
2016 No. 254
Welfare
The Welfare Supplementary Payment (Loss of Disability-Related Premiums) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016
Made 29th June 2016
Coming into operation 20th July 2016
The Department for Communities makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Article 137 of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015  and now vested in it .In accordance with Article 137(5) of that Order, a draft of these Regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.
PART 1 Introduction
Citation and commencement
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Loss of Disability-Related Premiums) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.
(2) These Regulations come into operation on 20th July 2016.
Interpretation
2 

(1) In these Regulations—
 “the 1998 Order” means the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 ;
 “the 2015 Order” means the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015;
 “the Transitional Provisions Regulations” means the Personal Independence Payment (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 .
 “the administrative period” means the period beginning on 31st March 2020 and ending on the day the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 are made;
 “appeal tribunal” means the appeal tribunal constituted under Chapter 1 of Part II of the 1998 Order;
 “award” in relation to disability living allowance, means the award having effect immediately prior to its termination under regulation 17(1) of the Transitional Provisions Regulations;
 “Commissioner” means the Chief Social Security Commissioner or any other Social Security Commissioner and includes a tribunal of 2 or more Commissioners constituted under Article 16(7) of the 1998 Order;
 “couple” (except in regulation 28(7)) has the same meaning as in Article 45 of the 2015 Order;
 “decision notice” means the decision notice under regulation 53(3) of the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 .
 “disability living allowance” means disability living allowance under section 71 of the Contributions and Benefits Act ;
 “income support” means income support under section 122 of the Contributions and Benefits Act;
 “transfer claimant” has the same meaning as in the Transitional Provisions Regulations;
 “transitional assessment determination” means the determination, under regulation 4 of the Personal Independence Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016  of a claim for personal independence payment made by a transfer claimant;
 “welfare benefit” has the same meaning as in Article 101(7) of the 2015 Order;
(2) The transition date is the date on which—
(a) the Department sends a notification to the person in accordance with regulation 3(1) of the Transitional Provisions Regulations inviting the person to make a claim for personal independence payment; or
(b) the person makes a claim for personal independence payment in accordance with regulation 4 of the Transitional Provisions Regulations.
(3) Where the date mentioned in regulation 10(1), 19(1), 26(1), 32(1), 38(1) or 43(2) is in the administrative period, that provision’s requirement that welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from that date is to be read as a requirement that welfare supplementary payment must not be paid for times on or after that date.
(4) Where the last day of the week mentioned in regulation 9(1), 18(1), 25(1), 31(1) or 37(1) is a day in the administrative period, that provision’s requirement that welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of that week is to be read as a requirement that welfare supplementary payment must not be paid for times after the end of that week.
Welfare supplementary payment
3 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment is payable in accordance with these Regulations.
(2) Welfare supplementary payment is payable on the transition from disability living allowance to personal independence payment under—
(a) Part 2 (for loss of disability-related premiums for income support claimants),
(b) Part 3 (for loss of disability-related premiums for jobseeker's allowance claimants),
(c) Part 4 (for loss of disability-related premiums for employment and support allowance claimants),
(d) Part 5 (for loss of disability-related element of working tax credit),
(e) Part 6 (for loss of severe disability component of state pension credit).
(3) But a person is not entitled to more than one welfare supplementary payment under these Regulations at a time.
Welfare supplementary payment and universal credit
3A. 

(1) If a person who is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under regulation 3 is or becomes entitled to universal credit, the person continues to be entitled to welfare supplementary payment.
(2) Where the person becomes entitled to universal credit as a member of a couple who are entitled to the award as joint claimants, the couple are entitled to the welfare supplementary payment under paragraph (1); and references to a person’s entitlement to welfare supplementary payment are to be construed accordingly.
(3) If the person ceases to be entitled to universal credit, and is not receiving state pension credit under the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002, welfare supplementary payment under these Regulations must cease to be paid to that person from the date on which the entitlement to universal credit ceases.
PART 2 Welfare Supplementary Payment for loss of Disability-Related Premium on transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (Income Support claimants)
Eligibility
4 

