Amendment of the Universal Credit Regulations8
1
The Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 201623 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
2
In regulation 2 (interpretation), after the definition of “LCWRA element” 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—
- i
arising out of an exceptional event, or exceptional circumstances; and
- 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—
- i
in prison, hospital, a residential care establishment or other institution; or
- ii
homeless or otherwise living an unsettled way of life;
3
In Schedule 10 (capital to be disregarded), after paragraph 1824, insert—
18A
A payment received within the past 12 months by way of local welfare provision including arrears and payments in lieu of local welfare provision.