PART 1General

Interpretation2

1

In these Regulations—

  • “the 2007 Act” means the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Act 20074;

  • “the 2015 Order” means the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015;

  • “the Claims and Payments Regulations” means the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 19875;

  • “couple”—

    1. a

      where these Regulations apply in relation to universal credit, has the same meaning as in Article 45 of the 2015 Order;

    2. b

      where these Regulations apply in relation to the benefits specified in regulation 3(1)(b) to (f), has the same meaning as in section 133(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act6;

  • “the Jobseekers Order” means the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 19957;

  • “partner” means, where the person being referred to is a member of a couple, the other member of the couple;

  • “the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations” means the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20168;

  • “universal credit” means the benefit under Part 2 of the 2015 Order;

  • “the Universal Credit Regulations” means the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20169.

2

Where these Regulations apply in relation to universal credit “child” and “qualifying young person” have the same meaning as in Article 46 of the 2015 Order and whether or not a person is responsible for a child or qualifying young person is to be determined in accordance with regulation 4 of the Universal Credit Regulations.

3

In these Regulations “writing” includes writing produced by means of electronic communications and where such communications are used by the Department—

a

Schedule 8D to the Claims and Payments Regulations10; or

b

Schedule 1 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations,

as the case may be, has effect in connection with notices required to be given or sent under regulations 8 and 17 as it has effect in connection with claims for, and awards of, any benefit to which those Regulations apply.

4

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 195411 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.