The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations 2000

Statutory Instruments

2000 No. 1978

SOCIAL SECURITY

The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations 2000

Made

24th July 2000

Laid before Parliament

27th July 2000

Coming into force

19th March 2001

The Secretary of State for Education and Employment, in relation to regulation 2(2) and (5) of these Regulations (in so far as regulation 2(5) relates to paragraphs 2 to 9 and 18 to 32 of Schedule 2 to these Regulations), and the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to the remainder of these Regulations, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1(2C), (2D) and (4), 3(1)(f)(iii) and (2), 3A(1)(e)(ii), 4(5), 8(1A)(a) to (c) and (2), 9(1) and (10), 12(1), (2) and (4)(a) and (b), 13(2A), 17(1A), 19(8) and (10), 20(4) and (6), 20A(3), (5)(b), (6), (8) and (9), 20B(3) to (8), 21, 35(1) and 36(1), (2) and (4) of, and paragraphs 1, 4, 5, 8A(1) and (2), 9, 9A to 9D, 10(1) to (4), 11(2), 12 and 15 of Schedule 1 to, the Jobseekers Act 1995(1), section 171D, 171G(2) and 175(3) and (4) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(2) and sections 72(1) and 83(4) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999(3) and of all other powers enabling each of them in that behalf, by this Instrument which contains only regulations made by virtue of, or consequential upon, provisions of section 59 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 and which is made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into force of those provisions(4), hereby make the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations shall be cited as the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations 2000 and shall come into force on 19th March 2001.

(2) In these Regulations, “the principal Regulations” means the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996(5).

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2.—(1) The principal Regulations shall be amended in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation.

(2) After Part I there shall be inserted the following Part—

“PART IA JOINT-CLAIM COUPLES

Prescribed description of a joint-claim couple for the purposes of section 1(4)

3A.— (1) For the purposes of section 1(4), a joint-claim couple shall include any joint-claim couple within the meaning given in section 1(4) of the Act where at least one member was born after 19th March 1976, unless a member of the couple is treated as responsible for a child or young person under regulation 77(3), or the couple has care of a child or young person in one or more of the circumstances mentioned in regulation 78(4), or a child or young person is living with either member of the couple in the circumstances mentioned in regulation 78(8).

(2) In a case where a person would (but for these Regulations) be a member of more than one joint-claim couple, a joint-claim couple means the couple of which he is a member which that person nominates (or in default of such nomination, which the Secretary of State nominates), to the exclusion of any other couple of which he is a member.

Entitlement of a former joint-claim couple to a jobseeker’s allowance

3B.— (1) Where a joint-claim couple cease to be a joint-claim couple because they become, or are treated as, responsible for one or more children—

(a) any claim made by both members of that couple for a jobseeker’s allowance may be treated as a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made by either member of that couple;

(b) any award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of that couple may be terminated and may be replaced by a replacement award,

where the conditions specified in paragraph (2) have been complied with.

(2) The conditions specified in this paragraph are that a member of the couple—

(a) provides such evidence as the Secretary of State may require confirming that the couple are responsible for one or more children; and

(b) advises the Secretary of State as to which member of the couple is to be the claimant.

(3) The claim by a member of the couple for a jobseeker’s allowance referred to in paragraph (1)(a) shall be treated as made on the date on which he and his partner were treated as having claimed a jobseeker’s allowance as a joint-claim couple as determined in accordance with regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations.

(4) In this regulation, “replacement award” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by paragraph 9A of Schedule 1 to the Act.

Entitlement of a new joint-claim couple to a jobseeker’s allowance

3C.— (1) Paragraph (2) shall apply where a couple become a joint-claim couple because the child, or all the children, for which they were responsible have—

(a) died;

(b) ceased to be a child or children for whom they are responsible; or

(c) reached the age of 16 and are no longer receiving full-time education for the purposes of section 142 of the Benefits Act.

(2) In a case to which this paragraph applies—

(a) any claim made by either member of that couple for a jobseeker’s allowance may be treated as a claim made by both members of the couple;

(b) any award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance, or a replacement award, in respect of either member of that couple may be terminated and may be replaced by a new award in respect of the couple,

where the conditions specified in paragraph (3) have been complied with.

(3) The conditions specified in this paragraph are that the Secretary of State—

(a) has sufficient evidence to decide whether a new award should be made; and

(b) is informed as to which member of the couple is to be the nominated member for the purposes of section 3B.

(4) The claim by both members of the joint-claim couple for a jobseeker’s allowance referred to in paragraph (2)(a) shall be treated as made on the date on which the claim by a member of that couple was treated as made in accordance with regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations.

(5) For the purposes of paragraphs 6 and 7 of Schedule 2 (housing costs), any award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance which related to the day before the day on which the relevant event specified in paragraph (1) occurred and any new award referred to in paragraph (2)(b) shall be treated as a continuous award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance.

(6) In this regulation, “new award” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by paragraph 9C of Schedule 1 to the Act.

Further circumstances in which a joint-claim couple may be entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance

3D.— (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a joint-claim couple are entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance where—

(a) the members of that couple claim a jobseeker’s allowance jointly;

(b) one member satisfies the conditions set out in section 1(2)(a) to (c) and (e) to (i); and

(c) the other member—

(i) does not satisfy the conditions set out in section 1(2)(a) to (c);

(ii) satisfies the conditions set out in section 1(2)(e) and (h); and

(iii) subject to paragraph (3), is a person to whom any paragraph of Schedule A1 applies; and

(d) the conditions set out in section 3A are satisfied in relation to the couple.

(2) A member of a joint-claim couple who falls within any paragraph in Schedule A1 for the purposes of this regulation for any day in a benefit week shall fall within that category for the whole of that week.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), paragraph 2 of Schedule A1 (students) may only apply to a member of a joint-claim couple in respect of one claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made jointly by that couple in respect of a jobseeking period applying to the other member of that couple.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), paragraph 2 of Schedule A1 may apply to a member of a joint-claim couple in respect of a further claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made jointly by the couple where the couple’s previous entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance ceased because one member of the couple—

(a) was engaged in remunerative work;

(b) had been summoned to jury service; or

(c) was within a linked period as prescribed in regulation 48(2).

Entitlement of a member of a joint-claim couple to a jobseeker’s allowance without a claim being made jointly by the couple

3E.— (1) A member of a joint-claim couple is entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance if, without making a claim jointly for that allowance with the other member of the couple—

(a) he satisfies the conditions set out in section 1(2) (a) to (c) and (e) to (i);

(b) he satisfies the conditions set out in section 3; and

(c) the other member of that couple fails to meet the conditions of entitlement set out in section 1(2B)(b) and is a person to whom paragraph (2) applies.

(2) This paragraph applies to a member of a joint-claim couple—

(a) who has failed to attend at the time and place specified by the employment officer for the purposes of regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations;

(b) in respect of whom it has been determined by the Secretary of State that the conditions in section 1(2)(a) to (c) have not been satisfied but only for so long as it has been so determined in respect of that member;

(c) who is temporarily absent from Great Britain;

(d) who is a person from abroad as defined for the purposes of regulation 85 and Schedule 5;

(e) who is subject to immigration control within the meaning of section 115(9) of the Immigration and Asylum Act;

(f) who is over pensionable age;

(g) who is engaged, or has agreed to be engaged, in remunerative work for more than 16 hours per week but less than 24 hours per week;

(h) who has claimed a maternity allowance payable in accordance with section 35 of the Benefits Act or who has claimed statutory maternity pay payable in accordance with Part XII of that Act;

(i) who is or has been pregnant and to whom sub-paragraph (h) does not apply but only for the period commencing 11 weeks before the expected week of confinement and ending seven weeks after the date on which the pregnancy ends;

(j) in respect of whom there is an Order in Council under section 179 of the Administration Act giving effect to a reciprocal agreement which, for the purposes of jobseeker’s allowance, has effect as if a payment made by another country is to be treated as a payment of a jobseeker’s allowance; or

(k) who is in receipt of statutory sick pay and who, immediately before he became incapable of work, was engaged in remunerative work for more than 16 hours per week.

Transitional case couples: prescribed circumstances and period for the purposes of paragraph 8A(2) of Schedule 1

3F.   A transitional case couple shall be entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance without having made a claim for it jointly for the period beginning on the day on which section 59 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 comes into force(6) and ending on the day on which the member of the transitional case couple who was not entitled to an income-based jobseeker’s allowance on the coming into force of that Schedule is required to attend at a place specified by an employment officer in a notification given or sent to that member.

Supply of information

3G.   Where a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance has been made jointly by a joint-claim couple, information relating to that claim may be supplied by the Secretary of State to either or both members of that couple for any purpose connected with that claim.”.

(3) After Part IX there shall be inserted the following Part—

“PART IXA HARDSHIP FOR JOINT-CLAIM COUPLES

Meaning of “couple in hardship”

146A.— (1) In this Part of these Regulations, a “couple in hardship” means for the purposes of regulation 146C, a joint-claim couple who are claiming a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, other than a couple which includes a member to whom paragraph (3) or (4) applies, where—

(a) the woman member of the joint-claim couple is pregnant and the Secretary of State is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, she will suffer hardship; or

(b) one or both members of the couple are members of a polygamous marriage, one member of the marriage is pregnant and the Secretary of State is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, she will suffer hardship; or

(c) the award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance includes, or would, if a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance from the couple were to succeed, have included in their applicable amount a disability premium and—

(i) where the couple have an award, a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is not payable either because it is suspended or because section 20A (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) applies in the couple’s case; and

(ii) the Secretary of State is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the member of the couple who would have caused the disability premium to be applicable to the couple would suffer hardship; or

(d) either member of the couple suffers from a chronic medical condition which results in functional capacity being limited or restricted by physical impairment and the Secretary of State is satisfied that—

(i) the suffering has already lasted or is likely to last, for not less than 26 weeks; and

(ii) unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the probability is that the health of the person suffering would, within two weeks of the Secretary of State making his decision, decline further than that of a normally healthy adult and the member of the couple who suffers from that condition would suffer hardship; or

(e) either member of the couple, or where a member of that couple is married to more than one person under a law which permits polygamy, one member of that marriage, devotes a considerable portion of each week to caring for another person who—

(i) is in receipt of an attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at one of the two higher rates prescribed under section 72(4) of the Benefits Act; or

(ii) has claimed either attendance allowance or disability living allowance, but only for so long as the claim has not been determined, or for 26 weeks from the date of claiming, whichever is the earlier; or

(iii) has claimed either attendance allowance or disability living allowance and has an award of either attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at one of the two higher rates prescribed under section 72(4) of the Benefits Act for a period commencing after the date on which that claim was made,

and the Secretary of State is satisfied, after taking account of the factors set out in paragraph (6) in so far as they are appropriate to the particular circumstances of the case, that the person providing the care will not be able to continue doing so unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid; or

(f) section 16 applies to either member of the couple by virtue of a direction issued by the Secretary of State, except where the member of the joint-claim couple to whom the direction applies does not satisfy the requirements of section 1(2)(a) to (c); or

(g) section 3A(1)(e)(ii) (member of joint-claim couple under the age of 18) applies to either member of the couple and the Secretary of State is satisfied that unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the couple will suffer hardship;

(h) one or both members of the couple is a person—

(i) who, pursuant to the Children Act 1989(7), was being looked after by a local authority;

(ii) with whom the local authority had a duty, pursuant to that Act, to take reasonable steps to keep in touch; or

(iii) who, pursuant to that Act, qualified for advice or assistance from a local authority,

but in respect of whom head (i), (ii) or, as the case may be, (iii) above had not applied for a period of three years or less as at the date on which the requirements of regulation 146F are complied with; and

(iv) as at the date on which the requirements of regulation 146F are complied with, that member is, or both of those members are, under the age of 21.

(2) Except in a case to which paragraph (3), (4) or (5) applies, a “couple in hardship” means for the purposes of regulation 146D, a joint-claim couple where the Secretary of State is satisfied, after taking account of the factors set out in paragraph (6) in so far as they are appropriate to the particular circumstances of the case, that the couple will suffer hardship unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid.

(3) In paragraph (1) and (2), a “couple in hardship” does not include a couple one of whose members is entitled to income support or who falls within a category of persons prescribed for the purposes of section 124(1)(e) of the Benefits Act.

(4) Paragraph (1)(e) shall not apply in a case where the person being cared for resides in a residential care or nursing home.

(5) In paragraph (2), a “couple in hardship” does not include a joint-claim couple where section 20A(2)(b) or (c) applies to either or both members by virtue of any act or omission relating to a New Deal option.

