The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987

Extinguishment of right to payment of sums by way of benefit where payment is not obtained within the prescribed period

38.—(1) The right to payment of any sum by way of benefit shall be extinguished where payment of that sum is not obtained within the period of 12 months from the date on which the right is to be treated as having arisen; and for the purposes of this regulation the right shall be treated as having arisen–

(a) in relation to any such sum contained in an instrument of payment which has been given or sent to the person to whom it is payable, or to a place approved by the Secretary of State for collection by him (whether or not received or collected as the case may be)–

(i) on the date of the said instrument of payment, or

(ii) if a further instrument of payment has been so given or sent as a replacement, on the date of the last such instrument of payment;

(b) in relation to any such sum to which sub-paragraph (a) does not apply, where notice is given (whether orally or in writing) or is sent that the sum contained in the notice is available for collection on the date of the notice or, if more than one such notice is given or sent, the date of the first such notice;

(c) in relation to any such sum to which neither (a) nor (b) applies, on such date as the Secretary of State determines.

(2) The giving or sending of an instrument of payment under paragraph 1(a), or of a notice under paragraph (1)(b), shall be effective for the purposes of that paragraph, even where the sum contained in that instrument, or notice, is more or less than the sum which the person concerned has the right to receive.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) the date of an instrument of payment is the date of issue of that instrument or, if the instrument specifies a date which is the earliest date on which payment can be obtained on the instrument and which is later than the date of issue, that date.

(4) This regulation shall apply to a person authorised or appointed to act on behalf of a beneficiary as it applies to a beneficiary.

(5) This regulation shall not apply to the right to a single payment of any industrial injuries gratuity or in satisfaction of a person’s right to graduated retirement benefit.