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Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

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Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, Part IV is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Part IVN.I. Increases for dependants

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Child dependantsN.I.

F1F280 Beneficiary’s dependent children.N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F381 Restrictions on increase - child not living with beneficiary, etc.N.I.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adult dependantsN.I.

82 Short-term benefit: increase for adult dependants.N.I.

(1)Subject to section 61 above and section 87 below, the weekly rate of unemployment benefit F4. . .it shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to the [F5that benefit] in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3), for any period during which—

(a)the beneficiary is—

(i)residing with his wife, or

(ii)contributing to the maintenance of his wife at a weekly rate not less than that amount; and

(b)his wife does not have weekly earnings which exceed that amount.

[F6(2)Subject, in particular, to subsection (5) and section 87 below, the weekly rate of a maternity allowance shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to that benefit in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3) (“the amount of the relevant increase”) for any period to which this subsection applies by virtue of subsection (3) or (4) below.]

(3)Subsection (2) above applies by virtue of this subsection to any period during which—

(a)the beneficiary’s husband [F7or civil partner] does not have weekly earnings which exceed the amount of the relevant increase, and

(b)either she and her husband [F8or civil partner] are residing together or she is contributing to [F9her husband’s or civil partner's] maintenance at a weekly rate not less than that amount.

(4)Subsection (2) above applies by virtue of this subsection to any period during which a person—

(a)who is neither the spouse [F10or civil partner] of the beneficiary nor a child [F11or qualifying young person], and

(b)in respect of whom such further conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled,

has the care of [F12one or more children or qualifying young persons] in respect of whom the beneficiary is entitled to child benefit.

(5)A beneficiary shall not under subsection (2) above be entitled for the same period to an increase of benefit in respect of more than one person.

X183 Pension increase (wife).N.I.

(1)This section applies to—

(a)a Category A or Category C retirement pension;

F13(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Subject to subsection (3) below, the weekly rate of a pension to which this section applies, when payable to a man, shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to the pension in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3)—

(a)for any period during which the pensioner is residing with his wife; or

(b)for any period during which the pensioner is contributing to the maintenance of his wife at a weekly rate not less than that amount, and his wife does not have weekly earnings which exceed that amount.

(3)Regulations may provide that for any period during which the pensioner is residing with his wife and his wife has earnings—

(a)the increase of benefit under this section shall be subject to a reduction in respect of the wife’s earnings; or

(b)there shall be no increase of benefit under this section.

Editorial Information

X1Ss. 83 and 84 are replaced by s. 83A (6.4.2010) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 2

Textual Amendments

X284 Pension increase (husband).N.I.

(1)Where a Category A retirement pension is payable to a woman for any period—

[F14(a)which began immediately on the termination of a period for which the pensioner was entitled to an increase in incapacity benefit by virtue of any provision of regulations under section 86A below prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, and]

(b)during which the requirements of either paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) below are satisfied (without interruption),

then, the weekly rate of the pensioner’s Category A retirement pension shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to that pension in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3) (“the specified amount”).

(2)The requirements referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are—

(a)that the pensioner is residing with her husband;

(b)that the pensioner is contributing to the maintenance of her husband at a weekly rate not less than the specified amount, and her husband does not have weekly earnings which exceed that amount.

(3)Regulations may provide that for any period during which the pensioner is residing with her husband and her husband has earnings—

(a)the increase of benefit under this section shall be subject to a reduction in respect of the husband’s earnings; or

(b)there shall be no increase of benefit under this section.

Editorial Information

X2Ss. 83 and 84 are replaced by s. 83A (6.10.2010) by virtue of S.I. 1995/3213 (N.I. 22), art. 123, Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 2

Textual Amendments

85 Pension increase (person with care of children [F15or qualifying young persons]).N.I.

F16(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F17(1A)Subject to subsections (2A) and (4) below, the weekly rate of a Category A retirement pension shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to that pension in Schedule 4, Part 4, column (3) for any period during which a person who is neither the spouse or civil partner of the pensioner nor a child has the care of a child or children in respect of whom the pensioner is entitled to child benefit.]