(6) Factors which, for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary of State is to take into account in determining whether a joint-claim couple will suffer hardship are—

(a) the presence in the joint-claim couple of a person who satisfies the requirements for a disability premium specified in paragraphs 20H and 20I of Schedule 1;

(b) the resources which, without a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, are likely to be available to the joint-claim couple, the amount by which these resources fall short of the amount applicable in their case in accordance with regulation 146G (applicable amount in hardship cases for joint-claim couples), the amount of any resources which may be available to the joint-claim couple for any person in the couple’s household who is not a member of the family and the length of time for which those factors are likely to persist;

(c) whether there is a substantial risk that essential items, including food, clothing, heating and accommodation, will cease to be available to the joint-claim couple, or will be available at considerably reduced levels, the hardship that will result and the length of time those factors are likely to persist.

Period when a joint-claim couple is not in hardship

146B.— (1) A joint-claim couple which is not a couple in hardship by virtue of regulation 146A(5) shall not be a couple in hardship throughout the period beginning on the day on which a New Deal decision has effect by virtue of regulation 69 or, as the case may be, by virture of regulation 7(8) of the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999(8) in relation to either or both members of that couple and ending—

(a) on the last day on which a member is required to participate in a New Deal option; or

(b) on the day which is 14 days after the day on which the New Deal decision had effect,

whichever is the later.

(2) Where a joint-claim couple who are not a couple in hardship by virtue of regulation 146A(5) was a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D immediately before the commencement of the period referred to in paragraph (1), that couple shall, subject to paragraph (3), again become a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D on the day following the expiration of that period.

(3) A joint-claim couple to whom paragraph (2) applies shall not again become a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D if—

(a) the day following the day the period referred to in paragraph (1) expires is a day within a period in respect of which a subsequent New Deal decision applies by virtue of paragraph (1); or

(b) on the day following the expiration of the period referred to in paragraph (1), they are not a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D.

(4) In this regulation, “New Deal decision” means a decision that section 20A(2)(b) or (c) applies to a member of a joint-claim couple by virtue of an act or omission relating to one of the New Deal options.

Circumstances in which a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable where a joint-claim couple is a couple in hardship

146C.— (1) This regulation applies where a joint-claim couple is a couple in hardship within the meaning of regulation 146A(1) and is subject to the provisions of regulations 146E and 146F.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a couple in hardship referred to in paragraph (1), other than a couple in hardship where either or both members are persons to whom regulation 46(1) (waiting days) applies, shall be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for the period—

(a) beginning with the fourth day of the jobseeking period or, if later, from the day the couple first becomes a couple in hardship; and

(b) ending on the day before the claim is determined,

where the sole reason for the claim being determined on that day and not earlier is that a question arises as to whether either or both members satisfy the conditions of entitlement in section 1(2)(a) to (c) provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the conditions set out in section 1(2B)(c).

(3) A couple in hardship to whom paragraph (2) applies may be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period after the date referred to in that paragraph which is applicable in their case but before the date of the statement referred to in regulation 146E(1) is furnished where the Secretary of State is satisfied that that couple suffered hardship because of a lack of resources during that period.

(4) A couple in hardship, except where either or both members have been treated as not available for employment in accordance with regulations under section 6(4) shall, subject to the conditions specified in regulation 146E (conditions for hardship payments), be entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance without both members satisfying the requirements of section 1(2)(a) to (c) provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to that benefit.

(5) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a joint-claim couple who are a couple in hardship even though payment to the couple of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been suspended in accordance with regulations made under section 21 of the Social Security Act 1998(9) on the ground that a doubt has arisen as to whether either joint-claimant satisfies the requirements of section 1(2)(a) to (c), but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as—

(a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance; or

(b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in section 1(2B)(b)).

(6) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a couple in hardship even though section 20A(5)(a) (denial of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to the couple or section 20A(5)(b) (reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) reduces the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable to the couple but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as—

(a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance; or

(b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in section 1(2B)(b)).

Further circumstances in which a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable to a couple in hardship

146D.— (1) This regulation applies to a couple in hardship falling within paragraph (2) but not paragraph (1) of regulation 146A and is subject to the provisions of regulations 146E and 146F.

(2) A couple in hardship shall be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period commencing on whichever is the later of—

(a) the 15th day following the date of claim disregarding any waiting days; or

(b) the day on which regulation 146E is complied with,

and ending on the day before the claim is determined where the sole reason for the claim being determined on that day and not earlier is that a question arises as to whether either or both members of that couple satisfy the conditions of entitlement in section 1(2)(a) to (c) provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the conditions set out in section 1(2B)(c).

(3) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable, subject to paragraph (4), to a couple in hardship even though payment to them of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been suspended in accordance with regulations made under section 21 of the Social Security Act 1998 (suspension of benefit) on the ground that a doubt has arisen as to whether either or both members of that couple satisfy the requirements of section 1(2)(a) to (c) of the Act but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as—

(a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance; or

(b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in section 1(2B)(b)).

(4) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall not be payable in respect of the first 14 days of the period of suspension.

(5) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a couple in hardship even though section 20A(5)(a) (denial of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to them or section 20A(5)(b) (reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) reduces the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable to them but the allowance—

(a) shall not be payable under this paragraph in respect of the first 14 days of the period to which section 20A applies; and

(b) shall be payable thereafter only where the conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance are satisfied or where one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in section 1(2B)(b)).

Conditions for hardship payments to a joint-claim couple

146E.— (1) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall not be payable in accordance with regulation 146C or, as the case may be, 146D, except where either member of the joint-claim couple has—

(a) furnished on a form approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State or in such other form as he may in any particular case approve, a statement of the circumstances he relies upon to establish entitlement under regulation 146C or, as the case may be, regulation 146D; and

(b) signed the statement.

(2) The completed and signed form shall be delivered by either member to such office as the Secretary of State may specify.

Provision of information

146F.   For the purposes of section 20B(5) and paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 1 to the Act, a member of a joint-claim couple shall provide to the Secretary of State information as to the circumstances of the alleged hardship of that couple.

Applicable amount in hardship cases for joint-claim couples

146G.— (1) The weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple to whom a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable in accordance with this Part of these Regulations shall be reduced by a sum equivalent to 40% or, in a case where a member of a joint-claim couple is either pregnant or seriously ill or where a member of the joint-claim couple is a member of a polygamous marriage and one of the members of that marriage is pregnant or seriously ill, 20% of the following amount—

(a) where one member of the joint-claim couple or the polygamous marriage is aged not less than 18 but less than 25 and the other member or, in the case of a polygamous marriage, each other member, is a person under 18 to whom section 3A(1)(e)(ii) applies or is not subject to a direction under section 16, the amount specified in paragraph 1(1)(d) of Schedule 1;

(b) where one member of the joint-claim couple or of the polygamous marriage (other than a member of a couple or polygamous marriage to whom sub-paragraph (a) applies) at least one of whom is aged not less than 18, the amount specified in paragraph 1(1)(e) of Schedule 1.

(2) A reduction under paragraph (1) shall, if it is not a multiple of 5p, be rounded to the nearest such multiple or, if it is a multiple of 2.5p but not of 5p, to the next lower multiple of 5p.

Payments made on account of suspended benefit

146H.— (1) This regulation applies to a joint-claim couple to whom—

(a) payments of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance have been suspended in accordance with regulations made under section 21 of the Social Security Act 1998(10);

(b) a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid under regulation 146C or 146D.

(2) In the case of a joint-claim couple to whom—

(a) this regulation applies; and

(b) payments in respect of the benefit suspended fall to be made,

any benefit paid or payable by virtue of regulation 146C(5) or 146D(3) shall be treated as having been paid on account of the suspended benefit and only the balance of the suspended benefit, if any, shall be payable.”.

(4) Before Schedule 1, there shall be inserted the Schedule at Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(5) The principal Regulations shall be further amended in accordance with Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Signed for the purposes of regulation 2(2) and (5) of the Regulations (in so far as regulation 2(5) relates to paragraphs 2 to 9 and 18 to 32 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations) by authority of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

Tessa Jowell

Minister of State,

Department for Education and Employment

21st July 2000

Signed for the purposes of the remainder of the Regulations by authority of the Secretary of State for Social Security.

Angela Eagle

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Department of Social Security

24th July 2000

Regulation 2(4)

SCHEDULE 1

Regulation 3D(1)(c)(iii)

“SCHEDULE A1 CATEGORIES OF MEMBERS OF A JOINT-CLAIM COUPLE WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED TO SATISFY THE CONDITIONS IN SECTION 1(2B)(b)

Interpretation

1.   In this Schedule, “member” means a member of a joint-claim couple.

Member studying full-time

2.   A member who, at the date of claim—

(a) is aged 16 or over but under 19 and is receiving full-time education for the purposes of section 142 of the Benefits Act;

(b) is a full-time student;

(c) has applied to an educational establishment to commence a full-time course of study commencing from the beginning of the next academic term or, as the case may be, the next academic year after the date of claim and that application has not been rejected; or

(d) has been allocated a place on a full-time course of study commencing from the beginning of the next academic term or, as the case may be, the next academic year.

(2) A member to whom sub-paragraph (1) applies and who has applied to an educational establishment to commence a full-time course of study—

(a) within one month of the last day of a previous course of study; or

(b) within one month of the day on which the member received examination results relating to a previous course of study,

but this sub-paragraph shall not apply in respect of an application to commence a course of study beyond a first degree course or a comparable course.

(3) A member to whom any provision of regulation 13(2)(b) to (e) of the Income Support Regulations(11) (persons receiving relevant education who are severely handicapped, orphans and persons estranged from their parents or guardian) applies.

Member caring for another person

3.   A member (the carer)—

(a) who is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for another person if—

(i) the person being cared for is in receipt of attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act; or

(ii) the person being cared for has claimed attendance allowance but only for the period up to the date of determination of that claim, or the period of 26 weeks from the date of that claim, whichever date is the earlier; or

(iii) the person being cared for has claimed attendance allowance in accordance with section 65(6)(a) of the Benefits Act (claims in advance of entitlement), an award has been made in respect of that claim under section 65(6)(b) of that Act and, where the period for which the award is payable has begun, that person is in receipt of the allowance;

(iv) the person being cared for has claimed entitlement to a disability living allowance but only for the period up to the date of determination of that claim, or the period of 26 weeks from the date of that claim, whichever date is the earlier; or

(v) the person being cared for has claimed entitlement to the care component of a disability living allowance in accordance with regulation 13A of the Claims and Payments Regulations(12) (advance claims and awards), an award at the highest or middle rate has been made in respect of that claim and, where the period for which the award is payable has begun, that person is in receipt of the allowance;

(b) who is engaged in caring for another person and who is both entitled to, and in receipt of, an invalid care allowance.

4.   A member to whom paragraph 3 applied, but only for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which that paragraph ceased to apply to him.

5.   A member who, had he previously made a claim for, and had been entitled to, a jobseeker’s allowance, would have fulfilled the conditions of paragraph 3, but only for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which he ceased to fulfil those conditions.

Member incapable of work

6.   A member who—

(a) is incapable of work in accordance with the provisions of Part XIIA of the Benefits Act(13) and the regulations made thereunder (incapacity for work); or

(b) is treated as incapable of work by virtue of regulations made under section 171D of that Act (persons to be treated as incapable or capable of work); or

(c) is treated as capable of work by virtue of regulations made under section 171E(1) of that Act (disqualification etc.); or

(d) is entitled to statutory sick pay.

Members in employment living in residential care homes, nursing homes or residential accommodation

7.   A member to whom regulation 53(c) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work) applies.

Disabled workers

8.   A member to whom regulation 53(h) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work) applies.

Disabled students

9.   A member who is a student and—

(a) if he were a single claimant, his applicable amount would have included the disability premium or severe disabilty premium; or

(b) who has satisfied the provisions of paragraph 6 for a continuous period of not less than 196 days, and for this purpose, any two or more separate periods separated by a break of not more than 56 days shall be treated as one continuous period.

Deaf students

10.   A member who is a student in respect of whom—

(a) a supplementary requirement has been determined under paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1999(14); or

(b) an allowance or, as the case may be, a bursary has been granted which includes a sum under paragraph (1)(d) of regulation 4 of the Students' Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 1999(15) or, as the case may be, the Education Authority Bursaries (Scotland) Regulations 1995(16) in respect of expenses incurred; or

(c) a payment has been made under section 2 of the Education Act 1962(17); or

(d) a grant has been made under regulation 13 of the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2000(18) or under regulation 13 of the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2000 (Northern Ireland)(19); or

(e) a supplementary requirement has been determined under paragraph 9 of Schedule 6 to the Students Awards Regulations (Northen Ireland) 1999(20) or a payment has been made under article 50(3) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(21),

on account of his disability by reason of deafness.

