PART 1N.I.INTRODUCTION
Citation, commencement and effectN.I.
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and, subject to paragraph (2), shall come into operation for the purposes of—
(a)this Article and Articles 2 and 6 on 1st April 2012;
(b)Article 3—
(i)in so far as it relates to any increase to which Article 6(10)(b) applies, on 1st April 2012, and
(ii)for all other purposes, on 9th April 2012;
(c)Articles 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 and 16 on 9th April 2012;
(d)Article 8, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 1st April 2012 and, for the purpose of this sub-paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Computation of Earnings Regulations;
(e)Article 9 on 6th April 2012;
(f)Article 10 on 1st April 2012, except for the purpose of determining the rate of maternity allowance in accordance with section 35A(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act(1) for which purpose it shall come into operation on 9th April 2012;
(g)Article 11 on 1st April 2012;
(h)Articles 14, 15 and 27 on 12th April 2012;
(i)Articles 17 to 19, in so far as they relate to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 9th April 2012 and, for the purpose of this sub-paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Income Support Regulations;
(j)Articles 20 and 21, in relation to a case where rent is payable at intervals of a week or any multiple thereof, on 2nd April 2012, and in relation to any other case, on 1st April 2012;
(k)Articles 22 to 24, in so far as they relate to a particular beneficiary—
(i)for the purposes of Article 22(c), in so far as it relates to an increase to which Article 6(10)(b) applies, on 1st April 2012, and
(ii)for all other purposes, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 9th April 2012, and for the purposes of this head “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations;
(l)Article 25, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 9th April 2012 and, for the purpose of this sub-paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the State Pension Credit Regulations; and
(m)Article 26, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 9th April 2012 and, for the purpose of this sub-paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations.
(2) The changes made—
(a)in the sums specified for rates or amounts of benefit under the Contributions and Benefits Act or the Pension Schemes Act; and
(b)by Article 22(c), in so far as it is relevant for the purposes referred to in Article 6(10),
shall take effect for each case on the date specified in relation to that case in Article 6.
Commencement Information
I1Art. 1 in operation at 1.4.2012, see art. 1(1)(a)
InterpretationN.I.
2.—(1) In this Order—
“the Administration Act” means the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;
“the Contributions and Benefits Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992(2);
“the Pension Schemes Act” means the Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993(3);
“the Computation of Earnings Regulations” means the Social Security Benefit (Computation of Earnings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(4);
“the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations” means the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008(5);
“the Housing Benefit Regulations” means the Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006(6);
“the Housing Benefit (SPC) Regulations” means the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for State Pension Credit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006(7);
“the Income Support Regulations” means the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987(8);
“the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations” means the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(9);
“the State Pension Credit Regulations” means the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003(10).
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(11) shall apply to this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
(3) For the purposes of this Order and notwithstanding section 39(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954, where a period of time is expressed to begin on, or to be reckoned from, a particular day, that day shall be included in the period.
Commencement Information
I2Art. 2 in operation at 1.4.2012, see art. 1(1)(a)
PART 2N.I.SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PENSIONS
Rates or amounts of certain benefits under the Contributions and Benefits ActN.I.
F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Rates or amounts of certain pensions or allowances under the Contributions and Benefits ActN.I.
F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Rates or amounts of certain benefits under the Pension Schemes ActN.I.
F15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Dates on which sums specified for rates or amounts of benefit under the Contributions and Benefits Act or the Pension Schemes Act are changed by this OrderN.I.
F16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Workmen’s compensationN.I.
F17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Earnings limitsN.I.
F18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Statutory sick payN.I.
F19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Statutory maternity payN.I.
F110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Ordinary and additional statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption payN.I.
F111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Graduated retirement benefitN.I.
F112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Disability living allowanceN.I.
F113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Age addition to long-term incapacity benefitN.I.
F114. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Transitional invalidity allowance in long-term incapacity benefit casesN.I.
F115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Bereavement benefitsN.I.
F116. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
PART 3N.I.INCOME SUPPORT AND HOUSING BENEFIT
Applicable amounts for income supportN.I.
F117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Income support transitional protectionN.I.
F118. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Relevant sum for income supportN.I.
F119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Housing benefitN.I.
20.—(1) The sums relevant to the calculation of an applicable amount as specified in the Housing Benefit Regulations shall be the sums set out in this Article and Schedules 5 and 6 to this Order; and for this purpose a reference in this Article to a numbered regulation or Schedule is a reference to the regulation of, or Schedule to, the Housing Benefit Regulations bearing that number.