(2)Subject to [F18subsections (3) and (4) below], the weekly rate of a [F19Category C retirement pension payable by virtue of section 78(1) above] shall be increased by the amount specified in relation to that pension in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3) for any period during which a person who is neither the spouse of the pensioner nor a child [F20or qualifying young person] has the care of [F21one or more children or qualifying young persons] in respect of whom the pensioner is entitled to child benefit.

[F22(2A)Subsection (1A) above does not apply if the pensioner is a person whose spouse or civil partner is entitled to a Category B retirement pension, or to a Category C retirement pension by virtue of section 78(2) above or in such other cases as may be prescribed.]

(3)Subsection (2) above does not apply if the pensioner is a [F23person whose spouse] is entitled to a Category B retirement pension, or to a Category C retirement pension by virtue of section 78(2) above or in such other cases as may be prescribed.

(4)Regulations may, in a case within subsection [F24(1A) or] (2) above in which the person there referred to is residing with the pensioner and fulfils such further conditions as may be prescribed, authorise an increase of benefit under this section, but subject, taking account of the earnings of the person residing with the pensioner, other than such of that person’s earnings as may be prescribed, to provisions comparable to those that may be made by virtue of section 83(3) above.

F2586. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

[F2686A Incapacity benefit: increase for adult dependants.N.I.

(1)The weekly rates of short-term and long-term incapacity benefit shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be increased for adult dependants by the appropriate amount specified in relation to benefit of that description in Schedule 4, Part IV, column (3).

(2)Regulations may provide that where the person in respect of whom an increase of benefit is claimed has earnings in excess of such amount as may be prescribed there shall be no increase of benefit under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F26S. 86A inserted (21.11.1994 for the purpose of making regulations and 13.4.1995 otherwise) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 4(4) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

87 Rate of increase where associated retirement pension is attributable to reduced contributions.N.I.

(1)Where a person—

[F27(a)is entitled to short-term incapacity benefit under section 30A(2)(b) above; and]

(b)would have been entitled only by virtue of section 60(1) above to the retirement pension by reference to which the rate of that benefit F28. . . is determined,

[F29the amount of any increase of the benefit attributable to sections 82 to 86A above shall be determined in accordance with regulations under this section.]

(2)The regulations shall not provide for any such increase in a case where the retirement pension by reference to which the rate of the said benefit F28. . . is determined—

(a)would have been payable only by virtue of section 60 above; and

(b)would, in consequence of a failure to satisfy a contribution condition, have contained no basic pension.

Textual Amendments

F29Words following s. 87(1)(b) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 24(3) (with art. 15(1)); S.R. 1994/450, art. 2, Sch. Pt. IV

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 87 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1994/485, regs. 1, 13

[F3088 Increases to be in respect of only one adult dependant.N.I.

A person shall not under or by virtue of sections 83 to 86A above be entitled for the same period to an increase of benefit in respect of more than one person.]

MiscellaneousN.I.

89 Earnings to include occupational and personal pensions [F31etc.] for purposes of provisions relating to increases of benefits in respect of F32... adult dependants.N.I.

(1)Except as may be prescribed, in F33... [F34sections 82 to 86A above, and in regulations under section 86A above,] any reference to earnings includes a reference to payments by way of occupational or personal pension.

[F35(1A)Except as may be prescribed, in sections 82 to 86A above, and in regulations under section 86A above, any reference to earnings includes a reference to payments by way of PPF periodic payments.]

(2)For the purposes of the provisions mentioned in [F36subsections (1) and (1A) above], the Department may by regulations provide, in relation to cases where payments by way of occupational or personal pension [F37or PPF periodic payments] are made otherwise than weekly, that any necessary apportionment of the payments shall be made in such manner and on such basis as may be prescribed.

[F38(3)In this section “PPF periodic payments” means—

(a)any periodic compensation payments made in relation to a person, payable under the pension compensation provisions as specified in Article 146(2) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 162(2) of the Pensions Act 2004 (the pension compensation provisions); or

(b)any periodic payments made in relation to a person, payable under Article 150 of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 or section 166 of the Pensions Act 2004 (duty to pay scheme benefits unpaid at assessment date etc.),

other than payments made to a surviving dependant of a person entitled to such compensation.]

