In regulation 2(1) (interpretation) after the definition of “local housing allowance”19 insert—

““local welfare provision” means occasional financial or other assistance given by a Northern Ireland Department, or a person authorised to exercise any function of, or provide a service to, it, to or in respect of individuals for the purpose of—

(a)

meeting, or helping to meet, an immediate short term need—

1. (i)

   arising out of an exceptional event, or exceptional circumstances; and

2. (ii)

   that requires to be met in order to avoid a risk to the well-being of an individual; or

(b)

enabling individuals to establish or maintain a settled home, where those individuals have been or, without the assistance, might otherwise be—

1. (i)

   in prison, hospital, a residential care establishment or other institution; or

2. (ii)

   homeless or otherwise living an unsettled way of life;”.”

In Schedule 6 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings) after paragraph 32 insert—

“32A.

Any local welfare provision.”.

In Schedule 7 (capital to be disregarded) after paragraph 21 insert—

“21A.

Any local welfare provision.”.