Blind members

11.   A member who is registered as blind in a register compiled by a local authority under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948(22) (welfare services) or, in Scotland, has been certified as blind and in consequence, he is registered as blind in a register maintained by or on behalf of a regional or islands council, but a person who has ceased to be registered as blind on regaining his eyesight shall nevertheless be treated as so registered for a period of 28 weeks following the date on which he ceased to be so registered.

Pregnancy

12.   A member who is a woman and who is incapable of work by reason of pregnancy.

Members aged 60 or over

13.   A member aged not less than 60.

Refugees

14.   A member who is a refugee within the definition in Article 1 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28th July 1951(23) as extended by Article 1(2) of the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31st January 1967(24) and who—

(a) is attending for more than 15 hours a week a course for the purpose of learning English so that he may obtain employment; and

(b) on the date on which that course commenced, had been in Great Britain for not more than 12 months,

but only for a period not exceeding nine months.

Members required to attend court

15.   A member who is required to attend court as a justice of the peace, a party to any proceedings, a witness or a juror.

Young persons in training

16.   A member who is engaged in training and for this purpose “training” means training for which persons aged under 18 are eligible and for which persons aged 18 to 24 may be eligible provided in England and Wales, directly or indirectly by a Training and Enterprise Council pursuant to its arrangement with the Secretary of State (whether that arrangement is known as an Operating Agreement or by any other name) and, in Scotland, directly or indirectly by a Local Enterprise Company pursuant to its arrangements with, as the case may be, Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise (whether that arrangement is known as an Operating Contract or by any other name).

Trade disputes

17.   A member who is or would be prevented from being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance by virtue of section 14 (trade disputes) but only where that section does not prevent the other member from being so entitled.”.

Regulation 2(5)

SCHEDULE 2 AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS

1.  In regulation 1(3) (interpretation), at the end of the definition of “partner”, there shall be added the words—

• “but in so far as this definition applies to a member of a joint-claim couple, it shall only apply to such a member specified in regulation 3E(2)”.

2.  After regulation 23 (attendance) there shall be inserted the following regulation—

“Attendance by members of a joint-claim couple

23A.   Each member of a joint-claim couple shall attend at such place and at such time as the employment officer may specify by a notification which is given or sent to that member and which may be in writing, by telephone or by electronic means.”.

3.  In regulation 24 (provision of information and evidence)—

(a) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(1A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall provide such information as to the circumstances of each or either member of a couple, the availability for employment of each or either member of the couple and the extent to which each or either member of the couple is actively seeking employment as may be required by the Secretary of State in order to determine the entitlement of the couple to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to the couple and, if so, in what amount.”;

(b) at the end of paragraph (3) there shall be inserted the words “, and in this paragraph “couple” does not include a joint-claim couple”;

(c) after paragraph (3) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(3A) Where entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance or whether that allowance is payable and, if so, in what amount, is or may be affected by the circumstances of any member of a polygamous marriage, the Secretary of State may require either member of the joint-claim couple to certify in writing that any member of the polygamous marriage confirms the information given about that member’s circumstances.”;

(d) after paragraph (5) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(5A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall furnish such certificates, documents and other evidence affecting the continuing entitlement of the couple to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to the couple and, if so, in what amount as the Secretary of State may require.”;

(e) in paragraph (7)(a), after the words “a jobseeker’s allowance” there shall be inserted the words “or, in the case of a joint-claim couple, the entitlement of the couple to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(f) in paragraph (8) after the words “paragraph (1)” there shall be inserted the words “,(1A)” and after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”;

(g) in paragraph (9) after the words “(4) or (5)” there shall be inserted the words “or (5A)”;

(h) in paragraph (10) after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”.

4.  In regulation 25(1) (entitlement ceasing on a failure to comply)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a) for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “a claimant”;

(b) in both sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”;

(c) in both sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “that claimant”.

5.  In regulation 26 (time at which entitlement is to cease)—

(a) in paragraph (a)(25) for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “that claimant”;

(b) after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”.

6.  In regulation 27(1) (where entitlement is not to cease)—

(a) for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “a claimant”;

(b) after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”.

7.  In regulation 28(1) (matters to be taken into account in determining whether a claimant has good cause for failing to comply with a notice under regulation 23 or 23A), after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”.

8.  In regulation 30 (circumstances in which a claimant is to be regarded as having good cause for failing to comply with a notice under regulation 23 or 23A), after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or 23A”.

9.  At the end of regulation 34 (jobseeker’s agreement treated as having been made), there shall be added the following paragraph—

“(f) if he is temporarily absent from Great Britain in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 50(6B)(a) or (c), for the period of any such temporary absence.”.

10.  In regulation 46(1) (waiting days)—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (b) there shall be inserted “; or”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (b) there shall be aded the following sub-paragraphs—

“(c) a joint-claim couple are entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of themselves and that paragraph of that Schedule has already applied to one member of that couple in respect of a jobseeking period which is linked to a jobseeking period relating to that member which has commenced by virtue of his having claimed a jobseeker’s allowance as a member of that couple;

(d) a joint-claim couple have claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly within 12 weeks of either member of that couple being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance, income support, incapacity benefit or invalid care allowance;

(e) a member of a joint-claim couple is both in receipt of a training allowance and the nominated member for the purposes of section 3B.”.

11.  In regulation 47 (jobseeking periods), at the end of sub-paragraph (b) in paragraph (2) there shall be added the words “or, where the claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, a jobseeker’s allowance is payable in accordance with Part IXA (hardship)”.

12.  In regulation 49 (persons approaching retirement and the jobseeking period)—

(a) at the beginning of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the words “Subject to paragraph (5),”;

(b) after paragraph (4) there shall be added the following paragraph—

“(5) This regulation shall not apply in respect of any days in respect of which a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been claimed.”.

13.  In regulation 50 (persons temporarily absent from Great Britain), after paragraph (6) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“(6A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated, for the purposes of the Act, as being in Great Britain where he is a member of a transitional case couple as defined for the purposes of paragraph 8A(2) of Schedule 1 to the Act and, as at the date on which Schedule 7 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 comes into force—

(a) he is temporarily absent from Great Britain; or

(b) he has made definite arrangements to be temporarily absent from Great Britain from some future date,

and that member shall be so treated during any such period of temporary absence from Great Britain.

(6B) A member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated, for the purposes of the Act, as being in Great Britain during any period of temporary absence from Great Britain—

(a) not exceeding 4 weeks where he is in Northern Ireland and the period of absence is unlikely to exceed 52 weeks;

(b) not exceeding 4 weeks where he is in receipt of a training allowance during the period of absence and regulation 170 applies in his case; or

(c) not exceeding 7 days where the absence is for the purpose of attending an interview for employment,

where that member is so temporarily absent as at the date of claim by the other member of that couple.”.

14.  In regulation 51 (remunerative work), in both paragraph (1)(a) and (2), for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “a claimant”.

15.  In regulation 52 (persons treated as engaged in remunerative work)—

(a) in paragraph (2), after the words “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” in the first place where they occur there shall be inserted the words “but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(2A) For the purposes of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, a member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated as engaged in remunerative work where—

(a) he is or was involved in a trade dispute;

(b) had the joint-claim couple of which he is a member claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, section 14 (trade disputes) would have applied in the case of one or both members of that couple; and

(c) the joint-claim couple were not entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance when that member of the joint-claim couple became involved in the trade dispute,

and shall be so treated for a period of 7 days beginning on the date the stoppage of work commenced at that member’s place of employment or, if there was no stoppage of work, the date on which that member first withdrew his labour in furtherance of the trade dispute.”.

16.  After regulation 53(g) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work), there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(gg) he is—

(i) a member of a joint-claim couple; and

(ii) involved in a trade dispute; and

(iii) not a person to whom regulation 52(2A) applies,

and had the joint-claim couple of which he is a member claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, section 14 (trade disputes) would have applied in the case of one or both members of that couple;”.

17.  In paragraph (1) of regulation 55(26) (short periods of sickness), after the words “section 19(5) or (6)” there shall be inserted the words “or 20A(2)”.

18.  For regulation 58 (young persons to whom section 3(1)(f)(iii) or 3A(1)(e)(ii) applies), there shall be substituted the following regulation—

“Young persons to whom section 3(1)(f)(iii) or 3A(1)(e)(ii) applies

58.   For the period specified in relation to him, a young person to whom regulation 59, 60 or 61 applies shall be regarded as a person within prescribed circumstances for the purposes of section 3(1)(f)(iii) or section 3A(1)(e)(ii) (conditions of entitlement for certain persons under the age of 18).”.

19.  In regulation 61 (other young persons in prescribed circumstances)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(d) and (e), after the words “section 3(1)(f)(ii)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 3A(1)(e)(i)”;

(b) in paragraph (1)(f), after the words “section 19(6)(c) or (d)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b), (c), (f) or (g)”;

(c) in paragraph (2)(c), after the words “regulation 23” there shall be inserted the words “or regulation 23A”.

20.  In regulation 62 (registration), after the words “section 3(1)(f)(ii) or (iii)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 3A(1)(e)(i) or (ii)”.

21.  In regulation 63 (reduced payments under section 17)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (b)—

(aa) after the words “section 19(5)(b) or (c)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b) or (c)”;

(bb) after the words “section 19(6)(a) or (b)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(d) or (e)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (c) after the words “section 19(5)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)”, in both places where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)”;

(iii) in sub-paragraph (d) after the words “section 19(5)(b)(iii)”, in both places where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(b) in paragraph (4) after the words “section 19(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(iii)” and after the words “section 19(5)(c)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(c)”.

22.  In regulation 66(1) (the jobseeker’s agreement) after the words “section 19” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A” and after the words “sections 19 and 20” there shall be inserted the words “or sections 20A and 20B”.

23.  In regulation 67 (sanctions)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(27)—

(i) after the words “section 19(5)(b)”, in each place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (b), after the words “section 19(5)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)” and after the words “section 19(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) after the words “section 19(6)(c) or (d)”, in each place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(f) or (g)”;

(ii) after the words “section 19(5)(b) or (c)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b) or (c)”;

(iii) after the words “section 19(6)(a) or (b)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(d) or (e)”;

(c) in paragraph (3)—

(i) after the words “section 19(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(ii) after the words “section 19(5)(c)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(c)”.

24.  In regulation 68(1) and (2)(28) (reduced amount of allowance) after the words “a couple” there shall be inserted “(including a joint-claim couple)” and after the words “19(6)(c) or (d)” there shall be inserted the words “or within section 20A(2)(a) to (c), (f) or (g)”.

25.  In regulation 69(29) (prescribed period for the purposes of sections 19(2) and 20A(3))—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) for the words “section 19(2)” there shall be substituted the words “sections 19(2) and 20A(3)”;

(ii) after the words “section 19(5)”, in each place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(a) to (c)”;

(b) in paragraph (2) for the words “section 19(2)” there shall be substituted the words “sections 19(2) and 20A(3)”;

(c) in paragraph (3) after the words “section 19” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A”;

(d) in paragraph (4)(c) after the words “section 19(5) or (6)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)”.

26.  In regulation 70 (sanctions of discretionary length)—

(a) after the words “section 19(3)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(4)”;

(b) after the words “section 19(6)(a)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(d)”.

27.  In regulation 72 (good cause for the purposes of section 19(5)(a) and (6)(c) and (d) and section 20A(2)(a), (f) and (g))—

(a) at the end of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance)”;

(b) in paragraphs (2)(30), (4), (5) and (6) after the words “for the purposes of section 19(5)(a) and (6)(c) and (d)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(a), (f) and (g)”;

(c) in both paragraphs (3A) and (5A) after the words “for the purposes of section 19(6)(c) and (d)”, in each place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(f) and (g)”;

(d) in paragraph (8) after the words “for the purposes of section 19(6)(d)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(g)”;

(e) in paragraph (9)(b)(ii) after the words “section 19(6)(d)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(g)”.

28.  In regulation 73 (good cause for the purposes of section 19(5)(b) and section 20A(2)(b))—

(a) at the end of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance)”;

(b) in paragraphs (2), (2A) and (2B)(31) after the words “for the purposes of section 19(5)(b)”, in each place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(b)”;

(c) in paragraph (2A)(b) after the words “in section 19(5)(b)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(b)”;

(d) in paragraph (2B)(b) after the words “for the purposes of section 19(5)(b)(iii) and (iv)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(b)(iii) and (iv)”.

