
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 and come into force on 8th April 2020.
1A. 
In these Regulations “coronavirus disease” means COVID-19 (the official designation of the disease which can be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)).
2 

(1) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Secretary of State determines, the Regulations in paragraph (2) are to be read as if the definition of  “prisoner” did not include a person on temporary release in accordance with the provisions of the Prison Act 1952.
(2) The Regulations are—
(a) the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 ;
(b) the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 ;
(c) the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 ;
(d) the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 ; and
(e) the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 .
3 

(1) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Secretary of State determines, the following provisions are to be read as if the words  “the Prison Act 1952 or” were omitted—
(a) regulation 16(3)(b)(ii) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 ;
(b) regulation 5(1)(c)(iii) of the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002; and
(c) regulation 156(4)(b)(ii) of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008.
(2) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Secretary of State determines, regulation 78(3)(b)(ii) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996  is to be read as if the words  “the provisions of the Prison Act 1952 or” were omitted.
4 
Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Secretary of State determines, regulation 15(1)(b) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 is to be read as if the words  “the provisions of the Prison Act 1952 or” were omitted.
5 
For the purposes of entitlement to housing benefit,  where the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Secretary of State determines, the following provisions are to be read as if the words  “the Prison Act 1952 or” were omitted—
(a) regulation 7(14) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 ; and
(b) regulation 7(14) of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 .
6 

(1) The Secretary of State must keep the operation of these Regulations under review.
(2) These Regulations cease to have effect  on 31st August 2021.
Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Will Quince

Minister for Welfare Delivery

Department for Work and Pensions