(1) A person is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if the person meets—
(a) the IS entitlement condition,
(b) the disability-related premium entitlement condition,
(c) the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The IS entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of income support on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of disability-related premium on the transition date.
(4) In this Part disability-related premium means—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 11,
(b) severe disability premium under paragraph 13, or
(c) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 13A,of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 .
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(6) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: disability premium and enhanced disability premium)
5 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the IS entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of disability premium or enhanced disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition, and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The IS entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of income support on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of disability premium or enhanced disability premium is that the person is in receipt of—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 11,
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 13A,of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: severe disability premium)
6 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the IS entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition (but this is subject to paragraph (6)), and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The IS entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of income support on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium is that the person is in receipt of severe disability premium under paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
(6) Paragraph (8) applies where—
(a) A does not meet the PIP refusal condition,
(b) B meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(c) B meets the blind condition on the transition date.
(7) The blind condition is that the person is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist.
(8) Where this paragraph applies, the termination of disability-related premium condition is met if, in consequence of the matters set out in paragraph (6), the decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a higher rate is superseded by a decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a lower rate.
Amount
7 

(1) The amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the disability-related premium which was payable to the person on the date entitlement to the premium is lost.
(2) Where regulation 6(8) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the difference between the severe disability premium payable at the higher rate and the severe disability premium payable at the lower rate.
Period of payment
8 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must be paid at intervals of four weeks (or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that) in arrears  , unless in any case or class of case in which a person is entitled to universal credit the Department arranges otherwise .
(2) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day on which the person's entitlement to disability-related premium terminates.
(3) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) one year after the day on which it commences, or
(b) on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of loss of income support
9 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of the week in which the conditions for payment of income support cease to be met in relation to the person.
(2) But this is subject to the provisions in Part 7 on temporary cessation of underlying benefits.
Termination of payment on award of disability-related premium
10 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person from the date the person is entitled to disability-related premium.
(2) The entitlement to disability-related premium must arise out of—
(a) a new award of disability-related premium,
(b) a revision under Article 10 of the 1998 Order,
(c) a supersession of a previous decision under Article 11 of the 1998 Order, or
(d) an appeal under Article 13 of the 1998 Order.
PART 3 Welfare Supplementary Payment for loss of Disability-Related Premium on transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (Jobseeker's Allowance claimants)
Eligibility
11 

(1) A person is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if the person meets—
(a) the JSA entitlement condition,
(b) the disability-related premium entitlement condition,
(c) the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The JSA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance under the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995  on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of disability-related premium on the transition date.
(4) In this Part disability-related premium means—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 13,
(b) severe disability premium under paragraph 15, or
(c) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 15A,of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 .
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(6) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: disability premium and enhanced disability premium)
12 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the JSA entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of disability premium or enhanced disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition, and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The JSA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance under the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of disability premium or enhanced disability premium is that the person is in receipt of—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 13 , or
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 15A ,of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996, on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: severe disability premium)
13 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the JSA entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition (but this is subject to paragraph (6)), and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The JSA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance under the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium is that the person is in receipt of severe disability premium under paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996  on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
(6) Paragraph (8) applies where—
(a) A does not meet the PIP refusal condition,
(b) B meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(c) B meets the blind condition on the transition date.
(7) The blind condition is that the person is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist.
(8) Where this paragraph applies, the termination of disability-related premium condition is met if, in consequence of the matters set out in paragraph (6), the decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a higher rate is superseded by a decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a lower rate.
Eligibility (joint-claim couples: disability premium and enhanced disability premium)
14 

(1) A joint-claim couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) they meet the joint-claim JSA entitlement condition,
(b) they meet the disability-related premium entitlement condition,
(c) one of them meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) they meet the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The joint-claim JSA entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance as a joint-claim couple under the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of disability-related premium on the transition date.
(4) In this Part and notwithstanding regulation 11(4), where eligibility for welfare supplementary payment is under this regulation, disability-related premium means—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 20G ,
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 20IA ,of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, a person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(6) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
(7) Where a joint-claim couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this regulation, payment must be to the person who is the nominated member in accordance with Article 5 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 .
(8) In this regulation  “joint-claim couple” has the same meaning as in the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
Eligibility (joint-claim couples: severe disability premium)
15 

(1) A joint-claim couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) they meet the joint-claim JSA entitlement condition,
(b) they meet the disability-related premium entitlement condition,
(c) one of them meets the PIP refusal condition (but this is subject to paragraph (7)), and
(d) they meet the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The joint-claim JSA entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance as a joint-claim couple under the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of disability-related premium on the transition date.
(4) In this Part and notwithstanding regulation 11(4), where eligibility for welfare supplementary payment is under this regulation, disability-related premium means severe disability premium under paragraph 20I of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996 .
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(6) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
(7) Paragraph (9) applies where—
(a) one member of the couple does not meet the PIP refusal condition,
(b) the other member (B) meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(c) B meets the blind condition on the transition date.
(8) The blind condition is that the person is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist.
(9) Where this paragraph applies, the termination of disability-related premium condition is met if, in consequence of the matters set out in paragraph (7), the decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a higher rate is superseded by a decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a lower rate.
(10) Where a joint-claim couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this regulation, payment must be to the person who is the nominated member in accordance with Article 5 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
(11) In this regulation  “joint-claim couple” has the same meaning as in the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
Amount
16 

