2013 No. 612
The Fines, Council Tax and Community Charges (Deductions from Universal Credit and Other Benefits) Regulations 2013
Made
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 24 and 30(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 19911, section 113(1) of, and paragraphs 1 and 6 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 8 to, the Local Government Finance Act 19922 and section 32(1), (2) and (4) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (“the 2012 Act”)3.
In so far as these Regulations are made under section 32 of the 2012 Act, they have not been referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee because they are made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the coming into force of that section4.
Citation and commencement1
1
These Regulations may be cited as the Fines, Council Tax and Community Charges (Deductions from Universal Credit and Other Benefits) Regulations 2013.
2
They come into force on 29th April 2013.
Amendment of the Fines (Deductions from Income Support) Regulations 19922
The Fines (Deductions from Income Support) Regulations 19925 are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 6.
Amendment of regulation 1(2)3
1
Regulation 1(2)(interpretation) is amended as follows.
2
After the definition of “the 1998 Act” insert—
“the 2012 Act” means the Welfare Reform Act 2012;
3
After the definition of “application” insert—
“assessment period” means the period prescribed by regulation 21 of the UC Regulations;
4
In the definition of “contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance”, after “1995” insert “as amended by the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 14 to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-based allowance or under Part 1 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
5
At the end of the definition of “contributory employment and support allowance” add “as amended by the provisions of Schedule 3, and Part 1 of Schedule 14, to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-related allowance or under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
6
In the definition of “payments to third parties”, after “Claims and Payments Regulations” insert “Schedule 6 to the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 20136,”.
7
After the definition of “tribunal” insert—
“the UC Regulations” means the Universal Credit Regulations 20137;
“universal credit” means universal credit under Part 1 of the 2012 Act;
Amendment of regulation 24
In regulation 2 (application for deductions from income support etc.)—
a
in the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”;
b
in paragraph (1), after “income support,” in both places insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of regulation 45
1
Regulation 4 (deductions from offender’s income support etc.) is amended as follows.
2
In the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”.
3
After paragraph (1) insert—
1A
Subject to paragraphs (1C) and (1D) and regulation 7, where the Secretary of State receives an application from a court in respect of an offender who is entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may deduct from the universal credit payable to the offender an amount permitted by paragraph (1B) and pay that amount to the court towards satisfaction of the fine or the sum required to be paid by compensation order.
1B
The amount that may be deducted under paragraph (1A) is any sum which is no less than 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance for the offender for the assessment period in question under regulation 36 of the UC Regulations but no greater than £108.35.
1C
No amount may be deducted under paragraph (1A) where it would reduce the amount of universal credit payable to the offender to less than 1 penny.
1D
For the purpose of paragraph (1B), where 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction is to be disregarded if it is less than half a penny and otherwise it is to be treated as a penny.
4
For paragraph (2) substitute—
2
Subject to paragraph (3) and regulation 7, where—
a
the Secretary of State receives an application from a court in respect of an offender who is entitled to contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance or contributory employment and support allowance; and
b
the amount of that allowance payable, before any deduction under this paragraph, is 10 pence or more,
the Secretary of State may deduct a sum from that allowance, up to the appropriate maximum specified in paragraph (2A), and pay that sum to the court towards satisfaction of the fine or the sum required to be paid by compensation order.
2A
The appropriate maximum is 40 per cent. of the appropriate age-related amount for the offender specified—
a
where the offender is entitled to contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance, in regulation 79 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 or, as the case may be, regulation 49 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 20138;
b
where the offender is entitled to contributory employment and support allowance, in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations or, as the case may be, regulation 62(1)(b) of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 20139.
5
Omit paragraph (4).
6
The amendment made by paragraph (4) does not have effect in respect of an application received by the Secretary of State from the court in respect of an offender before the day on which these Regulations come into force.
Amendment of regulation 76
In regulation 7 (circumstances, time of making and termination of deductions)—
a
in paragraph (1), for “regulation 4” substitute “regulation 4(1) or (2)”;
b
after paragraph (1) insert—
1A
The Secretary of State may make deductions from universal credit under regulation 4(1A) only if—
a
the offender is entitled to universal credit throughout any assessment period; and
b
no deductions are being made in respect of the offender under any other application.
c
in paragraphs (2)(b), (3), (4) and (6), after “income support,” each time those words occur insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of the Council Tax (Deductions from Income Support) Regulations 19937
The Council Tax (Deductions from Income Support) Regulations 199310 are amended in accordance with regulations 8 to 12.
Amendment of regulation 1(2)8
1
Regulation 1(2)(interpretation) is amended as follows.
