Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997

20 Return of social security post

(1) After section 182 of the [1992 c. 5.] Social Security Administration Act 1992 insert—

“Redirection of post

182A Return of social security post

(1) A social security authority may require—

(a) the Post Office; or

(b) any other person who conveys postal packets,

to return to the sender social security post sent by or on behalf of the authority which would otherwise be redirected.

(2) A social security authority shall make payments of such amount as the Secretary of State considers reasonable in respect of the return of social security post in compliance with a requirement imposed by the authority under subsection (1) above.

(3) In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security authority” means—

(a) the Secretary of State;

(b) the Northern Ireland Department; or

(c) any local or other authority administering housing benefit or council tax benefit (including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive).

(4) In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security post” means postal packets—

(a) the contents of which relate to any benefit, contributions or national insurance number or to any other matter relating to social security; and

(b) which are marked, in a manner approved by the Post Office or other person conveying them, with the name and address of the sender and with an indication that they are to be returned rather than redirected.

(5) In this section—

(a) “redirected”, in relation to any postal packet, means delivered to an address other than that indicated by the sender on the packet; and

(b) “postal packet” has the same meaning as in the [1953 c. 36.] Post Office Act 1953.

(6) Any requirement imposed under subsection (1) above has effect subject to any order under—

(a) section 371 of the [1986 c. 45.] Insolvency Act 1986 or Article 342 of the [S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I.19).] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (redirection of bankrupt’s letters to trustee in bankruptcy);

(b) paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the [1974 c. 47.] Solicitors Act 1974 or paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the [S.I. 1976/582 (N.I.12).] Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (redirection of letters following intervention by Law Society); or

(c) paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the [1985 c. 61.] Administration of Justice Act 1985 (redirection of letters following intervention by Council for Licensed Conveyancers).”

(2) After section 158 of the [1992 c. 8.] Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 insert—

“Redirection of post

158A Return of social security post

(1) A social security authority may require—

(a) the Post Office; or

(b) any other person who conveys postal packets,

to return to the sender social security post sent by or on behalf of the authority which would otherwise be redirected.

(2) A social security authority shall make payments of such amount as the Department considers reasonable in respect of the return of social security post in compliance with a requirement imposed by the authority under subsection (1) above.

(3) In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security authority” means—

(a) the Department;

(b) the Housing Executive;

(c) the Secretary of State; or

(d) any local or other authority administering housing benefit or council tax benefit (other than the Housing Executive).

(4) In subsections (1) and (2) above “social security post” means postal packets—

(a) the contents of which relate to any benefit, contributions or national insurance number or to any other matter relating to social security; and

(b) which are marked, in a manner approved by the Post Office or other person conveying them, with the name and address of the sender and with an indication that they are to be returned rather than redirected.

(5) In this section—

(a) “redirected”, in relation to any postal packet, means delivered to an address other than that indicated by the sender on the packet; and

(b) “postal packet” has the same meaning as in the [1953 c. 36.] Post Office Act 1953.

(6) Any requirement imposed under subsection (1) above has effect subject to any order under—

(a) Article 342 of the [S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I.19).] Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 or section 371 of the [1986 c. 45.] Insolvency Act 1986 (redirection of bankrupt’s letters to trustee in bankruptcy);

(b) paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the [S.I. 1976/582 (N.I.12).] Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the [1974 c. 47.] Solicitors Act 1974 (redirection of letters following intervention by Law Society); or

(c) paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the [1985 c. 61.] Administration of Justice Act 1985 (redirection of letters following intervention by Council for Licensed Conveyancers).”