fees is because—

(a) the year is an Erasmus year; or

(b) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(3) The amount of bursary payable in respect of any academic year shall be determined by reference to the household income ascertained under paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 in accordance with the following table—

Residual Income (£)	Bursary (£)
Up to 11,805	2,000
11,806 to 12,000	1,965
12,001 to 13,000	1,795
13,001 to 14,000	1,630
14,001 to 15,000	1,460
15,001 to 16,000	1,290
16,001 to 17,000	1,120
17,001 to 18,000	960
18,001 to 19,000	815
19,001 to 20,000	675
20,001 to 21,000	535
21,001 to 22,000	390
22,001 to 23,000	250
23,001 to 23,605	165
Over 23,605	Nil

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in reg. 61(1) substituted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 12

Commencement Information

I25 Reg. 61 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

(1)

2009 c.1 (N.I.)

(2)

S.I. 1991/194 (N.I. 1); Article 10 was amended by the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/429 (N.I. 2)) Article 3(8); Health and Social Services trusts were renamed under section 32 and Schedule 6 paragraph 1(1)(c) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009.

(3)

S.I. 1990 No. 247 (N.I. 3)

(4)

2006 c.41

(5)

1978 c. 29

(6)

1992 c. 7

(7)

S.I. 1987/2203 (N.I. 22); Article 59A was inserted by paragraph 164 of Schedule 9 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755) (N.I.2)

(8)

Section 77 was amended by Schedule 6 to the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), paragraph 88 of Schedule 24 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33) and paragraph 30 of Schedule 1 to the Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6)

(9)

S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2)

(10)

2002 c. 21; section 3 was amended by the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c.33), Schedule 24 and there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations

(11)

S.I. 1996/274 (N.I. 1)

(12)

2002 c. 21 to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations

(13)

Regulation 14 of the Working Tax Credit (Entitlement and Maximum Amount) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2005; as amended by S.I. 2003/701, S.I. 2003/2815, S.I. 2004/762, S.I. 2004/1276, S.I. 2004/2663, S.I. 2005/681, S.I. 2005/769, S.I. 2005/2919, S.I. 2006/217, S.I. 2006/766, S.I. 2006/963, S.I. 2007/824, S.I. 2007/968, S.I. 2007/2479, S.I. 2008/604, S.I. 2008/1879, S.I.2008/2169, S.I. 2009/679 and S.I. 2009/800) sets out the charges that are prescribed for the purposes of section 12 of the Tax Credits Act 2002

(14)

1992 c. 7; section 123(1)(e) was inserted by paragraph 13(5) of Schedule 2 to the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/2705 (N.I. 15)) and amended by Schedule 3 to, the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (c. 14N.I.)); The relevant provisions is regulation 4ZA and Schedule 1B, as amended, of the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 (S.R. 1987 No. 459). Regulation 4ZA was inserted by regulation 4 of S.R. 1996 No. 199 ; relevant amending Rules are the Schedule to S.R. 2000 No. 241, regulation 5(3) of S.R. 2000 No. 71 and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to S.R. 2005 No. 319 (c.23)

(15)

Section 129(2) was amended by Article 8 (2) of the Housing Support Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, S.I. 2002/3154 (N.I. 8). The relevant regulation is regulation 53 of the Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006 No. 405)