9.—(1) The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016(1) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 8A(2) (arrears of benefit disregarded as capital)—
(a)in paragraph (1)—
(i)after “of benefit” in both places, insert “or armed forces independence payment”;
(ii)in sub-paragraph (d) after “to benefit” insert “or armed forces independence payment”;
(b)after paragraph (2) add—
“(3) “Armed forces independence payment” means armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011.”.
(3) After regulation 8A insert—
8B.—(1) This regulation applies in relation to the calculation of an award of universal credit where—
(a)the conditions set out in regulation 8A(1)(a) to (d) are met; and
(b)the claimant has received a payment of arrears of maternity allowance, or a payment made to compensate for arrears due to the non-payment of maternity allowance, of under £5,000.
(2) Where this regulation applies, notwithstanding anything in the Universal Credit Regulations, the payment is to be disregarded from the calculation of the claimant’s capital for 12 months from the date of receipt of the payment.
(3) “Maternity allowance” means a maternity allowance under section 35 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (state maternity allowance for employed or self-employed earner).”.
S.R. 2016 No. 226, amended by S.R. 2018 No. 187.
Regulation 8A was inserted by regulation 4(3) of S.R. 2018 No. 187.