Amendment to the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20164

In paragraph 11 (additional room) of Schedule 4 (housing costs element for renters) to the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201627—

a

before sub-paragraph (1) insert—

A1

A renter is entitled to an additional bedroom if one or more of the following persons satisfies the overnight care condition (see sub-paragraph (3))—

a

the renter;

b

a person in the renter’s extended benefit unit;

c

a child in respect of whom the renter satisfies the foster parent condition (see sub-paragraphs (4) and (5)).

b

in sub-paragraph (1)—

i

omit paragraph (a);

ii

in paragraph (b) omit “(see sub-paragraphs (4) and (5))”;

iii

at the end of paragraph (b), omit “or”

iv

at the end of paragraph (c), insert “or”;

v

after paragraph (c) insert—

d

the disabled person condition (see sub-paragraph (6A)).

c

for sub-paragraph (2) substitute—

2

Sub-paragraphs (A1) and (1) apply subject to sub-paragraphs (8) and (9).

d

in sub-paragraph (3)—

i

for “A renter satisfies” substitute “A person satisfies”;

ii

in paragraph (b) for “care for the renter” substitute “care for the person”;

e

after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

6A

A renter satisfies the disabled person condition if they would (but for the provisions of this paragraph) be expected to share a bedroom with a joint renter and—

a

the renter is in receipt of—

i

the care component of disability living allowance at the middle or highest rate;

ii

attendance allowance at the higher rate;

iii

the daily living component of personal independence payment; and

b

the renter is, by virtue of their disability, not reasonably able to share a bedroom with the joint renter.

f

omit sub-paragraph (7);

g

for sub-paragraph (9) substitute—

9

The renter is, or joint renters are, entitled to one additional bedroom for each of the following that apply—

a

one or more persons satisfy the overnight care condition;

b

the renter, or one or both of joint renters, satisfies the foster parent condition;

c

the renter, or one or both of joint renters, satisfies the disabled child condition; or

d

the renter, or one or both of joint renters, satisfies the disabled person condition.