29.  In regulation 74 (person of prescribed description for the purposes of section 20(3) and 20B(3))—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) after the words “section 20(3)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20B(3)”;

(ii) after the words “section 19(6)(b) or (d)” there shall be inserted the words “or section 20A(2)(e) or (g)”;

(b) in paragraph (4), after the words “section 20(3)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20B(3)”.

30.  In regulation 74A(32) (person in receipt of a training allowance)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after the words “a claimant” there shall be inserted the words “other than a member of a joint-claim couple”;

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“(3) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable in respect of a joint-claim couple even though section 20A prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to the couple where a member of that couple to whom that section applies is in receipt of a training allowance and is not receiving training falling within paragraph (2) of regulation 170 but the jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as that member satisfies the conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance other than those which he is not required to meet by virtue of regulation 170.

(4) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance which is payable to a couple in accordance with this regulation shall be payable to the couple at the full rate applicable to it.”.

31.  After regulation 74A there shall be inserted the following regulation—

“Reduced allowance where one member of a joint-claim couple is subject to a sanction

74B.— (1) Where only one member of a joint-claim couple is subject to sanctions for the purposes of section 20A, the rate of jobseeker’s allowance payable in respect of the couple for the period of those sanctions shall be calculated in accordance with this regulation.

(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions.

(3) That reduced rate shall be—

(a) in any case in which the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions satisfies the conditions set out in section 2, a rate equal to the amount calculated in accordance with section 4(1);

(b) in any case where the couple are a couple in hardship for the purposes of Part IXA, a rate equal to the amount calculated in accordance with regulation 146G;

(c) in any other case, a rate calculated in accordance with section 4(3A) save that the applicable amount shall be the amount determined by reference to paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 which would have been the applicable amount had the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions been a single claimant.”.

32.  In regulation 75(33) (interpretation)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after the words “section 19” there shall be inserted the words “, section 20A”;

(b) in paragraph (1)(b)(iii) after the words “section 19(5)(c)” there shall be inserted the words “and section 20A(2)(b)(iii) and (iv) and section 20A(2)(c)”;

(c) in paragraph (2) after the words “subsection (2)” there shall be inserted the words “and in section 20A, except subsection (3)”;

(d) in paragraph (3) after the words “section 19(2)” there shall be inserted the words “, section 20A(3)”;

(e) in paragraph (4) after the words “subsection (9)” there shall be inserted the words “in section 20A”.

33.  In regulation 78 (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being a member of the household)—

(a) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(1A) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the members of a joint-claim couple shall be treated for the purposes of the Act as members of the same household notwithstanding that they are temporarily living away from each other.”;

(b) in paragraph (2) for the words “Paragraph (1)” there shall be substituted the words “Paragraphs (1) and (1A)”;

(c) in paragraph (3)—

(i) for the words “Paragraph (1)” there shall be substituted the words “Paragraphs (1) and (1A)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (c), for the words “the claimant” there shall be substituted the words “a claimant”.

34.  For regulation 82 there shall be substituted the following regulation—

“Income-based jobseeker’s allowance

82.— (1) Regulations 83 to 86 and 87 apply in the case of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance.

(2) Regulations 86A to 86D only apply in the case of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance.”.

35.  After regulation 86 there shall be inserted the following regulations—

“Applicable amounts for joint-claim couples

86A.   Except in the case of a joint-claim couple where regulation 86B (polygamous marriages), 86C (special cases) or 86D (members of joint-claim couples in residential care and nursing homes) or Part X (urgent cases) applies, the applicable amount of a joint-claim couple who are jointly claiming a jobseeker’s allowance shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as may apply in their case—

(a) an amount in respect of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1;

(b) an amount in respect of either or both members of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 (residential allowance);

(c) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to either or both members of the joint-claim couple, determined in accordance with Parts IVA and IVB of Schedule 1 (premiums); and

(d) any amounts determined in accordance with Schedule 2 (housing costs) which may be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of mortgage interest payments or such other housing costs as are prescribed in that Schedule.

Applicable amounts for joint-claim couples: polygamous marriages

86B.   Except in the case of a joint-claim couple where regulation 86A, 86C (special cases) or 86D (members of joint claim couples in residential care and nursing homes) or Part X (urgent cases) applies, the applicable amount of a joint-claim couple who are jointly claiming a jobseeker’s allowance where either or both members of that couple are members of a polygamous marriage, shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as may apply in their case—

(a) the highest amount applicable to a member of the joint-claim couple and one other member of that marriage determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 as if those members were a couple;

(b) an amount equal to the difference between the amounts specified in sub-paragraphs (3)(e) and (1)(e) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 in respect of each of the other members of the polygamous marriage who are members of that household;

(c) an amount, whether in respect of a member of the joint-claim couple or any member of his household aged 16 or over, determined in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 (residential allowance);

(d) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to a member of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with Parts IVA and IVB of Schedule 1 (premiums); and

(e) any amounts determined in accordance with Schedule 2 (housing costs) which may be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of mortgate interest payments or such other housing costs as are prescribed in that Schedule.

Joint-claim couples: special cases

86C.— (1) Where a member of a joint-claim couple is a person to whom any paragraph in column (1) of Schedule 5A applies (applicable amounts in special cases for joint-claim couples), the amount included in the joint-claim couple’s weekly applicable amount shall be the amount prescribed in the corresponding paragraph in column (2) of that Schedule.

(2) Except where the amount prescribed in Schedule 5A in respect of a joint-claim couple includes an amount applicable under regulation 86A(c) or 86B(d), a person to whom paragraph (1) applies shall be treated as not falling within the conditions specified in paragraph 20I of Schedule 1 (severe disability premium).

(3) In Schedule 5A, for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 11 (persons in residential care or nursing home who become patients), where a person has been a patient for two or more distinct periods separated by one or more intervals each not exceeding 28 days, he shall be treated as having been a patient continuously for a period equal in duration to the total of those distinct periods.

(4) Expressions used in this regulation and in Schedule 5A shall have the same meaning as those expressions have for the purposes of regulation 85 and Schedule 5 save that for the purposes of this regulation and of Schedule 5A, the definition of “person from abroad” in regulation 85(4) shall have effect as if after the words “a claimant” there were inserted the words “,other than a member of a joint-claim couple who is not the nominated member for the purposes of section 3B,”.

Applicable amount for a joint-claim couple where a number is in residential care or a nursing home

86D.— (1) Where either or both members of a joint-claim couple have a preserved right and that member or those members live in a residential care or nusing home, the weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple shall, except in a case to which regulation 86C (joint-claim couples: special cases) applies, be calculated in accordance with Schedule 4A.

(2) A member of a joint-claim couple has a preserved right for the purposes of this regulation if he satisfies the requirements for a preserved right under regulation 19 of, and Schedule 4 to, the Income Support Regulations.

(3) Expressions used in Schedule 4A shall have the same meaning as those expressions have for the purposes of Schedule 4.

(4) Regulation 86(5) shall have effect for the purposes of this regulation as if for the words “a person resident in those premises shall be determined under Schedule 4” there were substituted the words “a joint-claim couple where either or both members of the couple are resident in those premises shall be determined under Schedule 4A.””.

36.  In regulation 88(1) (calculation of income and capital of members of a claimant’s family and of a polygamous marriage), for the words “and to regulation” there shall be substituted the words “and regulations 88ZA (calculation of income and capital of a joint-claim couple) and”.

37.  After regulation 88 there shall be inserted the following regulation—

“Calculation of income and capital of a joint-claim couple

88ZA.— (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), the income and capital of a joint-claim couple shall be calculated by—

(a) determining the income and capital of each member of that couple in accordance with this Part; and

(b) aggregating the amount determined in respect of each member in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) above.

(2) Where—

(a) a member of a joint-claim couple is aged less than 18;

(b) the other member is aged over 18; and

(c) the applicable amount of the couple falls to be determined under paragraph 1(3)(g) or (h) of Schedule 1 (applicable amounts),

the income of the joint-claim couple shall not be aggregated to the extent that the amount specified in paragraph 1(3)(e) of that Schedule exceeds the amount which applies in that case which is specified in paragraph 1(3)(g) or (h) of that Schedule.

(3) Where a member of a joint-claim couple is married polygamously to two or more members of his household, the joint-claim couple shall be treated as possessing income and capital belonging to each such member and the income and capital of that member shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Part in like manner as for each member of the joint-claim couple.

(4) Regulations 99(2) and 101(2) in so far as they relate to paragraphs 5, 7, 8 and 11 of Schedule 6 (earnings to be disregarded) shall not apply to a member of a joint-claim couple but there shall instead be disregarded from the net earnings of a member of a joint-claim couple any sum, where applicable, specified in—

(a) paragraphs 1 to 4 and 13 to 16 of Schedule 6; and

(b) paragraphs 1 to 6 of Schedule 6A.”.

38.  In regulation 93(1) (calculation of income) for the words “section 3(1)” there shall be substituted the words “sections 3(1) (the income-based conditions) and 3A(1) (the conditions for claims by joint-claim couples)”.

39.  In regulation 94(2)(b) (calculation of earnings derived from employed earner’s employment and income other than earnings), after the words “Schedule 6” there shall be inserted the words “and Schedule 6A”.

40.  In regulation 95(2) (calculation of earnings of self-employed earners), after the words “Schedule 6” there shall be inserted the words “and Schedule 6A”.

41.  In regulation 102C(34) (calculation of income of participants in the self-employment route of the Employment Option of the New Deal)—

(a) in paragraph (3)(a), after the words “or his partner” there shall be inserted the words “or, in the case of a joint-claim couple, the participant and the other member of the couple of which the participant is a member,”;

(b) in paragraph (4), after the words “Schedule 6” there shall be inserted the words “or paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Schedule 6A”.

42.  In regulation 105(10)(a)(ii)(35) (notional income), for the words “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted the words “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

43.  In regulation 107 (capital limit), after “13(1)” there shall be inserted the words “and (2A)”.

44.  In regulation 113(3)(a)(ii)(36) (notional capital), for the words “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted the words “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

45.  In regulation 140(37) (meaning of person in hardship)—

(a) in paragraph (1), after the word “applies” there shall be inserted the words “or a member of a joint-claim couple and regulation 3E does not apply”;

(b) in paragraph (2), after the word “applies” there shall be inserted the words “or where the person in hardship is a member of a joint-claim couple and regulation 3E does not apply”.

46.  In regulation 148(1) (applicable amount in urgent cases), after the words “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” there shall be inserted the words “but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”.

47.  After regulation 148, there shall be inserted the following regulation—

“Applicable amount in urgent cases: joint-claim couples

148A.— (1) For the purpose of calculating any entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance under this Part—

(a) except in a case to which sub-paragraph (b), (c) or (d) applies, a joint-claim couple’s weekly applicable amount shall be the aggregate of—

(i) 90 per cent. of the amount applicable (reduced where appropriate in accordance with regulation 146G (applicable amount in hardship cases for joint-claim couples)) in respect of the couple under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 1 or, as the case may be, the amount applicable in respect of them under regulation 86B (joint-claim couples: polygamous marriages);

(ii) the amount, if applicable, specified in Part IVA of Schedule 1 (premiums);

(iii) any amounts applicable under regulation 86A(d) or, as the case may be, 86B(e) (housing costs); and

(iv) the amount, if applicable, specified in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1;

(b) where a member of a joint-claim couple is a resident in a residential care home or a nursing home and has a preserved right, the weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple shall be the aggregate of—

(i) 90 per cent. of the amount of the allowance for personal expenses prescribed in paragraph 12(a) of Schedule 4A (applicable amounts of members in residential care and nursing homes) and where regulation 146G (applicable amount in hardship cases for joint-claim couples) applies, the reference in this head to 90 per cent. of the amount so reduced shall be construed as a reference to 90 per cent. of the relevant amount under that regulation reduced by the percentage specified in paragraph (1) or (2), as the case may be, of that regulation;

(ii) the amount in respect of the weekly charge for his accommodation calculated in accordance with regulation 86D and Schedule 4A;

(c) where a member of a joint-claim couple is in residential accommodation, the weekly applicable amount shall be 98 per cent. of the amount referred to in column (2) of paragraph 9 of Schedule 5A (applicable amounts of joint-claim couples in special cases) which is applicable to the couple;

(d) except where sub-paragraph (b) or (c) applies, in the case of a member of a joint-claim couple to whom any paragraph of Schedule 5A (applicable amounts of joint-claim couples in special cases) applies, the amount shall be 90 per cent. of the amount applicable in column (2) of that Schedule in respect of the joint-claim couple plus, if applicable—

(i) any premium under Part IVA of Schedule 1;

(ii) any amounts applicable under regulation 86A(d) or, as the case may be, 86B(e) (housing costs).