(2) In regulation 24(3) (calculation of income on a weekly basis) the sums of £175∙00 and £300∙00 remain the same.
(3) In regulation 72(12) (non-dependant deductions)—
(a)in paragraph (1) for “£60∙60”, “£8∙60”, “£9∙40” and “£2∙85” substitute “£73∙85”, “£9∙90”, “£11∙45” and “£3∙30”, respectively; and
(b)in paragraph (2)—
F2(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii)in sub-paragraph (b) for “£122∙00”, “£180∙00” and “£21∙55” substitute “£124∙00”, “£183∙00” and “£26∙25” respectively,
(iii)in sub-paragraph (c) for “£180∙00”, “£234∙00” and “£29∙60” substitute “£183∙00”, “£238∙00” and “£36∙10” respectively,
(iv)in sub-paragraph (d) for “£234∙00”, “£310∙00” and “£48∙45” substitute “£238∙00”, “£316∙00” and “£59∙05” respectively,
F2(v). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(vi)in sub-paragraph (f) for “£180∙00” substitute “£183∙00”,
(vii)in sub-paragraph (g) for “£180∙00”, “£310∙00” and “£5∙70” substitute “£183∙00”, “£316∙00” and “£6∙55” respectively, and
(viii)in sub-paragraph (h) for “£310∙00”, “£387∙00” and “£7∙20” substitute “£316∙00”, “£394∙00” and “£8∙25” respectively.
F3(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F2Art. 20(3)(b)(i)(v) revoked (11.4.2013) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (revoked) 2013 (S.R. 2013/69), arts. 1(1)(h), 26
F3Art. 20(4)-(10) revoked (11.4.2013) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (revoked) 2013 (S.R. 2013/69), arts. 1(1)(h), 26
Commencement Information
I3Art. 20 in operation at 1.4.2012 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(1)(j)
I4Art. 20 in operation at 2.4.2012 for specified purposes, see art. 1(1)(j)
Housing benefit for certain persons over the qualifying age for state pension creditN.I.
21.—(1) The sums relevant to the calculation of an applicable amount as specified in the Housing Benefit (SPC) Regulations shall be the sums set out in this Article and Schedules 7 and 8 to this Order; and for this purpose a reference in this Article to a numbered regulation or Schedule is a reference to the regulation of, or Schedule to, the Housing Benefit (SPC) Regulations bearing that number.
F4(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) In regulation 53(13) (non-dependant deductions)—
(a)in paragraph (1) for “£60∙60”, “£8∙60”, “£9∙40” and “£2∙85” substitute “£73∙85”, “£9∙90”, “£11∙45” and “£3∙30” respectively; and
(b)in paragraph (2)—
F5(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(iii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(iv). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(v). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(vi)in sub-paragraph (f) for “£180∙00” substitute “£183∙00”,
(vii)in sub-paragraph (g) for “£180∙00”, “£310∙00” and “£5∙70” substitute “£183∙00”, “£316∙00” and “£6∙55” respectively, and
(viii)in sub-paragraph (h) for “£310∙00”, “£387∙00” and “£7∙20” substitute “£316∙00”, “£394∙00” and “£8∙25” respectively.
F6(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F4Art. 21(2) revoked (11.4.2013) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (revoked) 2013 (S.R. 2013/69), arts. 1(1)(h), 26
F5Art. 21(3)(b)(i)-(v) revoked (11.4.2013) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (revoked) 2013 (S.R. 2013/69), arts. 1(1)(h), 26
F6Art. 21(4)-(9) revoked (11.4.2013) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (revoked) 2013 (S.R. 2013/69), arts. 1(1)(h), 26
Commencement Information
I5Art. 21 in operation at 1.4.2012 in so far as not already in force, see art. 1(1)(j)
I6Art. 21 in operation at 2.4.2012 for specified purposes, see art. 1(1)(j)
PART 4N.I.JOBSEEKER’S ALLOWANCE
Age-related amounts of contribution-based jobseeker’s allowanceN.I.
F722. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Applicable amounts for jobseeker’s allowanceN.I.
F723. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Prescribed sum for jobseeker’s allowanceN.I.
F724. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
PART 5N.I.STATE PENSION CREDIT
State pension creditN.I.
F725. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
PART 6N.I.EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
Applicable amounts for employment and support allowanceN.I.
F726. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
PART 7N.I.REVOCATION
RevocationN.I.
F727. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 14th March 2012
(L.S.)
Anne McCleary
A senior officer of the Department for Social Development