Social Security Citation, commencement, application and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Benefits (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 and come into operation on 10th May 2023. 2 These Regulations apply in relation to an application that is made on or after the date on which these Regulations come into operation— a for a deduction for a fuel item under paragraph 6 (Fuel Costs) of Schedule 8A to the 1987 Regulations or paragraph 8 (Fuel Costs) of Schedule 5 to the 2016 Regulations; b for supersession in relation to a deduction for a fuel item that is in place under either paragraph on or after that date, and to any decision made on such an application. 3 In these Regulations— “ the 1987 Regulations ” means the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 ; “ the 2016 Regulations ” means the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 ; “ fuel item ” has the same meaning as in paragraph 6 of Schedule 8A to the 1987 Regulations or paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 5 to the 2016 Regulations; “ supersession ” means a supersession decision under section 11 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 . Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2 1 The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 are amended in accordance with paragraph 2. 2 In paragraph 6 (Fuel Costs) of Schedule 8A (deductions from benefits and direct payments to third parties)— a In sub-paragraph (1), for “paragraph (8)” substitute “paragraphs (3A) and (8)” . b In sub-paragraph (2)(b), for “equal to” substitute “not more than” . c After sub-paragraph (2), insert— 3A The Department may only include an amount under sub-paragraph (2)(b) in the amount deductible if— a an application for a determination under sub-paragraph (1) or (4)(a) is made by the person or body to whom payment is due; and b except where the application is for a reduction in the amount deductible, the beneficiary consents to the application. . Amendment of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payment) Regulations 3 1 The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 are amended in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5. 2 In paragraph 8 (Fuel Costs) of Schedule 5 (deductions from benefits and direct payments to third parties) 3 In sub-paragraph (3), for “(5) and (6)” substitute “(4A), (5) and (6)” . 4 In sub-paragraph (4)(b), for “equal to” substitute “not more than” . 5 After sub-paragraph (4), insert— 4A The Department may only make deductions under sub-paragraph (4)(b) if— a an application for deductions is made by the person to whom the payment is due; and b except where the application is for a reduction in the amount of a deduction, the claimant consents to the application. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Communities on 19th April 2023 (L.S.) David Tarr A senior officer of the Department for Communities