(2) Where the calculation of a joint-claim couple’s applicable amount under this regulation results in a fraction of a penny that fraction shall be treated as a penny.”.

48.  In regulation 150 (amount of a jobseeker’s allowance payable), after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“(1A) In relation to a joint-claim couple jointly claiming a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, paragraph (1) shall have effect as if the references to the claimant were references to the joint-claim couple.

(1B) Where a joint-claim couple become, or cease to be, a joint-claim couple on any day other than on the first day of a benefit week, the amount payable by way of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of that benefit week shall be calculated by applying the formula in paragraph (1).”.

49.  In regulation 151 (amount of a jobseeker’s allowance payable when a person is in a residential care or nursing home)—

(a) in paragraph (1), after the words “the claimant” in both places where those words occur there shall be inserted the words “or, as the case may be, the joint-claim couple”;

(b) in paragraph (2), after the words “weekly applicable amount” there shall be inserted the words “or, as the case may be, the weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple”.

50.  In regulation 152 (relevant week)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(c)—

(i) after the words “section 19” there shall be inserted the words “or 20A”;

(ii) after the words “that claimant”, there shall be inserted the words “or the joint-claim couple”;

(b) at the beginning of paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the words “Except in a case to which paragraph (3) applies,”;

(c) after paragraph (2) there shall be added the following paragraph—

“(3) Where a joint-claim couple have an award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance and their benefit week changes, for the purpose of calculating the amounts of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable for the part-week beginning on the day after their last complete benefit week before the change and ending immediately before the change, the relevant week is the period of 7 days beginning on the day after the last complete benefit week.”.

51.  In regulation 153 (modification in the calculation of income), for the words “or regulation 88(4)” there shall be substituted the words “, regulation 88(4) or 88ZA(3)”.

52.  Regulation 155 (modification of section 15(2) of the Act) shall be renumbered regulation 155(1) and—

(a) in the renumbered paragraph (1), after the words “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” in the first place where those words occur, there shall be inserted the words “but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(b) after the renumbered paragraph (1) there shall be added the following paragraph—

“(2) In its application to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable for a part-week, section 15(2)(d) shall have effect subject to the following modification—

“(d) any payment by way of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for that period or any part of it which apart from this paragraph would be made to the nominated member for the purposes of section 3B—

(i) shall not be made, if the amount of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance which would be payable for less than a week is equal to or less than the proportion of the prescribed sum appropriate to the number of days in the part-week;

(ii) shall be at a rate equal to the difference between the amount which would be payable for a period of less than a week and the prescribed sum where that amount would be more than the prescribed sum.””.

53.—(1) Schedule 1 (applicable amounts) shall be amended in accordance with the following sub-paragraphs.

(2) In paragraph 1, for the words “and 84(1)” there shall be substituted the words “, 84(1), 86A and 86B”.

(3) In paragraph 3(1), for the words “and 84(1)(d)” there shall be substituted the words “, 84(1)(d), 86A(b) and 86B(c)”.

(4) After Part IV there shall be inserted the following Parts—

“PART IVA PREMIUMS FOR JOINT-CLAIM COUPLES

20A.   Except as provided in paragraph 20B, the weekly premium specified in Part IVB of this Schedule shall, for the purposes of regulations 86A(c) and 86B(d), be applicable to a joint-claim couple where either or both members of a joint-claim couple satisfy the condition specified in paragraphs 20E to 20J in respect of that premium.

20B.   Subject to paragraph 20C, where a member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the conditions in respect of more than one premium in this Part of this Schedule, only one premium shall be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of that member and, if they are different amounts, the higher or highest amount shall apply.

20C.— (1) The severe disability premium to which paragraph 20I applies may be applicable in addition to any other premium which may apply under this Part of this Schedule.

(2) The carer premium to which paragraph 20J applies may be applicable in addition to any other premium which may apply under this Part of this Schedule.

20D.— (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, once a premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple under this Part, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of any benefit—

(a) in the case of a benefit to which the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979(38) applies, for any period during which, apart from the provisions of those Regulations, he would be in receipt of that benefit; and

(b) for any period spent by a person in undertaking a course of training or instruction provided or approved by the Secretary of State under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973(39), or by Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise under section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990(40), or for any period during which he is in receipt of a training allowance.

(2) For the purposes of the carer premium under paragraph 20J, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of invalid care allowance by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(a) only if and for so long as the person in respect of whose care the allowance has been claimed remains in receipt of attendance allowance, or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act.

Pensioner premium where one member of a joint-claim couple has attained the age of 60

20E.   The condition is that one member of a joint-claim couple has attained the age of 60 but not the age of 75.

Higher Pensioner Premium

20F.— (1) The condition is that one member of a joint-claim couple—

(a) has attained the age of 60 but not the age of 80, and either the additional conditions specified in paragraph 20H are satisfied in respect of him; or

(b) has attained the age of 60 and—

(i) was entitled to or was treated as entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance and the disability premium was or, as the case may be, would have been applicable to him in respect of a benefit week within 8 weeks of his 60th birthday and he has, subject to sub-paragraph (2), remained continuously entitled to one of those benefits since attaining that age; or

(ii) was a member of a joint-claim couple who had been entitled to, or who had been treated as entitled to, a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance and the disability premium was or, as the case may be, would have been applicable to that couple in respect of a benefit week within 8 weeks of the 60th birthday of either member of that couple and the couple have, subject to that sub-paragraph (2), remained continuously entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance since that member attained that age.

(2) For the purpose of this paragraph and paragraph 20H—

(a) once the higher pensioner premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple, if that member then ceases, for a period of eight weeks or less, to be entitled or treated as entitled to either income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance or that couple cease to be entitled to or treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, he shall or, as the case may be, that couple shall, on becoming re-entitled to any of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continuously entitled thereto;

(b) in so far as sub-paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) is concerned, if a member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be entitled or treated as entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or that couple cease to be entitled to or treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period not exceeding eight weeks which includes the 60th birthday of either member of that couple, he shall or, as the case may be, the couple shall, on becoming re-entitled to either of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continously entitled thereto.

(3) In this paragraph, where a member of a joint-claim couple is a welfare to work beneficiary, sub-paragraphs (1)(b)(i) and (2)(b) shall apply to him as if for the words “8 weeks” there were substituted the words “52 weeks”.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, a member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated as having been entitled to income support or to an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or the couple of which he is a member shall be treated as having been entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance throughout any period which comprises only days on which a member was participating in an employment zone scheme and was not entitled to—

(a) income support because, as a consequence of his participation in that scheme, he was engaged in remunerative work or had income in excess of the claimant’s applicable amount as prescribed in Part IV of the Income Support Regulations; or

(b) a jobseeker’s allowance because, as a consequence of his participation in that scheme, he was engaged in remunerative work or failed to satisfy the condition specified in section 2(1)(c) or the couple of which he was a member failed to satisfy the condition in section 3A(1)(a).

Disability Premium

20G.   The condition is that a member of a joint-claim couple has not attained the age of 60 and satisfies any one of the additional conditions specified in paragraph 20H.

Additional Conditions for Higher Pensioner and Disability Premium

20H.— (1) The additional conditions specified in this paragraph are that a member of a joint-claim couple—

(a) is in receipt of either disabled person’s tax credit or mobility supplement;

(b) is in receipt of severe disablement allowance;

(c) is in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance or is a person whose disability living allowance is payable, in whole or in part, to another in accordance with regulation 44 of the Claims and Payments Regulations (payment of disability living allowance on behalf of third party);

(d) is in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit or is a person to whom section 30B(4) of the Benefits Act (long-term rate of incapacity benefit payable to those who are terminally ill) applies(41);

(e) has been entitled to statutory sick pay, has been incapable of work or has been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of not less than—

(i) 196 days in the case of a member of a joint-claim couple who is terminally ill within the meaning of section 30B(4) of the Benefits Act; or

(ii) 364 days in any other case,

and for these purposes, any two or more periods of entitlement or incapacity separated by a break of not more than 56 days shall be treated as one continuous period;

(f) has an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided to him by the Secretary of State under section 5(2)(a) of, and Schedule 2 to, the National Health Service Act 1977(42) or under section 46 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978(43) or provided by the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland under article 30(1) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972(44), or receives payments by way of grant from the Secretary of State under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Act of 1977 (additional provisions as to vehicles) or, in Scotland, under section 46 of the Act of 1978;

(g) is a person who is entitled to the mobility component of disability living allowance but to whom the component is not payable in accordance with regulation 42 of the Claims and Payments Regulations (cases where disability living allowance not payable);

(h) was either—

(i) in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit under section 30A(5) of the Benefits Act(45) immediately before attaining pensionable age and he is still alive; or

(ii) entitled to attendance allowance or disability living allowance but payment of that benefit was suspended in accordance with regulations under section 113(2) of the Benefits Act or otherwise abated as a consequence of either member of the joint-claim couple becoming a patient within the meaning of regulation 85(4) (special cases),

and in either case, the higher pensioner premium or disability premium had been applicable to the joint-claim couple; or

(i) is registered as blind in a register compiled by a local authority under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948(46) (welfare services), or, in Scotland, has been certified as blind and in consequence is registered as blind in a register maintained by or on behalf of a regional or islands council.

(2) In the case of a member of a joint-claim couple who is a welfare to work beneficiary, the reference in sub-paragraph (1)(e) to a period of 56 days shall be treated as a reference to a period of 52 weeks.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(i), a person who has ceased to be registered as blind on regaining his eyesight shall nevertheless be treated as blind and as satisfying the additional condition set out in that sub-paragraph for a period of 28 weeks following the date on which he ceased to be so registered.

Severe Disability Premium

20I.— (1) The condition is that—

(a) a member of a joint-claim couple is in receipt of attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act (“the qualifying benefits”); and

(b) the other member is also in receipt of such an allowance, or if he is a member of a polygamous marriage, all the partners of that marriage are in receipt of a qualifying benefit; and

(c) subject to sub-paragraph (3), there is no non-dependant aged 18 or over normally residing with the joint-claim couple or with whom they are normally residing; and

(d) either—

(i) no person is entitled to, and in receipt of, an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act in respect of caring for either member or the couple or all the members of the polygamous marriage; or

(ii) a person is engaged in caring for one member (but not both members) of the couple, or one or more but not all members of the polygamous marriage, and in consequence is entitled to an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act.

(2) Where the other member does not satisfy the condition in sub-paragraph (1)(b), and that member is blind or treated as blind within the meaning of paragraph 20H(1)(i) and (2), that member shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) as if he were not a member of the couple.

(3) The following persons shall not be regarded as non-dependant for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(c)—

(a) a person in receipt of attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act;

(b) subject to sub-paragraph (5), a person who joins the joint-claim couple’s household for the first time in order to care for a member of a joint claim couple and immediately before so joining, that member satisfied the condition in sub-paragraph (1);

(c) a person who is blind or treated as blind within the meaning of paragraph 20H(1)(i) and (2).

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), a member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated—

(a) as being in receipt of attendance allowance, or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act if he would, but for his being a patient for a period exceeding 28 days, be so in receipt;

(b) as being entitled to and in receipt of an invalid care allowance if he would, but for the person for whom he was caring being a patient in hospital for a period exceeding 28 days, be so entitled and in receipt.

(5) Sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall apply only for the first12 weeks following the date on which the person to whom that provision applies first joins the joint-claim couple’s household.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d), no account shall be taken of an award of invalid care allowance to the extent that payment of such an award is back-dated for a period before the date on which the award is made.

Carer Premium

20J.— (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), the condition is that either or both members of a joint-claim couple are entitled to and in receipt of an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act.

(2) Either or both members, as the case may be, shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) as being entitled to an invalid care allowance where—

(a) they would be in receipt of such an allowance but for any provision of the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979(47); and

(b) the claim for that allowance was made on or after 1st October 1990; and

(c) the person or persons in respect of whose care the allowance has been claimed remains or remain in receipt of attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Benefits Act.

(3) Where a carer premium is awarded but the member of the joint-claim couple in respect of whom it has been awarded ceases to be entitled to an invalid care allowance, the condition for the award of the premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of eight weeks from the date on which—

(a) where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the person in respect of whose care the invalid care allowance has been claimed ceased to be in receipt of the allowances referred to in head (c) of that sub-paragraph;

(b) in any other case, that member ceased to be entitled to an invalid care allowance.