(1) The amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the disability-related premium which was payable to the person on the date entitlement to the premium is lost.
(2) Where regulation 13(8) or 15(9) apply, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the difference between the severe disability premium payable at the higher rate and the severe disability premium payable at the lower rate.
Period of payment
17 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must be paid at intervals of four weeks (or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that) in arrears  , unless in any case or class of case in which a person is entitled to universal credit the Department arranges otherwise .
(2) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day on which the person's entitlement to disability-related premium terminates.
(3) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) one year after the day on which it commences, or
(b) on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of loss of jobseeker's allowance
18 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of the week in which the conditions for payment of jobseeker's allowance under the Jobseeker's (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 cease to be met in relation to the person.
(2) But this is subject to the provisions in Part 7 on temporary cessation of underlying benefits.
Termination of payment on award of disability-related premium
19 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person from the date the person is entitled to disability-related premium.
(2) The entitlement to disability-related premium must arise out of—
(a) a new award of disability-related premium,
(b) a revision under Article 10 of the 1998 Order,
(c) a supersession of a previous decision under Article 11 of the 1998 Order, or
(d) an appeal under Article 13 of the 1998 Order.
PART 4 Welfare Supplementary Payment for loss of Disability-Related Premium on transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (Employment and Support Allowance claimants)
Eligibility
20 

(1) A person is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if the person meets—
(a) the ESA entitlement condition,
(b) the disability-related premium entitlement condition,
(c) the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The ESA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of employment and support allowance under the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007  on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of disability-related premium on the transition date.
(4) In this Part disability-related premium means—
(a) severe disability premium under paragraph 6,
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 7,of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 .
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(6) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: enhanced disability premium)
21 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the ESA entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of enhanced disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition, and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The ESA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of employment and support allowance under the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of enhanced disability premium is that the person is in receipt of enhanced disability premium under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
Eligibility (couples: severe disability premium)
22 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the ESA entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition (but this is subject to paragraph (6)), and
(e) A meets the termination of disability-related premium condition.
(2) The ESA entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of employment and support allowance under the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related premium entitlement condition in respect of severe disability premium is that the person is in receipt of severe disability premium under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related premium.
(5) The termination of disability-related premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability-related premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability-related premium.
(6) Paragraph (8) applies where—
(a) A does not meet the PIP refusal condition,
(b) B meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(c) B meets the blind condition on the transition date.
(7) The blind condition is that the person is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist.
(8) Where this paragraph applies, the termination of disability-related premium condition is met if, in consequence of the matters set out in paragraph (6), the decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a higher rate is superseded by a decision of the Department to award severe disability premium at a lower rate.
Amount
23 

(1) The amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the disability-related premium which was payable to the person on the date entitlement to the premium is lost.
(2) Where regulation 22(8) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the difference between the severe disability premium payable at the higher rate and the severe disability premium payable at the lower rate.
Period of payment
24 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must be paid at intervals of four weeks (or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that) in arrears  , unless in any case or class of case in which a person is entitled to universal credit the Department arranges otherwise .
(2) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day on which the person's entitlement to disability-related premium terminates.
(3) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) one year after the day on which it commences, or
(b) on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of loss of employment and support allowance
25 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of the week in which the conditions for payment of employment and support allowance under the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 cease to be met in relation to the person.
(2) But this is subject to the provisions in Part 7 on temporary cessation of underlying benefits.
Termination of payment on award of disability-related premium
26 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person from the date the person is entitled to disability-related premium.
(2) The entitlement to disability-related premium must arise out of—
(a) a new award of disability-related premium,
(b) a revision under Article 10 of the 1998 Order,
(c) a supersession of a previous decision under Article 11 of the 1998 Order, or
(d) an appeal under Article 13 of the 1998 Order.
PART 5 Welfare Supplementary Payment for loss of Disability-Related Element on transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (Working Tax Credit claimants)
Eligibility
27 

