Regulations made by the Department for Communities and laid before the Assembly under Article 102(1A) of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 for approval of the Assembly before the expiration of six months from the date of their coming into operation.
2024 No. 58
Social Security
The Benefit Cap (Annual Limit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
Made 20th March 2024
Coming into operation in accordance with regulation 1
The Department for Communities makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 101(5) and (5B), 101A(1) and (2) of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015. The Secretary of State has made Regulations under section 96A(4) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, which amend section 96(5A)(b) of that Act and the Department exercises the power to make corresponding Regulations amending Article 101(5A) of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015.
Citation, commencement and interpretation
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Benefit Cap (Annual Limit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.
(2) These Regulations come into operation on 21st March 2024.
(3) The amendments made by regulations 2 and 3 apply in relation to an award of universal credit whenever made but only in relation to each assessment period in respect of that award which begins on or after 10th April 2023.
(4) The amendments made by regulations 2 and 4 apply only on and after 3rd April 2023 in relation to housing benefit in respect of rent payable at intervals of a week or any multiple of a week.
(5) In this regulation “housing benefit” means housing benefit under section 129 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992.
Amendment of the Welfare Reform Order
2 
In Article 101(5A) of the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (benefit cap) for “£20,000 or £13,400” substitute “£22,020 or £14,753”.
Amendment of the Universal Credit Regulations
3 
In regulation 80A(2) of the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (relevant amount)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a) for “£13,400” substitute “£14,753”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b) for “£20,000” substitute “£22,020”.
Amendment of the Housing Benefit Regulations
4 
In regulation 73CA(2) of the Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (determination of the relevant amount)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a) for “£13,400” substitute “£14,753”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b) for “£20,000” substitute “£22,020”.
Revocation
5 
The Benefit Cap (Annual Limit) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 are revoked.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Communities on 20th March 2024
(L.S.)Paddy Rooney
A Senior officer of the Department for Communities
