Social Security Act 1973

1 (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, and to section 23(6) of this Act, it shall be a condition of any person's right to any benefit that he makes a claim therefor in the prescribed manner, except that in such cases as may be prescribed the following benefits may be paid without a claim—

(a) a Category A or Category B retirement pension to a woman over the age of 65 on her ceasing to be entitled to widow's benefit;

(b) a Category C or Category D retirement pension ;

(c) age addition.

(2) Regulations may make provision—

(a) for permitting, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, a claim for sickness benefit or invalidity benefit or injury benefit under the Industrial Injuries Act to be made, or to be treated as if made, for a period falling partly after the date of the claim ;

(b) for permitting an award on any such claim to be made for a period after the date of the claim of not more than 13 weeks (or such shorter period as the Secretary of State may in any case direct) subject to the condition that the claimant continues during that period to satisfy the requirements for the benefit in question ;

(c) for the review of any such award if those requirements are found not to have been satisfied at some time during the period of the award ;

(d) for the disallowance of a person's claim for unemployment benefit, sickness benefit or invalidity benefit on any grounds to be treated as a disallowance of any further claim by that person for that benefit until the grounds of the original disallowance have ceased to exist.

(3) Regulations under this Act or the Industrial Injuries Acts may make provision as to the circumstances in which any benefit (under Part I of this Act or under those Acts) which is payable to one person may be paid to another on his behalf.

(4) Any claim for benefit under this Act may be treated—

(a) for the purposes of this paragraph as a claim, in the alternative, for such other benefit thereunder as may be prescribed ; or

(b) for the purposes of the Industrial Injuries Acts as a claim, in the alternative, for such benefit under those Acts as may be prescribed; or

(c) for the purposes of the Family Allowances Act (in any prescribed cases) as a claim, in the alternative, for a payment under that Act;

and any claim for benefit under the [1966 c. 20.] Industrial Injuries Acts, or the Supplementary Benefit Act 1966, or a payment under the Family Allowances Act, may be treated for the purposes of this paragraph as a claim, in the alternative, for such benefit under this Act as may be prescribed.

(5) For the purposes of this Act any claim or notice made or sent by post shall be deemed to have been made or given on the day on which it was posted.