(1) A person is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if the person meets—
(a) the WTC entitlement condition,
(b) the disability-related element entitlement condition
(c) the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) the termination of disability-related element condition.
(2) The WTC entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of working tax credit under the Tax Credit Act 2002  on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related element entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of disability-related element on the transition date.
(4) In this Part disability-related element means severe disability element under regulation 17 of the Working Tax Credit (Entitlement and Maximum Rate) Regulations 2002 .
(5) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related element.
(6) The termination of disability-related element condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision to award disability-related element is revised (within the meaning of section 16 or 18 of the Tax Credit Act 2002 ) to a decision to not award disability-related element.
Eligibility (joint claims: couples)
28 

(1) A couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) they meet the joint claim WTC entitlement condition,
(b) they meet the disability-related element entitlement condition,
(c) one of them meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) they meet the termination of disability-related element condition.
(2) The joint claim WTC entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of working tax credit under a joint claim under the Tax Credit Act 2002 on the transition date.
(3) The disability-related element entitlement condition is that they are in receipt of disability-related element on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, a person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability-related element.
(5) The termination of disability-related element condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision is revised (within the meaning of section 16 or 18 of the Tax Credit Act 2002) to a decision to not award disability-related element.
(6) Where a couple are entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this regulation, payment must be to the person who is the prescribed member in accordance with regulation 4(3) of the Tax Credits (Payments by the Board) Regulations 2002 .
(7) In this regulation  “couple” has the same meaning as in section 3(5A) of the Tax Credit Act 2002 .
Amount
29 
The amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the disability-related element which was payable to the person on the date entitlement to the element is lost.
Period of payment
30 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must be paid at intervals of four weeks (or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that) in arrears  , unless in any case or class of case in which a person is entitled to universal credit the Department arranges otherwise .
(2) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day on which the person's entitlement to disability-related element terminates.
(3) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) one year after the day on which it commences, or
(b) on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of loss of working tax credit
31 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of the week in which the conditions for payment of working tax credit under the Tax Credit Act 2002 cease to be met in relation to the person.
(2) But this is subject to the provisions in Part 7 on temporary cessation of underlying benefits.
Termination of payment on award of disability-related element
32 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person from the date the person is entitled to disability-related element.
(2) The entitlement to disability-related premium must arise out of—
(a) a new award of disability-related element,
(b) a revision under section 16 or 18 of the Tax Credit Act 2002, or
(c) an appeal.
PART 6 Welfare Supplementary Payment for loss of severe disability component on transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (State Pension Credit claimants)
Eligibility
33 

(1) A person is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if the person meets—
(a) the SPC entitlement condition,
(b) the severe disability component entitlement condition,
(c) the PIP refusal condition, and
(d) the termination of severe disability component condition.
(2) The SPC entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of state pension credit under the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002  on the transition date.
(3) The severe disability component entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of severe disability component on the transition date.
(4) In this Part severe disability component means the additional amount (in respect of the appropriate minimum guarantee) prescribed under regulation 6(4) of the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003  for persons treated as severely disabled persons.
(5) In paragraph (4) the appropriate minimum guarantee has the same meaning as in section 2(3) of the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.
(6) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to severe disability component.
(7) The termination of severe disability component condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award severe disability component is superseded by a decision to not award severe disability component.
Eligibility (couples)
34 

(1) A person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment under this Part if—
(a) A is a member of a couple with another person (B),
(b) A meets the SPC entitlement condition,
(c) A meets the severe disability component entitlement condition,
(d) A or B meet the PIP refusal condition (but this is subject to paragraph (6)), and
(e) A meets the termination of severe disability component condition.
(2) The SPC entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of state pension credit under the State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 on the transition date.
(3) The severe disability component entitlement condition is that the person is in receipt of severe disability component on the transition date.
(4) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to severe disability component.
(5) The termination of severe disability component condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award severe disability component is superseded by a decision to not award severe disability component.
(6) Paragraph (8) applies where—
(a) one member of the couple does not meet the PIP refusal condition,
(b) the other member meets the PIP refusal condition, and
(c) the other member meets the blind condition on the transition date.
(7) The blind condition is that the person is certified as severely sight impaired or blind by a consultant ophthalmologist.
(8) Where this paragraph applies, the termination of severe disability component condition is met if, in consequence of the matters set out in paragraph (6), the decision of the Department to award severe disability component at a higher rate is superseded by a decision of the Department to award severe disability component at a lower rate.
Amount
35 