2
After the definition of “the 1998 Act” insert—
“the 2012 Act” means the Welfare Reform Act 2012;
3
After the definition of “application” insert—
“assessment period” means the period prescribed by regulation 21 of the UC Regulations;
4
In the definition of “contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance”, after “1995” insert “as amended by the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 14 to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-based allowance or under Part 1 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
5
At the end of the definition of “contributory employment and support allowance” add “as amended by the provisions of Schedule 3, and Part 1 of Schedule 14, to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-related allowance or under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
6
After the definition of “tribunal” insert—
“the UC Regulations” means the Universal Credit Regulations 2013;
“universal credit” means universal credit under Part 1 of the 2012 Act;
Amendment of regulation 29
In regulation 2 (application for deductions from income support etc.: England and Wales)—
a
in the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”;
b
after “income support,” in both places insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of regulation 310
In regulation 3 (application for deductions from income support etc.: Scotland)—
a
in the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”;
b
after “income support,” in both places insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of regulation 511
1
Regulation 5 (deductions from debtor’s income support etc.) is amended as follows.
2
In the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”.
3
After paragraph (1) insert—
1A
Subject to paragraphs (1B) and (1C) and regulation 8, where the Secretary of State receives an application from an authority in respect of a debtor who is entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may deduct from the universal credit payable to the debtor an amount equal to 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance and pay that sum to the authority towards satisfaction of any outstanding sum which is, or forms part of, the amount in respect of which the liability order was made or the summary warrant or decree was granted.
1B
No amount may be deducted under paragraph (1A) where it would reduce the amount of universal credit payable to the debtor to less than 1 penny.
1C
For the purpose of paragraph (1A), where 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction is to be disregarded if it is less than half a penny and otherwise it is to be treated as a penny.
1D
In paragraphs (1A) and (1C), “appropriate universal credit standard allowance” means the appropriate universal credit standard allowance for the debtor for the assessment period in question under regulation 36 of the UC Regulations.
4
For paragraph (2) substitute—
2
Subject to regulation 8, where—
a
the Secretary of State receives an application from an authority in respect of a debtor who is entitled to contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance or contributory employment and support allowance; and
b
the amount of that allowance payable, before any deduction under this paragraph, is 10 pence or more,
the Secretary of State may deduct a sum from that allowance, up to the appropriate maximum specified in paragraph (2A), and pay that sum to the authority towards satisfaction of any outstanding sum which is, or forms part of, the amount in respect of which the liability order was made or the summary warrant or decree was granted.
2A
The appropriate maximum is 40 per cent. of the appropriate age-related amount for the debtor specified—
a
where the debtor is entitled to contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance, in regulation 79 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 or, as the case may be, regulation 49 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 2013;
b
where the debtor is entitled to contributory employment and support allowance, in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 200811 or, as the case may be, regulation 62(1)(b) of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013.
5
Omit paragraph (3).
6
The amendment made by paragraph (4) does not have effect in respect of an application received by the Secretary of State from an authority in respect of a debtor before the day on which these Regulations come into force.
Amendment of regulation 812
In regulation 8 (circumstances, time of making and termination of deductions)—
a
in paragraph (1), for “regulation 5” substitute “regulation 5(1) or (2)”;
b
after paragraph (1) insert—
1A
The Secretary of State may make deductions from universal credit under regulation 5(1A) only if—
a
the debtor is entitled to universal credit throughout any assessment period;
b
no deductions are being made in respect of the debtor under any other application; and
c
in paragraphs (2), (3) and (5), after “income support,” each time those words occur insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of the Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support)(No.2) Regulations 199013
The Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support)(No.2) Regulations 199014 are amended in accordance with regulations 14 to 17.
Amendment of regulation 1(2)14
1
Regulation 1(2)(interpretation) is amended as follows.
2
After the definition of “appropriate social security office” insert—
“assessment period” means the period prescribed by regulation 21 of the UC Regulations;
3
At the end of the definition of “payments to third parties” add “or Schedule 6 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations,”.
4
After the definition of “tribunal” insert—
“the UC Regulations” means the Universal Credit Regulations 2013;
“the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations” means the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013;
“universal credit” means universal credit under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012;
Amendment of regulation 215
In regulation 2 (application for deductions from income support etc.)—
a
in the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”;
b
in paragraph (1), after “income support,”, in both places, insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of regulation 316
1
Regulation 3 (deductions from debtor’s income support etc.) is amended as follows.