(4) Where a member of a joint-claim couple who has been entitled to an invalid care allowance ceases to be entitled to that allowance and makes a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance jointly with the other member of that couple, the condition for the award of the carer premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of eight weeks from the date on which—

(a) where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the person in respect of whose care the invalid care allowance has been claimed ceased to be in receipt of the allowances referred to in head (c) of that sub-paragraph;

(b) in any other case, that member was last entitled to an invalid care allowance.

Member of a joint-claim couple in receipt of concessionary payments

20K.   For the purpose of determining whether a premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple under paragraphs 20H to 20J, any concessionary payment made to compensate a person for the non-payment of any benefit mentioned in those paragraphs shall be treated as if it were a payment of that benefit.

Person in receipt of benefit

20L.   For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, a member of a joint-claim couple shall be regarded as being in receipt of any benefit if, and only if, it is paid in respect of him and shall be so regarded only for any period in respect of which that benefit is paid.

PART IVB WEEKLY AMOUNTS OF PREMIUMS SPECIFIED IN PART IVA

Premium	Amount
20M.   — (1) Pensioner premium where one member of a joint-claim couple is aged over 60 and the condition in paragraph 20E is satisfied.	(1) £40.00.
(2) Higher Pensioner Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20F.	(2) £43.40.
(3) Disability Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20G.	(3) £31.75.
(4) Severe Disability Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20I(1)— 174 (i) if there is someone in receipt of an invalid care allowance or if either member satisfies that condition only by virtue of paragraph 20I(3);	(4) (i) £40.20.
(ii) if no-one is in receipt of such an allowance.	(ii) £80.40.
(5) Carer Premium.	(5) £14.15 in respect of each person who satisfied the condition specified in paragraph 20J.”

54.—(1) Schedule 2 (housing costs) shall be amended in accordance with the following sub-paragraphs.

(2) In paragraph 1A(48) (previous entitlement to income support), after sub-paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

“(1A) Where either member of a joint-claim couple was in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support not more than 12 weeks before the couple becomes entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, or, where either member is a person to whom paragraph 13(2) or (10) (linking rules) refers, not more than 26 weeks before becoming so entitled and—

(a) the applicable amount for income support included an amount in respect of housing costs under paragraph 15 or 16 of Schedule 3 to the Income Support Regulations; and

(b) the circumstances affecting the calculation of those housing costs remain unchanged since the last calculation of those costs,

the applicable amount in respect of housing costs for joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be the applicable amount in respect of those costs current when entitlement to income support was last determined.”.

(3) In paragraph 2(1) (circumstances in which a person is liable to meet housing costs), in both heads (a) and (c), after the words “or his partner” there shall be inserted the words “or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple,”.

(4) In paragraph 4 (housing costs not met)—

(a) for the words “the claimant” wherever those words occur, there shall be substituted the words “a claimant”;

(b) for sub-paragraph (2)(c)(ii) there shall be substituted the following—

“(ii) who becomes, or whose partner becomes or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, that couple become, entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance after 6th October 1996 and that entitlement is within 26 weeks of an earlier entitlement to income support for the claimant or his partner or, as the case may be, either member of the joint-claim couple.”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (4A)(49)—

(i) for the words “or his partner”, wherever those words occur, there shall be substituted the words “, his partner or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(ii) in paragraph (b), for the words “or in section 3(1)(a)” there shall be substituted the words “, 3(1)(a) or 3A(1)(a)”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (7)(b), after the words “most favourable to him” there shall be inserted the words “or, as the case may be, to the joint-claim couple of which he is a member”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (8)(ii), for the words “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted the words “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

(5) At the end of paragraph 6 (existing housing costs) there shall be added the following sub-paragraph—

“(4) Where either member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support and that couple then become entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in a case to which paragraph 1A(1A) applies, the eligible capital for the time being owing shall be recalculated on each anniversary of the date on which the housing costs were first met for whichever of the benefits concerned either member of the couple was first entitled to.”.

(6) After paragraph 7(2A)(50) (new housing costs) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

“(2B) Where either member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support and that couple then become entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in a case to which paragraph 1A(1A) applies, the eligible capital for the time being owing shall be recalculated on each anniversary of the date on which the housing costs were first met for whichever of the benefits concerned either member of the couple was first entitled to.”.

(7) In paragraph 8(1)(a) (general exclusions from paragraphs 6 and 7), after the words “or his partner” there shall be inserted the words “or either member of a joint-claim couple”.

(8) In paragraph 13 (linking rule)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1), for the words “sub-paragraph (2)” there shall be substituted the words “sub-paragraphs (2) and (2A)”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (1)(d), there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(dd) where the applicable amount of a member of a joint-claim couple was determined in accordance with paragraph 1(1) (single claimant) or paragraph 1(2) (lone parent) of Schedule 1 (applicable amounts) in respect of a past period, provided that the claim was made within twelve weeks of the joint-claimant becoming a member of the joint-claim couple, the joint-claim couple shall be treated as having been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for the same period as that member of the joint-claim couple had been treated, for the purposes of this Schedule, as having been;”;

(c) after sub-paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraphs—

“(2A) Where a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable to one member of a joint-claim couple in accordance with section 3B, both members of the couple shall be treated as receiving, or having received, a jobseeker’s allowance for the purpose of this paragraph.

(2B) Where both joint-claimants claiming a jobseeker’s allowance in respect of themselves have not been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for a period before they became a joint-claim couple, sub-paragraph (1) shall have effect in respect of that couple in relation to the period which is most favourable to the couple for the purposes of this Schedule.”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (3), after the words “or his partner”, in both places where those words occur, there shall be inserted the words “or, where a claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (3A)—

(i) after the words “or his partner”, wherever those words occur, there shall be inserted the words “or, where a claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(ii) in head (b), for the words “or in section 3(1)(a)” there shall be substituted the words “, 3(1)(a) or 3A (1)(a)”.

55.  After Schedule 4 there shall be inserted the following Schedule—

Regulation 86D

“SCHEDULE 4A APPLICABLE AMOUNT OF A JOINT-CLAIM COUPLE WHERE A MEMBER IS IN A RESIDENTIAL CARE OR NURSING HOME

1.   In this Schedule, “the relevant member” means a member of a joint-claim couple to whom regulation 86D applies.

2.   The weekly applicable amount of a joint-claim couple where one member of that couple is a relevant member shall be the aggregate of—

(a) the weekly applicable amount which is applicable to a member of the couple who is not a relevant member calculated in accordance with regulation 83(a), (c) or (e) as if that member was a single claimant;

(b) subject to paragraph 4, the weekly charge for the accommodation, including all meals and services, provided for the relevant member increased, where appropriate, in accordance with paragraph 3 but, except in a case to which paragraph 11 applies, subject to the maximum determined in accordance with paragraph 4;

(c) a weekly amount for personal expenses for the relevant member determined in accordance with paragraph 12; and

(d) where the relevant member is only temporarily in such accommodation any amount applicable under regulation 86A(d) or 86B(e) (housing costs) in respect of the dwelling normally occupied as the home.

3.— (1) Where, in addition to the weekly charge for accommodation, a separate charge is made for the provision of heating, attention in connection with bodily functions, supervision, extra baths, laundry or a special diet needed for a medical reason, the weekly charge for the purpose of paragraph 2(a) shall be increased by the amount of that charge.

(2) Where the weekly charge for the accommodation does not include the provision of all meals, it shall for the purpose of paragraph 2(a), be increased in respect of the relevant member by the following amount—

(a) if the meals can be purchased within the residential care or nursing home, the amount equal to the actual cost of the meals, calculated on a weekly basis; or

(b) if the meals cannot be so purchased, the amount calculated on a weekly basis—

(i) for breakfast, at a daily rate of £1.10;

(ii) for a midday meal, at a daily rate of £1.55; and

(iii) for an evening meal, at a daily rate of £1.55,

except that, if some or all of the meals are normally provided free of charge or at a reduced rate, the amount shall be reduced to take account of the lower charge or reduction.

4.   Where any part of the weekly charge for the accommodation is met by housing benefit, an amount equal to the part so met shall be deducted from the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 2(a).

5.   Subject to paragraph 11, the maximum referred to in paragraph 2(a) shall be in respect of each relevant member, the appropriate amount in respect of him specified in or determined in accordance with paragraphs 6 to 10.

Residential care homes

6.   Subject to paragraphs 8 to 10, where the accommodation provided for the relevant member is a residential care home for persons in need of personal care by virtue of—

(a) past or present mental disorder but excluding mental handicap, the appropriate amount shall be £234.00 per week;

(b) past or present drug or alcohol dependence, the appropriate amount shall be £234.00 per week;

(c) mental handicap, the appropriate amount shall be £266.00 per week;

(d) physical disablement, the appropriate amount shall be £303.00 per week;

(e) any condition not falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) above, the appropriate amount shall be £221.00 per week.

Nursing homes

7.   Subject to paragraphs 8 to 10, where the accommodation provided for the relevant member is a nursing home for persons in need of personal care by virtue of—

(a) past or present mental disorder but excluding mental handicap, the appropriate amount shall be £331.00 per week;

(b) mental handicap, the appropriate amount shall be £337.00 per week;

(c) past or present drug or alcohol dependence, the appropriate amount shall be £331.00 per week;

(d) physical disablement, the appropriate amount shall be £373.00 per week;

(e) terminal illness, the appropriate amount shall be £330.00 per week;

(f) any condition not falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (e), the appropriate amount shall be £330.00 per week.

8.   The appropriate amount applicable to a relevant member in a residential care home or nursing home shall, subject to paragraph 9, be determined—

(a) where the home is a residential care home registered under Part I of the Registered Homes Act 1984(51), by reference to the particulars recorded in the register kept by the relevant registration authority for the purposes of that Act; or

(b) where the home is a residential care home not so registered or a nursing home, by reference to the type of care which, taking into account the facilities and accommodation provided, the home is providing to the relevant member.

9.— (1) Where more than one amount would otherwise be applicable, in accordance with paragraph 8, to a relevant member in a residential care home or a nursing home, the appropriate amount in any case shall be determined in accordance with the following sub-paragraphs.

(2) Where the home is a residential care home registered under Part I of the Registered Homes Act 1984 and where the personal care that the relevant member is receiving corresponds to the care received by a category of residents for whom the register indicates that the home provides accommodation, the appropriate amount shall be the amount, in paragraph 6, as is consistent with that personal care.

(3) Where the home is a residential care home which is so registered but where the personal care that the relevant member is receiving does not correspond to the care received by a category of residents for whom the register indicates that the home provides accommodation, the appropriate amount shall be the lesser or least amount, in paragraph 6, as is consistent with those categories.

(4) In any case not falling within sub-paragraph (2) or (3), the appropriate amount shall be whichever amount of the amounts applicable in accordance with paragraph 6, 7 or 8 is, having regard to the types of personal care that the home provides, most consistent with the personal care being received by the relevant member in that accommodation.

10.— (1) Where the accommodation provided for the relevant member is a residential care home or a nursing home which is, in either case, situated in the Greater London area and the actual charge for that accommodation exceeds the appropriate amount in his case by virtue of the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule, the amount shall be increased by any excess up to—

(a) in the case of a residential care home, £46.00;

(b) in the case of a nursing home, £51.00.

Circumstances in which the maximum is not to apply

11.— (1) Where a relevant member who satisfied the conditions in sub-paragraph (2) has been able to meet the charges referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 without recourse to a jobseeker’s allowance, income support or supplementary benefit, the maximum determined in accordance with paragraph 5 shall not apply for the period of 13 weeks or, if alternative accommodation is found earlier, such lesser period following the date of claim except to the extent that the claimant is able to meet out of income disregarded for the purposes of Part VIII the balance of the actual charge over the maximum.

(2) The conditions for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) are that—

(a) the relevant member has lived in the same accommodation for more than 12 months;

(b) he was able to afford the charges in respect of that accommodation when he took up residence;

(c) having regard to the availability of suitable alternative accommodation and to the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 12(5)(b) of Schedule 2 (housing costs), it is reasonable that the maximum should not apply in order to allow him time to find alternative accommodation;

(d) he is not a person who is being accommodated—

(i) by a housing authority under Part III of the Housing Act 1985(52) (housing the homeless); or

(ii) by a local authority under section 20 of the Children Act 1989(53) (provision for accommodation for children: general) or, in Scotland, section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968(54) (general welfare); and

(e) he is seeking alternative accommodation and intends to leave his present accommodation once alternative accommodation is found.