(1) The amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the severe disability component which was payable to the person on the date entitlement to the component is lost.
(2) Where regulation 34(8) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable is equal to the difference between the severe disability component payable at the higher rate and the severe disability component payable at the lower rate.
Period of payment
36 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must be paid at intervals of four weeks (or as soon as is reasonably practicable after that) in arrears  , unless in any case or class of case in which a person is entitled to universal credit the Department arranges otherwise .
(2) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day on which the person's entitlement to severe disability component terminates.
(3) The period during which welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) one year after the day on which it commences, or
(b) on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of loss of state pension credit
37 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the end of the week in which the conditions for payment of state pension credit under State Pension Credit Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 cease to be met in relation to the person.
(2) But this is subject to the provisions in Part 7 on temporary cessation of underlying benefits.
Termination of payment on award of severe disability component
38 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person from the date the person is entitled to severe disability component.
(2) The entitlement to severe disability component must arise out of—
(a) a new award of severe disability component,
(b) a revision under Article 10 of the 1998 Order,
(c) a supersession of a previous decision under Article 11 of the 1998 Order, or
(d) an appeal under Article 13 of the 1998 Order.
PART 6A WELFARE SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENT WHERE A COUPLE SEPARATES
Application of this Part
38A. 

(1) This Part applies where—
(a) A and B were a couple,
(b) on or after 20 July 2016, A and B ceased to be a couple, and
(c) immediately before that, A was entitled to welfare supplementary payment under Parts 2 to 6.
(2) In this Part, the welfare supplementary payment to which A was entitled is referred to as “the old WSP”.
(3) In the case of welfare supplementary payment to which A or B is entitled by virtue of regulations 38B to 38D,  the period during which it is payable does not include any times after the year given for the old WSP by regulation 8(2), 17(2), 24(2), 30(2) or 36(2).
Disability premium
38B. 

(1) This regulation applies where the old WSP was in respect of a disability premium.
(2) In this regulation, a disability premium means—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 11 of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987,
(b) disability premium under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, or
(c) disability premium under paragraph 20G of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.
(3) If both A and B met—
(a) the PIP refusal condition, and
(b) the loss of disability premium condition,
then A and B are each separately entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment) when they cease to be a couple.
(4) Where paragraph (3) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to each A and B is equal to half the old WSP.
(5) If only one member of the couple (“the eligible member”) met—
(a) the PIP refusal condition, and
(b) the loss of disability premium condition,
then only the eligible member is entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment) when they cease to be a couple.
(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, then immediately after A and B cease to be a couple, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to the eligible member is equal to the old WSP.
(7) Where paragraph (5) applies, then when the eligible member makes an application for a welfare benefit as a single person, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to the eligible member is equal to the amount of disability premium which would have been payable to the eligible member on the transition date if the eligible member had not been a member of a couple on the date entitlement to the premium was lost.
(8) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to disability premium.
(9) The loss of disability premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award disability premium is superseded by a decision to not award disability premium.
Enhanced disability premium
38C. 

(1) This regulation applies where the old WSP was in respect of an enhanced disability premium.
(2) In this regulation, an enhanced disability premium means—
(a) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 13A of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987,
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 15A of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,
(c) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 20IA of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, or
(d) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
(3) If both A and B met—
(a) the PIP refusal condition, and
(b) the loss of enhanced disability premium condition,
then A and B are each separately entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment) when they cease to be a couple.
(4) Where paragraph (3) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to each A and B is equal to half the old WSP.
(5) If one member of the couple (“the eligible member”) met—
(a) the PIP refusal condition, and
(b) the loss of enhanced disability premium condition,
then only the eligible member is entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment) when they cease to be a couple.
(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, then immediately after A and B cease to be a couple, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to the eligible member is equal to the old WSP.
(7) Where paragraph (5) applies, then when the eligible member makes an application for a welfare benefit as a single person, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to the eligible member is equal to the amount of enhanced disability premium which would have been payable to the eligible member on the transition date if the eligible member had not been a member of a couple on the date entitlement to the premium was lost.
(8) The PIP refusal condition is that following a transitional assessment determination, the person is refused personal independence payment, or the component of personal independence payment, that is a condition for entitlement to enhanced disability premium.
(9) The loss of enhanced disability premium condition is that, in consequence of the PIP refusal condition, the decision of the Department to award enhanced disability premium is superseded by a decision to not award enhanced disability premium.
Severe disability premium
38D. 

