21.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, any benefit may, on the application of the person claiming, or entitled to it, and with the consent of the Secretary of State, be paid by way of automated or other direct credit transfer into a bank or other account–
(a)in the name of the person entitled to benefit, or his spouse, or a person acting on his behalf, or
(b)in the joint names of the person entitled to benefit and his spouse, or the person entitled to benefit and a person acting on his behalf.
(2) An application for the benefit to be paid in accordance with paragraph (1)–
(a)shall be in writing on a form approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State or in such other manner, being in writing, as he may accept as sufficient in the circumstances, and
(b)shall contain a statement or be accompanied by a written statement made by the applicant declaring that he has read and understood the conditions applicable to payment of benefit in accordance with this regulation.
(3) Benefit shall be paid in accordance with paragraph (1) within seven days of the last day of each successive period of entitlement as may be provided in the application.
(4) In respect of benefit which is the subject of an arrangement for payment under this regulation, the Secretary of State may make a particular payment by credit transfer otherwise than is provided by paragraph (3) if it appears to him appropriate to do so for the purpose of–
(a)paying any arrears of benefit, or
(b)making a payment in respect of a terminal period of an award or for any similar purpose.
(5) The arrangement for benefit to be payable in accordance with this regulation may be terminated–
(a)by the person entitled to benefit or a person acting on his behalf by notice in writing delivered or sent to an appropriate office or
(b)by the Secretary of State if the arrangement seems to him to be no longer appropriate to the circumstances of the particular case.