Textual Amendments

F32Words in s. 89 heading repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F33Words in s. 89(1) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 89 modified (13.4.1995) by S.R. 1994/485, regs. 1, 11

90 Beneficiaries under sections 68 and 70.N.I.

The weekly [F39rate]

(b)of [F40a carer’s allowance] ,

shall, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, be increased for F41... adult dependants by the appropriate amount specified in relation to [F42the allowance] in Schedule 4, Part IV.

Textual Amendments

F39Word in s. 90 substituted for words and para. (a) (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 25(a); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(f)(4)(5)

F40Words in s. 90 substituted (21.10.2002 for certain purposes and 1.4.2003 otherwise) by The Deregulation (Carer's Allowance) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002/321), arts. 1, 2(2)(a)(iv)

F41Words in s. 90 repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

F42Words in s. 90 substituted (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 67, Sch. 8 para. 25(b); S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(f)(4)(5)

91 Effect of trade disputes on entitlement to increases.N.I.

(1)A beneficiary shall not be entitled—

(a)to an increase in any benefit [F43under or by virtue of sections 82 to 88 above]; or

(b)to an increase in benefit F44... by virtue of regulations under section 90 above,

if the person in respect of whom he would be entitled to the increase falls within subsection (2) below.

[F45(2)A person falls within the subsection if—

(a)he is prevented for being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance by Article 16 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (trade disputes); or

(b)he would be so prevented if he were otherwise entitled to that benefit.]

Textual Amendments

F43Words in s. 91(1)(a) substituted (13.4.1995) by S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12), art. 13(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 27 (with art. 15(1))

F44Words in s. 91(1)(b) repealed (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (with savings in S.R. 2003/212, art. 2)

92 Dependency increases: continuation of awards in cases of fluctuating earnings.N.I.

(1)Where a beneficiary—

(a)has been awarded an increase of benefit under this Part of this Act, but

(b)ceases to be entitled to the increase by reason only that the weekly earnings of some other person (“the relevant earner”) exceed the amount of the increase or, as the case may be, some specified amount,

then, if and so long as the beneficiary would have continued to be entitled to the increase, disregarding any such excess of earnings, the award shall continue in force but the increase shall not be payable for any week if the earnings relevant to that week exceed the amount of the increase or, as the case may be, the specified amount.

(2)In this section the earnings which are relevant to any week are those earnings of the relevant earner which, apart from this section, would be taken into account in determining whether the beneficiary is entitled to the increase in question for that week.

93 Dependency increases on termination of employment after period of entitlement to disability working allowance.N.I.

Where—

[F46(a)a person becomes entitled—

(i)to the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit, or to long-term incapacity benefit, by virtue of section 30C(5) or (6) or section 42 above;. . .

F47(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(b)when he was last entitled to that [F48benefit]. . ., it was increased in respect of a dependant by virtue of—

(i)regulation 8(6) of the M1Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1977;

(ii)regulation 3 of the M2Social Security Benefit (Dependency) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984;

(iii)regulation 2 of the M3Social Security (Savings for Existing Beneficiaries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984; or

(iv)regulation 4 of the M4Social Security Benefit (Dependency and Computation of Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989,

for the purpose of determining whether his [F48benefit]. . . should be increased by virtue of that regulation for any period beginning with the day on which he again becomes entitled to his [F48benefit]. . ., the increase in respect of that dependant shall be treated as having been payable to him on each day between the last day on which his [F48benefit]. . . was previously payable and the day on which he again becomes entitled to it.

Textual Amendments

F47S. 93(a)(ii) and word “or”preceding it repealed (3.11.2000 for specified purposes and 6.4.2001 otherwise) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 76, Sch. 10 Pt. IV; S.R. 2000/332, art. 2(3)(g)(4)(5)

Marginal Citations

M1S.R. (N.I.) 1977 No. 74.

M2S.R. (N.I.) 1984 No. 373.

M3S.R. (N.I.) 1984 No. 381.

M4S.R. (N.I.) 1989 No. 381.

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