(1) This regulation applies where the old WSP was in respect of a severe disability premium.
(2) In this regulation, a severe disability premium means—
(a) severe disability premium under paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987,
(b) severe disability premium under paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,
(c) severe disability premium under paragraph 20I of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996,
(d) severe disability premium under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, or
(e) the additional amount (in respect of the appropriate minimum guarantee) prescribed under regulation 6(4) of the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 for persons treated as severely disabled persons.
(3) A and B are each separately entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment), when they cease to be a couple, but this is subject to paragraphs (5) and (6).
(4) Where paragraph (3) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to each A and B is half the old WSP.
(5) If a person becomes entitled to a severe disability premium in consequence of ceasing to be a member of a couple, then in accordance with regulations 10, 19, 26 or 38, that person must cease to be paid  (or, as the case may be, from then on must not be paid) welfare supplementary payment.
(6) If A is entitled to welfare supplementary payment because B satisfies the blind condition, as set out in regulations 6(6), 13(6), 15(7), 22(6) or 34(6), as the case may be, then when A and B cease to be a couple, only A is entitled to welfare supplementary payment (under the Part to which A was originally entitled to welfare supplementary payment) when they cease to be a couple.
(7) Where paragraph (6) applies, the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable to A is equal to the old WSP.
PART 7 Miscellaneous
Termination of welfare supplementary payment on determination of appeal against refusal of personal independence payment
39 

(1) This regulation applies where a person appeals (within the meaning of Article 13 of the 1998 Order ) against the refusal of personal independence payment referred to in Parts 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
(2) Welfare supplementary payment under those Parts must cease to be paid from the day after the first payment of welfare supplementary payment following the date on which the decision notice of the appeal tribunal is received by the Department.
(2A) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the person becomes entitled to welfare supplementary payment under regulation 14 of the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Loss of Disability Living Allowance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 consequent upon that appeal.
(2B) Where the date on which the decision notice is received by the Department is in the administrative period, paragraph (2) has effect as if for “must cease to be paid from the day after the first payment of welfare supplementary payment following” there were substituted “must not be paid for times after”.
(3) Where a person is granted leave to make an appeal from a decision of the appeal tribunal to refuse personal independence payment to the Commissioner, further welfare supplementary payment under those Parts is payable as set out in paragraphs (4) and (5).
(4) The period during which further welfare supplementary payment is payable commences on the day following the day that leave to appeal to the Commissioner is granted.
(5) The period during which  further welfare supplementary payment is payable ends—
(a) after the first payment following the date on which the decision of the Commissioner is received by the Department, or
(b)  on  on 31st March 2028  ,
whichever is first to occur.
(6) But the period during which further welfare supplementary payment is payable does not include any times in the administrative period.
(7) Where the date the Commissioner’s decision is received by the Department is in the administrative period, paragraph (5) has effect as if for “after the first payment following” there were substituted “on”.
Termination of welfare supplementary payment on change in personal independence payment
40 

(1) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid to a person if there is a change in the entitlement to personal independence payment of—
(a) the person, or
(b) (subject to paragraph (2)), where the person is a member of a couple, the other member of that couple.
(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply if the other member of the couple was not entitled to personal independence payment on the   first day of the year  given by regulation 8(2), 17(2), 24(2), 30(2) or 36(2) .
(3) Payment must cease from the day after the first payment of welfare supplementary payment following that change.
(3A) Where that change occurs in the administrative period, this regulation has effect—
(a) as if in paragraph (1) for “must cease to be paid to a person if” there were substituted “must not be paid to a person for times after the day on which”, and
(b) as if paragraph (3) were omitted.
(4) In this regulation, a change in entitlement to personal independence payment includes—
(a) personal independence payment being awarded where it was not previously awarded, and
(b) a change in the award of personal independence payment.
Temporary cessation of the underlying benefit
41 