2
In the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”
3
After paragraph (1) insert—
1A
Subject to paragraphs (1B), (1C) and (4A) and regulation 4, where the Secretary of State receives an application from an authority in respect of a debtor who is entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may deduct an amount from the universal credit payable to the debtor which is equal to 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance and pay that sum to the authority towards satisfaction of any outstanding sum which is, or forms part of, the amount in respect of which the liability order was made.
1B
No amount may be deducted under paragraph (1A) where it would reduce the amount of universal credit payable to the debtor to less than 1 penny.
1C
For the purpose of paragraph (1A), where 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction is to be disregarded if it is less than half a penny and otherwise it is to be treated as a penny.
1D
In paragraphs (1A) and (1C), “appropriate universal credit standard allowance” means the appropriate universal credit standard allowance for the debtor for the assessment period in question under regulation 36 of the UC Regulations.
4
After paragraph (4) insert—
4A
Before making a deduction under paragraph (1A), the Secretary of State must make any deduction which falls to be made in respect of a liability mentioned in paragraph 5(2)(a) to (c) of Schedule 6 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations.
Amendment of regulation 417
In regulation 4 (circumstances, time of making and determination of deductions)—
a
in paragraph (1)(a), for “regulation 3” substitute “regulation 3(1) or (2)”;
b
after paragraph (1) insert—
1A
The Secretary of State may make deductions from universal credit under regulation 3(1A) only if—
a
the debtor is entitled to universal credit throughout any assessment period; and
b
no deductions are being made in respect of the debtor under any other application.
c
in paragraph (2), after “income support,” each time those words occur, insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of the Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support)(Scotland) Regulations 198918
The Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support)(Scotland) Regulations 198915 are amended in accordance with regulations 19 to 22.
Amendment of regulation 1(2)19
1
Regulation 1(2)(interpretation) is amended as follows.
2
After the definition of “the 1998 Act” insert—
“the 2012 Act” means the Welfare Reform Act 2012;
3
After the definition of “appropriate social security office” insert—
“assessment period” means the period prescribed by regulation 21 of the UC Regulations;
4
At the end of the definition of “contributory employment and support allowance” add “as amended by the provisions of Schedule 3, and Part 1 of Schedule 14, to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-related allowance or under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
5
In the definition of “contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance”, after “1995” insert “as amended by the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 14 to the 2012 Act that remove references to an income-based allowance or under Part 1 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 as it has effect apart from those amendments”.
6
At the end of the definition of “payments to third parties” add “or Schedule 6 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations,”;
7
After the definition of “state pension credit” insert—
“the UC Regulations” means the Universal Credit Regulations 2013;
“the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations” means the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2013;
“universal credit” means universal credit under Part 1 of the 2012 Act;
Amendment of regulation 220
In regulation 2 (application for deductions from income support etc.)—
a
in the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”;
b
in paragraphs (1) and (2)(e), after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”.
Amendment of regulation 321
1
Regulation 3 (deductions from debtor’s income support etc.) is amended as follows.
2
In the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”.
3
After paragraph (1) insert—
1A
Subject to paragraphs (1B), (1C) and (4A) and regulation 4, where the Secretary of State receives an application from an authority in respect of a debtor who is entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may deduct an amount from the universal credit payable to the debtor which is equal to 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance and pay that sum to the authority towards satisfaction of any outstanding sum which is or forms part of the amount in respect of which the summary warrant or decree was granted.
1B
No amount may be deducted under paragraph (1A) where it would reduce the amount of universal credit payable to the debtor to less than 1 penny.
1C
For the purpose of paragraph (1A), where 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction is to be disregarded if it is less than half a penny and otherwise it is to be treated as a penny.
1D
In paragraphs (1A) and (1C), “appropriate universal credit standard allowance” means the appropriate universal credit standard allowance for the debtor for the assessment period in question under regulation 36 of the UC Regulations.
4
After paragraph (4) insert—
4A
Before making a deduction under paragraph (1A), the Secretary of State must make any deduction which falls to be made in respect of a liability mentioned in paragraph 5(2)(a) to (c) of Schedule 6 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations.
Amendment of regulation 422
In regulation 4 (circumstances, time of making and determination of deductions)—
a
in paragraph (1), for “regulation 3” substitute “regulation 3(1) or (2)”;
b
after paragraph (1) insert—
1A
The Secretary of State may make deductions from universal credit under regulation 3(1A) only if—
a
the debtor is entitled to universal credit throughout any assessment period; and
b
no deductions are being made in respect of the debtor under any other application.
c
in paragraph (2), after “income support,” each time those words occur insert “universal credit,”.
Signed by the authority of the of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
(This note is not part of the Regulations)