16.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—
(a)a person (“P2”) has been appointed, or treated as appointed, under regulation 33(1) of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987(1) (“the 1987 Regulations”) (persons unable to act) to exercise rights and to receive and deal with sums payable on behalf of a person who is unable to act (“P1”); or
(b)a person (“P2”) has been appointed under regulation 18(3) of the Tax Credits (Claims and Notifications) Regulations 2002 (“the 2002 Regulations”) (circumstances where one person may act for another in making a claim – other appointed persons) to act for a person who is unable to act (“P1”) in making a claim for a tax credit.
(2) Where this paragraph applies and P1 is, or may be, entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may, if P2 agrees, treat the appointment of P2 as if it were made under regulation 57(1) of the Claims and Payments Regulations (persons unable to act) and P2 may carry out the functions set out in regulation 57(4) of those Regulations in relation to P1.
(3) Paragraph (4) applies where a person (“P2”) was appointed, or treated as appointed, under regulation 57(1) of the Claims and Payments Regulations to carry out functions in relation to a person who is unable to act (“P1”) and who was, or might have been, entitled to universal credit, but who has ceased to be so entitled, or was not in fact so entitled.
(4) Where this paragraph applies—
(a)the Secretary of State may, if P2 agrees, treat the appointment of P2 as if it were made under regulation 33(1) of the 1987 Regulations and P2 may exercise rights and receive and deal with sums payable in respect of existing benefits on behalf of P1; and
(b)the Board (within the meaning of the 2002 Regulations) may, if P2 agrees, treat the appointment of P2 as if it were made under regulation 18(3) of the 2002 Regulations and P2 may act for P1 in making a claim for a tax credit.
Regulation 33(1) has been amended by S.I. 1999/2572, 2005/337 and 2007/2470.