(1) This regulation applies where—
(a) welfare supplementary payment ceases to be paid to a person because an underlying benefit ceases to be paid  or welfare supplementary payment would have ceased to be paid for that reason but for the operation of regulation 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) or 36(3)(b) ,
(b) the person makes a new claim for that underlying benefit,
(c) that claim is made within 12 weeks of the original underlying benefit ceasing, and
(d) that claim is successful.
(2) Welfare supplementary payment restarts from the date that entitlement to the underlying benefit restarts  or, if that date is in the administrative period, from the end of the administrative period .
(3) The period between welfare supplementary payment ceasing  (whether because an underlying benefit ceases to be paid or under regulation 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) or 36(3)(b)) and restarting  (under paragraph (2)) counts towards the maximum 1 year period in which welfare supplementary payment is payable.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), where a person is a member of a couple, paragraph (1)(b) is satisfied if either member of the couple makes the claim.
(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply if the other member of the couple was not entitled to personal independence payment on the   first day of the year  given by regulation 8(2), 17(2), 24(2), 30(2) or 36(2) .
(6) In this regulation  “underlying benefit” means income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance (within the meaning of Article 3(4) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995), employment and support allowance (under section 1(2)(b) of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007), working tax credit or state pension credit.
(7) The references in paragraphs (1) and (3) to regulations 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) and 36(3)(b) are references to those provisions as they were in force at the date on which the underlying benefit ceased to be paid.
Temporary cessation of an underlying benefit with equivalent disability-related premium
42 

(1) This regulation applies where—
(a) welfare supplementary payment ceases to be paid to a person because an underlying benefit (“the original underlying benefit”) ceases to be paid,  or welfare supplementary payment would have ceased to be paid for that reason but for the operation of regulation 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) or 36(3)(b),
(b) the person makes a new claim for a different underlying benefit,
(c) the different underlying benefit has an equivalent disability-related premium to the premium, element or amount (as the case may be) in respect of which welfare supplementary payment was being paid,
(d) that claim is made within 12 weeks of the original underlying benefit ceasing, and
(e) that claim is successful.
(2) Welfare supplementary payment restarts from the date that entitlement to the different underlying benefit starts  or, if that date is in the administrative period, from the end of the administrative period .
(3) The amount of welfare supplementary payment is equal to the welfare supplementary payment in respect of the premium, element or amount (as the case may be) associated with the original underlying benefit.
(4) The period between welfare supplementary payment ceasing  (whether because an underlying benefit ceases to be paid or under regulation 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) or 36(3)(b)) and restarting  (under paragraph (2)) counts towards the maximum 1 year period in which welfare supplementary payment is payable.
(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where a person is a member of a couple, paragraph (1)(b) is satisfied if either member of the couple makes the claim.
(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply if the other member of the couple was not entitled to personal independence payment on the   first day of the year  given by regulation 8(2), 17(2), 24(2), 30(2) or 36(2) .
(7) In this regulation  “underlying benefit” means income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance (within the meaning of Article 3(4) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995), employment and support allowance (under section 1(2)(b) of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007), working tax credit or state pension credit.
(8) For the purposes of this regulation, the following are equivalent disability-related premiums—
(a) disability premium under paragraph 11 of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 ,
(b) disability premium under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996 ,
(c) disability premium under paragraph 20G of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996 .
(9) For the purposes of this regulation, the following are equivalent disability-related premiums—
(a) severe disability premium under paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 ,
(b) severe disability premium under paragraph 15 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996 ,
(c) severe disability premium under paragraph 20I of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland)1996 ,
(d) severe disability premium under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 ,
(e) severe disability element under regulation 17 of the Working Tax Credit (Entitlement and Maximum Rate) Regulations 2002 ,
(f) the additional amount (in respect of the appropriate minimum guarantee) prescribed under regulation 6(4) of the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 for persons treated as severely disabled persons.
(10) For the purposes of this regulation, the following are equivalent disability-related premiums—
(a) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 13A of Schedule 2 to the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 ,
(b) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 15A of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 ,
(c) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 20IA of Schedule 1 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 ,
(d) enhanced disability premium under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
(11) The references in paragraphs (1) and (4) to regulations 8(3)(b), 17(3)(b), 24(3)(b), 30(3)(b) and 36(3)(b) are references to those provisions as they were in force at the date on which the original underlying benefit ceased to be paid.
Termination of welfare supplementary payment where couple becomes entitled to disability-related premium
43 

(1) This regulation applies where—
(a) a person (A) is entitled to welfare supplementary payment,
(b) A forms a couple with another person (B) who is not entitled to welfare supplementary payment, and
(c) A or B (or A and B in the case of a joint-claim couple as referred to in Part 3, or a joint claim as referred to in Part 5) are awarded—
(i) disability-related premium referred to in Part 2, 3 or 4
(ii) disability-related element referred to in Part 5, or
(iii) severe disability component referred to in Part 6.
(2) Welfare supplementary payment must cease to be paid from the date A or B (or A and B in the case of a joint-claim couple or a joint claim) are entitled to the disability-related premium, disability-related element or severe disability component (as the case may be).
Persons forming a couple where there are equivalent disability-related premiums
44 