(3) Where—

(a) the relevant member was a resident in a residential care home or nursing home immediately before 29th April 1985 and has continued after that date to be resident in the same accommodation, apart from any period of temporary absence;

(b) immediately before that date, the actual charge for the relevant member’s accommodation was being met either wholly or partly out of his resources, or, wholly or partly out of other resources which can no longer be made available for this purpose;

(c) since that date, the local authority have not at any time accepted responsibility for the making of arrangements for the provision of such accommodation for the relevant member; and

(d) the Secretary of State is satisfied that, unless this provision applies in the relevant member’s case, the joint-claim couple of which he is a member will suffer exceptional hardship,

the maximum amount shall be the rate specified in sub-paragraph (4) if that rate exceeds the maximum which, but for this sub-paragraph, would be determined under paragraph 5.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3), the rate is either—

(a) the actual weekly charge for the accommodation immediately before 29th April 1985 plus £10; or

(b) the aggregate of the following amounts—

(i) the amount estimated under regulation 9(6) of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983(55) as then in force as the reasonable weekly charge for the area immediately before that date;

(ii) £26.15; and

(iii) if the relevant member was entitled at that date to attendance allowance under section 64 of the Benefits Act at the higher rate £28.60 or, as the case may be, at the lower rate, £19.10,

whichever is the lower amount.

Personal allowances

12.   The allowance for personal expenses for the relevant member referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall be—

(a) for the relevant member, £15.45; and

(b) for the other member of the joint-claim couple, £15.45;

(c) for a young person aged 18, £15.00;

(d) for a young person aged under 18 but over 16, £10.40.”.

56.  In Schedule 5 (applicable amounts in special cases)—

(a) paragraph 10 (couples where one member is absent from the United Kingdom) shall be renumbered paragraph 10(1) and after the renumbered paragraph 10(1) there shall be inserted—

(i) the following sub-paragraph in column (1)—

“(2) A claimant who is a member of a joint-claim couple and whose partner is temporarily absent from the United Kingdom—

(a) in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 50(6A);

(b) in any other circumstances.”;

(ii) the following sub-paragraph in column (2)—

“(2) (a) For the first four weeks of that absence, the amount applicable to them as a couple under regulation 83 or 86 and thereafter the amount applicable to the claimant in Great Britain under regulation 83 or 86 as if the claimant were a single claimant;

(b) The amount which would be applicable to the claimant under regulation 83 or 86 if that claimant was a single claimant for the period commencing on the date of claim and ending on the day after the day on which the partner returns to the United Kingdom.”;

(b) after paragraph 17, there shall be inserted—

(i) the following paragraph in column (1)—

“Joint-claim couples where a claim is made other than jointly by both members

17A.   A joint claim couple and one member—

(a) is a person to whom regulation 3E(2)(a) applies;

(b) is a person to whom regulation 3E(2)(b) applies.”;

(ii) the following paragraph in column (2)—

“(a) The amount which would be applicable to the claimant under regulation 83 or 86 if that claimant was a single claimant for the period commencing on the day on which the member of the couple who is not the claimant fails to attend at the time and place specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations and ending on the day on which that member does so attend;

(b) The amount which would be applicable to the claimant under regulation 83 or 86 if that claimant was a single claimant.”.

57.  After Schedule 5 there shall be inserted the following Schedule—

Regulation 86C

“SCHEDULE 5A APPLICABLE AMOUNTS OF JOINT-CLAIM COUPLES IN SPECIAL CASES

Column (1)	Column (2)
Patients 1.   Subject to paragraphs 9 and 11, a joint-claim couple where one member— (a) has been a patient for more than six weeks; (b) is a member of a polygamous marriage and another member of that marriage who is not a joint-claimant has been a patient for more than six weeks.	1.— (a) The applicable amount under regulation 86A reduced by £13.50; (b) The applicable amount under regulation 86B (polygamous marriages) reduced by £13.50 in respect of each member of the polygamous marriage who is a patient.
Joint-Claim Couple Without Accommodation 2.   A joint-claim couple who are without accommodation.	2.   The amount applicable to the couple under regulation 86A(a) (personal allowance) only.
Members of Religious Orders 3.   A joint-claim couple who are both members of and fully maintained by a religious order.	3.   Nil.
Specified Cases of Temporarily Separated Joint-Claim Couples 4.   A joint-claim couple who are temporarily separated where— (a) one member is— (i) not a patient but is resident in a nursing home; (ii) resident in a residential care home; (iii) resident in premises used for the rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts; (iv) resident in accommodation provided under section 3 of, and Part II of the Schedule to, the Polish Resettlement Act 1947 (provision of accommodation in camps(56)); (v) participating in arrangements for training made under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973(57), or section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990(58) or participating in an employment rehabilitation programme established under that section of the Act of 1973, where the course requires him to live away from the dwelling occupied as the home; or (vi) in a probation or bail hostel approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State, and (b) the other member is— (i) living in the dwelling occupied as the home; (ii) a patient; (iii) in residential accommodation; or (iv) resident in a residential care home or nursing home.	4.   Either— (a) the amount applicable to the joint-claim couple under regulation 86A; or (b) the aggregate of the applicable amounts of both claimants assessed under the provisions of these Regulations as if each of them were a single claimant, whichever is the greater.
Polygamous Marriages where one or more members of the marriage are temporarily separated 5.   A joint-claim couple where one member is a member of a polygamous marriage and is temporarily separated from a partner of his, where one of them is living in the home while the other member is— (a) not a patient but is resident in a nursing home; (b) resident in a residential care home; (c) resident in premises used for the rehabilitation of alcoholics or drug addicts; (d) attending a course of training or instruction provided or approved by the Secretary of State where the course requires him to live away from home; or (e) in a probation or bail hostel approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State.	5.   Either— (a) the amount applicable to the joint-claim couple under regulation 86B; or (b) the aggregate of the amount applicable for the joint-claim couple in respect of the members of the polygamous marriage who remain in the home under regulation 86B and the amount applicable in respect of those members not in the home calculated as if each of them were a single claimant, whichever is the greater.
Joint-claim couples and members of polygamous marriages where one member is, or all are, temporarily in local authority accommodation 6.   — (1) A joint-claim couple where one member is temporarily separated from the other member where one of them is living in the home while the other is in accommodation referred to in any of sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) (excluding heads (i) and (ii) of sub-paragraph (d)) of the definition of residential accommodation in regulation 85 (special cases). (2) A joint-claim couple where one member is a member of a polygamous marriage and is temporarily separated from a partner of his where one is, or some are, living in the home while one is, or some are, in accommodation referred to in sub-paragraph (1). (3) A joint-claim couple where both members or all the members of a polygamous marriage of which a member of the joint-claim couple is a member, are in accommodation referred to in sub-paragraph (1).	6.   — (1) The aggregate of the amount applicable for the claimant who remains in the home calculated as if he were a single claimant under regulation 83, 85 or 86 and in respect of the other joint-claimant £67.50 of which £15.45 is for personal expenses. (2) The aggregate of the amount applicable for the members of the polygamous marriage who remain in the home under regulation 86B, and in respect of each member not in the home, £67.50 of which £15.45 is for personal expenses. (3) For each member of that couple or marriage £67.50 of which £15.45 is for personal expenses plus, if appropriate, the amount applicable under regulation 84A(d) and 84B(e).
Joint-claim couples where one member is absent from the United Kingdom 7.   A joint-claim couple where one member is temporarily absent from the United Kingdom— (a) in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 50(6B); (b) in any other circumstances.	7.— (a) The amount applicable to them as a couple under regulation 86A or 86D for the relevant period prescribed in regulation 50(6B). (b) For the first four weeks of that absence, the amount applicable to them as a couple under regulation 86A or 86D as the case may be and thereafter the amount applicable to the claimant in Great Britain under regulation 83 or 86 as the case may be as if that claimant were a single claimant.
Polygamous marriages where any member of the marriage is abroad 8.   A joint-claim couple where one member is a member of a polygamous marriage and— (a) he, the other member or one of his partners is; (b) he, the other member and one or more of his partners are; or (c) the other member and one or more of his partners or two or more of his partners are, temporarily absent from the United Kingdom.	8.   For the first four weeks of that absence, the amount applicable to the joint-claim couple under regulations 86B to 86D, as the case may be, and thereafter, if the joint-claim couple are in Great Britain the amount applicable to them under regulations 86B to 86D, as the case may be, as if any member of the polygamous marriage not in the United Kingdom were not a member of the marriage.
Members of joint-claim couples in residential accommodation 9.   — (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a joint-claim couple where one member is in or only temporarily absent from residential accommodation. (2) A joint-claim couple where either member is a member of a polygamous marriage and one or more members of that marriage are in or only temporarily absent from residential accommodation.	9.   — (1) £67.50 of which £15.45 is for personal expenses. (2) The amount specified in sub-paragraph (1) of this column multiplied by the number of members of the polygamous marriage in or only temporarily absent from that accommodation.
Members of joint-claim couples temporarily absent from a hostel, residential care or nursing home 10.   A joint-claim couple where a member is temporarily absent from accommodation for which he is liable to pay a retaining fee and, but for his temporary absence from that accommodation, his applicable amount would be calculated in accordance with regulation 86D (applicable amounts for joint-claim couples where a member is in a residential care or nursing home), and— (a) he is a person in accommodation referred to in any of sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of the definition of residential accommodation in regulation 85(4) (special cases) and paragraph 9 does not apply to him by reason only that his stay in that accommodation has not become other than temporary; or (b) he is a person to whom paragraph 1 (patients) applies.	10.   The amount otherwise applicable to the joint-claim couple under these Regulations may be increased to take account of the retaining fee by an amount not exceeding 80 per cent. of the applicable amount referred to in paragraph 1(1)(a) of Schedule 4A (applicable amounts of joint-claim couples where a member is in a residential care or nursing home) and any such increase shall not be for a continuous period of more than 52 weeks.
Members of joint-claim couples in residential care or nursing homes who become patients 11.   A joint-claim couple to whom regulation 86D (applicable amounts for joint-claim couples where a member is in residential care or nursing home) applies immediately before either member became a patient where— (a) that member has been a patient for not more than 2 weeks and— (i) continues to be liable to meet the weekly charge for the accommodation without reduction in respect of himself; (ii) continues to be liable to meet the weekly charge for the accommodation but at a reduced rate; or (b) that member is one member of a polygamous marriage and one or more other members of that marriage (other than the other member of the joint-claim couple) has been a patient for a period of more than 6 weeks.	11.— (a) (i) The amount which would be applicable under regulation 86D as if the claimant or the member of the family who is a patient were resident in the accommodation to which regulation 86D applies; (ii) the amount which would be applicable under regulation 86D having taken into account the reduced charge, as if the claimant or the member of the family who is a patient were resident in the accommodation to which regulation 86D applies; (b) where that member of that marriage remains in the accommodation, the amount applicable to the joint-claim couple as if regulation 86B, having taken into account any reduction in charge, continued to apply to that couple except that in respect of the member of the polygamous marriage who has been a patient for more than six weeks, no amount shall be applicable in respect of the couple under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4A and for the amount in respect of the allowance for personal expenses prescribed by paragraph 12 of Schedule 4A there shall be substituted the amount of £16.90.

Rounding of Fractions

13.   Where any calculation under this Schedule or as a result of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance being awarded for a period of less than one complete benefit week results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction shall be treated as a penny.”.

58.  After Schedule 6 there shall be inserted the following Schedule—

Regulation 88ZA(4)

“SCHEDULE 6A SUMS TO BE DISREGARDED IN THE CALCULATION OF EARNINGS OF MEMBERS OF JOINT-CLAIM COUPLES

1.— (1) In a case to which this paragraph applies, £15; but notwithstanding regulation 88ZA (calculation of income and capital of members of a joint-claim couple), if this paragraph applies to one member of a joint-claim couple, it shall not apply to the other member except where, and to the extent that, the earnings of the member which are to be disregarded under this paragraph are less than £15.

(2) This paragraph applies where the joint-claim couple’s applicable amount includes, or but for one member being an in-patient or in accommodation in a residential care home or nursing home or in residential accommodation would include, an amount by way of a disability premium under Schedule 1 (applicable amounts).

(3) This paragraph applies where—

(a) the joint-claim couple’s applicable amount would include—

(i) an amount by way of the disability premium under Schedule 1 but for the higher pensioner premium under that Schedule being applicable; or

(ii) had a member of that couple not been an in-patient or in accommodation in a residential care home or nursing home or in residential accommodation, the higher pensioner premium under that Schedule and had that been the case, the joint-claim couple would also satisfy the condition in (i) above; and

(b) either member is under the age of 60 and at least one is engaged in part-time employment.

