The Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Interpretation N.I.

4.—(1) In this Part—

“relevant carer” means—

(a)

a parent of a child who is not the responsible carer, but has caring responsibilities for the child; or

(b)

a person who has caring responsibilities for a person who has a physical or mental impairment which makes those caring responsibilities necessary;

“responsible carer”, in relation to a child, means—

(a)

a person who is who is the only person responsible for the child; or

(b)

a person who is a member of a couple where-

(i)

both members of the couple are responsible for the child; and

(ii)

the person has been nominated by the couple jointly as responsible for the child;

“responsible foster parent”, in relation to a child, means—

(a)

a person who is the only foster parent in relation to the child; or

(b)

a person who is a member of a couple where—

(i)

both members of the couple are foster parents in relation to the child; and

(ii)

the person has been nominated by the couple jointly as the responsible foster parent;

“voluntary work preparation” means particular action taken by a claimant and agreed by the Department for the purpose of making it more likely that the claimant will obtain paid work, but which is not specified by the Department as a work preparation requirement under Article 8C of the Order.

(2) The nomination of a responsible carer or responsible foster parent for the purposes of paragraph (1) may be changed—

(a) once in a 12 month period, beginning with the date of the previous nomination; or

(b) on any occasion where the Department considers that there has been a change of circumstances which is relevant to the nomination.

(3) Only one person may be nominated as a responsible carer or a responsible foster parent.

(4) The nomination applies to all of the children for whom the claimant is responsible.