(1) This regulation applies where—
(a) a person A is entitled to welfare supplementary payment,
(b) a person B is entitled to welfare supplementary payment,
(c) the welfare supplementary payments of A and B are in respect of equivalent disability-related premiums,
(d) A and B form a couple, and
(e) A or B (or A and B in the case of a joint-claim couple as referred to in Part 3, or a joint claim as referred to in Part 5) are awarded an underlying benefit.
(2) Where the underlying benefit has an equivalent disability-related premium to the premium, element or amount (as the case may be) A and B were originally entitled to, then—
(a) A is entitled to welfare supplementary payment of an amount equal to 50% of that equivalent disability-related premium, and
(b) B is entitled to welfare supplementary payment of an amount equal to 50% of that equivalent disability-related premium.
(3) Where the new underlying benefit does not have an equivalent disability-related premium to the premium, element or amount (as the case may be) A and B were originally entitled to, then there is no change in welfare supplementary payments to A and B.
(4) In this regulation  “equivalent disability-related premiums” and  “underlying benefit” have the same meaning as in regulation 42.
Persons to whom welfare supplementary payments may be made
44A. 

(1) A welfare supplementary payment to which a person is entitled under these Regulations must be paid to the person, but this is subject to paragraph (2).
(2) Payment may be made to a person appointed under regulation 33 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987.
Effect of sanctions
44B. 
For the avoidance of doubt, where a person is subject to a benefit sanction (for example for failure to take part in a work-focused interview), the effect of the sanction is to be disregarded in calculating the amount of welfare supplementary payment payable.
Information sharing
44C. 

(1) The Department may supply to the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs such information as they may require for the purposes of HMRC functions.
(2) The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs may supply to the Department such information as the Department may require for the purposes of functions relating to the payment and administration of welfare supplementary payments.
(3) Information supplied under this regulation must not be supplied by the recipient of the information to any other person or body without—
(a) the authority of the Department, in the case of information supplied under paragraph (1),
(b) the authority of the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, in the case of information supplied under paragraph (2).
(4) Where information supplied under this regulation has been used for the purposes for which it was supplied, it is lawful for it to be used for any purposes for which information held for those purposes could reasonably be used.
(5) This regulation does not limit the circumstances in which information may be supplied apart from this regulation.
(6) In this regulation “HMRC functions” means any function—
(a) for which the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are responsible by virtue of section 5 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, or
(b) which relates to a matter listed in Schedule 1 to that Act.
Review
45 

(1) The Department must establish procedures for reviewing a person's entitlement to welfare supplementary payment under these Regulations.
(2) The procedures established must—
(a) provide for a review to be carried out on the application of any person,
(b) provide for the manner of making the application.
(3) The procedures may, in particular, provide for—
(a) the consideration of the applicant's entitlement to welfare supplementary payment by up to three persons nominated by the Department,
(b) the preparation of a report by these persons setting out their conclusions in relation to the applicant's entitlement to welfare supplementary payment and their recommendation as to the manner in which the matter should be finally determined.
Disregards
46 
No account must be taken of entitlement to welfare supplementary payment in considering a person's entitlement to benefit under a statutory provision relating to social security (irrespective of the name or nature of the benefit).
Residency
47 
A person is not entitled to welfare supplementary payment unless the person—
(a) is ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland; and
(b) is present in Northern Ireland.
Temporary absence from Northern Ireland
48 

(1) Subject to regulation 49, where a person is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland, the person is treated as present in Northern Ireland for the purpose of these Regulations for the first 4 weeks of absence.
(2) A person is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland if, at the beginning of the period of absence, the person's absence is unlikely to exceed 52 weeks.
Temporary absence from Northern Ireland to receive medical treatment
49 

(1) Where a person is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland, the person is treated as present in Northern Ireland for the purposes of these Regulations for the first 13 weeks of that absence, where—
(a) the person's absence is solely in connection with arrangements made for the medical treatment of the person for a disease or bodily or mental disablement which commenced before the person left Northern Ireland; and
(b) the arrangements referred to in sub-paragraph (a) relate to medical treatment—
(i) outside Northern Ireland,
(ii) during the period whilst the person is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland, and
(iii) by, or under the supervision of, a person appropriately qualified to carry out that treatment.
(2) In this regulation  “temporarily absent” has the same meaning as in regulation 48(2).
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Communities on 29th June 2016
Brian Doherty

A senior officer of the
Department for Communities