(4) This paragraph applies where—

(a) the joint-claim couple’s applicable amount includes, or but for a member being an in-patient or in accommodation in a residential care home or nursing home or in residential accommodation would include, an amount by way of the higher pensioner premium under Schedule 1; and

(b) either member has attained the age of 60; and

(c) immediately before attaining that age either, or as the case may be both, members were engaged in part-time employment and the joint-claimant was entitled by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) or (3) to a disregard of £15; and

(d) either, or as the case may be both, members have continued in part-time employment.

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) except where paragraph (b) or (c) applies, no account shall be taken of any period not exceeding eight consecutive weeks occurring—

(i) on or after the date on which either member attained the age of 60 during which either member was, or both members were, not engaged in part-time employment or either member was, or both members were, not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance or income support; or

(ii) immediately after the date on which either member ceased to participate in arrangements for training made under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973(59) or section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990(60) or ceased to participate in an employment rehabilitation programme established under that section of the 1973 Act;

(b) in a case where either or both members have ceased to be entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance or income support because either member becomes engaged in remunerative work, no account shall be taken of any period during which either or both members were not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance or income support, not exceeding the permitted period, occurring on or after the date on which either member attained the age of 60;

(c) no account shall be taken of any period occurring on or after the date on which either member attained the age of 60 during which either or both members were not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance or income support because either or both members were participating in arrangements for training made under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973 or section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 or participating in an employment rehabilitation programme established under that section of the 1973 Act.

2.— (1) In a case where paragraph 1 does not apply to a member of a joint-claim couple and subject to sub-paragraph (2), where the joint-claim couple’s applicable amount includes an amount by way of the carer premium under Schedule 1 (applicable amounts), £15 of the earnings of the person who is, or at any time in the preceding eight weeks was, in receipt of an invalid care allowance or treated in accordance with paragraph 20J(2) of that Schedule as being in receipt of an invalid care allowance.

(2) Where the carer premium is awarded in respect of a joint-claim couple, the earnings of each member shall for the purposes of this paragraph be aggregated but the amount to be disregarded in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall not exceed £15 of the aggregated amount.

3.— (1) In the case to which neither paragraph 1 nor 2 applies to a member of a joint-claim couple (“the first member”), £15 of earnings derived from one or more employments to which paragraph 9 of Schedule 6 applies but, notwithstanding regulation 88ZA (calculation of income and capital of a joint-claim couple), if this paragraph applies to one member of a joint-claim couple it shall not apply to the other member except to the extent specified in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) If the other member is engaged in employment—

(a) specified in sub-paragraph (1), so much of his earnings as would not in aggregate with the amount of the first member’s earnings disregarded under this paragraph exceed £15;

(b) other than one specified in sub-paragraph (1), so much of his earnings from that employment up to £5 as would not in aggregate with the first member’s earnings disregarded under this paragraph exceed £15.

4.   Where a member of a joint-claim couple is engaged in one or more employments specified in paragraph 3(1) but his earnings derived from such employments are less than £15 in any week and he is also engaged in any other part-time employment, so much of his earnings from that other employment up to £5 as would not in aggregate with the amount of his earnings disregarded under paragraph 3 exceed £15.

5.   In the case of a member of a joint-claim couple who—

(a) has been engaged in employment as a member of any territorial or reserve force prescribed in Part I of Schedule 3 to the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 1979(61); and

(b) by reason of that employment, the joint-claim couple have failed to satisfy any of the conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, other than the condition in section 3A(1)(a) (income not in excess of applicable amount),

any earnings from that employment paid in respect of the period in which the joint-claim couple were not entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance.

6.— (1) In a case where none of paragraphs 1 to 5 apply, £10 but, notwithstanding regulation 88ZA (calculation of income and capital of joint-claim couples), if this paragraph applies to one member of a joint-claim couple, it shall not apply to the other member except where, and to the extent that, the earnings of the member which are to be disregarded under this sub-paragraph are less than £10.

(2) In a case where one or more of paragraphs 1 to 5 apply and the total amount disregarded under those paragraphs is less than £10, so much of the earnings of the member of a joint-claim couple as would not in aggregate with the amount disregarded under paragraphs 1 to 5 exceed £10.

7.   In this Schedule, “part-time employment” and “permitted period” shall bear the meanings prescribed respectively in paragraphs 20 and 21 of Schedule 6.”.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The Regulations contained in this Instrument are made by virtue of, or in consequence of, provisions in section 59 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30). The Instrument is made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into force of those provisions; the regulations in it are therefore exempted from the requirement in section 172(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5) to refer proposals to make these Regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee and are made without reference to that Committee.

In particular, these Regulations amend the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207) (“the principal Regulations”) to provide the mechanism whereby certain couples of a description prescribed in new regulation 3A of the principal Regulations (regulation 2(2)) (“joint-claim couples”) shall only be entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance if they make a claim for it jointly and both members comply with the conditions for entitlement to that benefit. Regulation 2(2) also provides for continuity of claims and awards when a joint-claim couple cease to be, or become, such a couple (new regulations 3B and 3C) and where a joint-claim couple may still be entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance, even though they have not made a joint claim (new regulation 3E). New regulation 3F makes provision for transitional case couples and new regulation 3G provides that information about the joint claim may be supplied to both members of the joint-claim couple.

New regulation 3D of, and Schedule A1 to, the principal Regulations (inserted by regulation 2(2) and (4) and Schedule 1) provide that an award of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance can be made, even though one member of the couple does not fulfil certain conditions of entitlement and comes within a category prescribed in Schedule A1.

Regulation 2(3) inserts a new Part IXA into the principal Regulations which prescribes circumstances when a joint-claim couple claiming a jobseeker’s allowance jointly are to be considered to be a couple in hardship for the purpose of the principal Regulations and therefore, a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance is payable to the couple in circumstances where it would not otherwise be payable.

Regulation 2(5) and Schedule 2 make other amendments to the principal Regulations. In particular, they—

• modify the definition of “partner” for the purposes of the principal Regulations to exclude most members of joint-claim couples (paragraph 1);

• prescribe a reduced amount of jobseeker’s allowance where one member of a joint-claim couple is subject to sanctions (paragraph 31);

• provide methods for determining the applicable amounts of joint-claim couples (paragraphs 34, 47, 53 to 55 and 57);

• prescribe a special applicable amount for a claimant who is a member of a joint-claim couple who does not make a joint claim in certain circumstances (paragraph 56(b));

• prescribe methods for calculating the income and capital of joint-claim couples (paragraphs 35 to 44 and 58);

• adapt the requirements for attendance of joint-claim couples (paragraphs 2 to 8);

• prescribe special arrangements and applicable amounts where one member of a joint-claim couple is temporarily absent from Great Britain on the date of claim (paragraphs 9, 13 and 56(a));

• revise the rules on waiting days (paragraph 10), jobseeking periods (paragraph 11), being in Great Britain (paragraph 13), remunerative work (paragraphs 14 to 16), young persons (paragraphs 18 to 24) and on sanctions (paragraphs 25 to 30).

The remaining paragraphs of Schedule 2 make minor consequential amendments.

These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.

(1)

1995 c. 18; sections 1(2C) and (2D), 3A, 8(1A), 13(2A), 17(1A), 20A and 20B and paragraphs 8A and 9A to 9D of Schedule 1 were inserted, and section 1(4) and paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 were amended, by section 59 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30). Section 35(1) is an interpretation provision and is cited because of the meaning ascribed to the words “employment”, “jobseeking period”, “prescribed”, “regulations” and “week”.

(2)

1992 c. 4; sections 171D and 171G(2) were inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c. 18), section 6(1) and have effect for the purposes of the Jobseekers Act by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to that Act.

(3)

1999 c. 30.

(4)

See section 173(5)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5) and section 91(3) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

(5)

S.I. 1996/207.

(6)

Section 59 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30) comes into force on 19th March 2001.

(7)

1989 c. 41.

(8)

S.I. 1999/991.

(9)

1998 c. 14.

(10)

1998 c. 14.

(11)

Regulation 13(2) was amended by S.I. 1989/1034, 1991/236 and 1559, 1992/468 and 1996/206.

(12)

Regulation 13A was inserted by S.I. 1991/2741.

(13)

Part XIIA, including sections 171D and 171E, of the Benefits Act were inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c. 18).

(14)

S.I. 1999/1494.

(15)

S.I. 1999/1131 (s.91).

(16)

S.I. 1995/1739.

(17)

1962 c. 12.

(18)

S.I. 2000/1121.

(19)

S.R. 2000/213.

(20)

S.I. 1999/351.

(21)

1986 N.I. 3.

(22)

1948 c. 29; section 29 was amended by the National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1959 (c. 30), section 1(2); the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960 (c. 61), sections 113 and 114 and Schedule 4; the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49), section 95(2) and Schedule 9, Part I; the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), sections 195(6), 272(1), Schedule 23 paragraph 2 and Schedule 30; the Employment and Training Act 1973 (c. 50), section 14(1) and Schedule 3 paragraph 3; the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), section 129 and Schedule 15 paragraph 6; the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41), section 30 and Schedule 10 Part I; the Children Act 1989 (c. 41) section 108(5) and Schedule 13 paragraph 11(2) and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19), section 44(7).

(23)

Cmnd. 9171.

(24)

Cmnd. 3906.

(25)

Regulation 26(a) was amended by S.I. 1996/1517.

(26)

Regulation 55(1) was amended by S.I. 1996/1517.

(27)

Regulation 67(1) was amended by S.I. 1996/1517.

(28)

Regulation 68 was amended by S.I. 1997/827.

(29)

Regulation 69 was substituted by S.I. 2000/239.

(30)

Regulation 72(2) was amended by S.I. 1998/1274.

(31)

Regulation 73(2A) was inserted by S.I. 1997/2863 and regulation 73(2B) was inserted by S.I. 1998/1274.

(32)

Regulation 74A was inserted by S.I. 1996/1516.

(33)

Regulation 75 was substituted by S.I. 1997/2863 and amended by S.I. 1997/454 and 1274 and 1998/1698.

(34)

Regulation 102C was inserted by S.I. 1998/1174.

(35)

Regulation 105(10) was amended by S.I. 1998/2117.

(36)

Regulation 113(3) was amended by S.I. 1998/2117.

(37)

Regulation 140(1) was amended by S.I. 1996/1516 and regulation 140(2) was amended by S.I. 1997/2863.

(38)

S.I. 1979/597.

(39)

1973 c. 50, section 2 was substituted by the Employment Act 1988, section 25(1) and amended by the Employment Act 1989 (c. 38), section 29(4), Schedule 7 Part I and by the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 (c. 19) section 47(1).

(40)

1990 c. 35.

(41)

Section 30B was inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c. 18) section 2(1).

(42)

1977 c. 49.

(43)

1978 c. 29.

(44)

S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

(45)

Section 30A was inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c. 18), section 1(1).

(46)

1948 c. 29; section 29 was amended by the National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1959 (c. 30), section 1(2); the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960 (c. 61), sections 113 and 114 and Schedule 4; the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49), section 95(2) and Schedule 9, Part I; the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), sections 195(6), 272(1), Schedule 23 paragraph 2 and Schedule 30; the Employment and Training Act 1973 (c. 50), section 14(1) and Schedule 3 paragraph 3; the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), section 129 and Schedule 15 paragraph 6; the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983 (c. 41), section 30 and Schedule 10 Part I; the Children Act 1989 (c. 41) section 108(5) and Schedule 13 paragraph 11(2) and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19), section 44(7).

(47)

S.I. 1979/597.

(48)

Paragraph 1A was inserted by S.I. 1997/2305.

(49)

Paragraph 4(4A) was inserted by S.I. 1997/2863.

(50)

Paragraph 7(2A) was inserted by S.I. 1997/2305.

(51)

1984 c. 23.

(52)

1985 c. 68.

(53)

1989 c. 41.

(54)

1968 c. 49.

(55)

S.I. 1983/1399.

(56)

1947 c. 19; Section 3(1) was amended by the Ministry of Social Security Act 1966 (c. 20), section 39(1) and Schedule 6 and by the Social Security Act 1980 (c. 30), section 20(1) and Schedule 4, paragraph 1(1)(a).

(57)

1973 c. 50; section 2 was substituted by the Employment Act 1988 (c. 19), section 25(1) and amended by section 29(4) of, and Part I of Schedule 7 to, the Employment Act 1989 (c. 38) and section 47(1) of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 (c. 19).

(58)

1990 c. 35.

(59)

1973 c. 50; section 2 was substituted by the Employment Act 1988 (c. 19), section 25(1) and amended by section 29(4) of, and Part I of Schedule 7 to, the Employment Act 1989 (c. 38) and section 47(1) of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 (c. 19).

(60)

1990 c. 35.

(61)

S.I. 1979/591; the relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1980/1975 and 1994/1553.