The Social Security (Fines) (Deductions from Benefits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018

Circumstances, time of making and termination of deductions

4.—(1) The Department may make deductions from under regulation 3(1) or (2) only if—

(a) the debtor is entitled to income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance throughout any benefit week; and

(b) no deductions are being made in respect of the debtor under any other application.

(2) The Department shall make deductions from income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance by reference to the times at which payment of income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance is made to the debtor(1).

(3) The Department shall cease making deductions from income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance if—

(a) there is no longer sufficient entitlement to income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance to enable it to make the deduction;

(b) entitlement to income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance ceases;

(c) a collection officer withdraws the application for deductions to be made; or

(d) the liability to make payment of the outstanding amount has ceased.

(4) Payments of sums deducted from income support, state pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance under these Regulations shall be made to the court at intervals of 13 weeks.

(5) The Department shall notify the debtor in writing of the total of sums deducted under any application—

(a) on receipt of a written request for such information from the debtor; or

(b) on the termination of deductions made under any such application.

(1)

See Schedule 7 to S.R. 1987 No. 465