Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations
2.—(1) The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 are amended in accordance with paragraph 2.
(2) In paragraph 6 (Fuel Costs) of Schedule 8A (deductions from benefits and direct payments to third parties)—
(a)In sub-paragraph (1), for “paragraph (8)” substitute “paragraphs (3A) and (8)”.
(b)In sub-paragraph (2)(b), for “equal to” substitute “not more than”.
(c)After sub-paragraph (2), insert—
“(3A) The Department may only include an amount under sub-paragraph (2)(b) in the amount deductible if—
(a)an application for a determination under sub-paragraph (1) or (4)(a) is made by the person or body to whom payment is due; and
(b)except where the application is for a reduction in the amount deductible, the beneficiary consents to the application.”.