Social Security Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 and come into operation on 28th February 2025. 2 The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly. Amendment of the Income Support (General) Regulations 2 1 The Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8). 2 In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)— a after the definition of “last day of the course” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In regulation 42(4ZB) (notional income) for sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) substitute— c a Windrush payment; d a Post Office compensation payment; e an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 4 In regulation 48(10) (income treated as capital) after sub-paragraph (ae) insert— af which is an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 5 In regulation 51(3B) (notional capital) for sub-paragraphs (c) to (e) substitute— c a Windrush payment; d a Post Office compensation payment; e a vaccine damage payment; f an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 6 In paragraph 18(8)(b) (non-dependant deductions) of Schedule 3 (housing costs) for “or Post Office compensation payment” substitute “, Post Office compensation payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 7 In paragraph 39 of Schedule 9 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for heads (c) and (d) substitute— c Windrush payment; d Post Office compensation payment; e LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 8 In paragraph 22 of Schedule 10 (capital to be disregarded)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) and (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 3 1 The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8). 2 In regulation 1(2) (citation, commencement, interpretation and application)— a after the definition of “last day of the course” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In regulation 105(10A) (notional income) for sub-paragraphs (ac) to (ae) substitute— ac which is a child abuse payment; ad which is a Windrush payment; ae which is a Post Office compensation payment; af which is an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 4 In regulation 110(10) (income treated as capital) after sub-paragraph (ae) insert— af which is an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 5 In regulation 113(3B) (notional capital) for sub-paragraphs (c) to (e) substitute— c a Windrush payment; d a Post Office compensation payment; e a vaccine damage payment; f an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 6 In paragraph 17(8)(b) (non-dependant deductions) of Schedule 2 (housing costs) for “or Post Office Compensation payment” substitute “, Post Office compensation payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 7 In paragraph 41 of Schedule 6 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for heads (c) and (d) substitute— c Windrush payment; d Post Office compensation payment; e LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 8 In paragraph 27 of Schedule 7 (capital to be disregarded)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) and (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Regulations 4 In regulation 2(2) of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (exempted trusts and payments)— a at the end of sub-paragraphs (m), (q), (r), (s) and (u) for “.” substitute “;” ; b after sub-paragraph (u) add— v any payment that is made under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. . Amendment of the State Pension Credit Regulations 5 1 The State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4). 2 In regulation 1(2) (citation, commencement and interpretation)— a after the definition of “the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In paragraph 14(8) (persons residing with the claimant) of Schedule 2 (housing costs) after head (bd) insert— be any LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 4 In paragraph 15 (capital disregarded for the purpose of calculating income) of Schedule 5 (income from capital)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) and (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Housing Benefit Regulations 6 1 The Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8). 2 In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)— a after the definition of “a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In regulation 39(7A) (notional income) for sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) substitute— c a Windrush payment; d a Post Office compensation payment; e an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 4 In regulation 43(6) (income treated as capital) after “a Post Office compensation payment” insert “, an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 5 In regulation 46(4A) (notional capital) for sub-paragraphs (c) to (e) substitute— c a Windrush payment; d a Post Office compensation payment; e a vaccine damage payment; f an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 6 In regulation 72(9) (non-dependant deductions) after sub-paragraph (bd) insert— be any LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 7 In paragraph 37 of Schedule 6 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for heads (c) and (d) substitute— c Windrush payment; d Post Office compensation payment; e LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 8 In paragraph 25 of Schedule 7 (capital to be disregarded)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) and (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 7 1 The Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4). 2 In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)— a after the definition of “a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In regulation 53(10) (non-dependant deductions) after sub-paragraph (bd) insert— be any LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment; . 4 In paragraph 16 of Schedule 7 (capital to be disregarded)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) and (6) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 8 1 The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8). 2 In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)— a after the definition of “last day of the course” insert— “ LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment ” means a payment under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence; ; b in the definition of “qualifying person” for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 3 In regulation 107(5A) (notional income – income due to be paid or income paid to or in respect of a third party) for sub-paragraph (d) substitute— d a Post Office compensation payment; e an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 4 In regulation 112(8)(b) (income treated as capital) for head (iv) substitute— iv Post Office compensation payment; v LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 5 In regulation 115(5A) (notional capital) for sub-paragraph (e) substitute— e a vaccine damage payment; f an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. . 6 In paragraph 19(8)(b) (non-dependant deductions) of Schedule 6 (housing costs) for “or Post Office compensation payment” substitute “, Post Office compensation payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 7 In paragraph 40 of Schedule 8 (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for head (d) substitute— d Post Office compensation payment; e LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment. ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; c in sub-paragraph (6) after “Grenfell Tower payment” insert “, a child abuse payment, a Windrush payment, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . 8 In paragraph 27 of Schedule 9 (capital to be disregarded)— a in sub-paragraph (1A) for “or vaccine damage payment” substitute “, vaccine damage payment or LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; b in each of sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) for “or a vaccine damage payment” substitute “, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” ; c in sub-paragraph (6) after “Grenfell Tower payment” insert “, a child abuse payment, a Windrush payment, a vaccine damage payment or an LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme payment” . Amendment of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) (Lump Sum Payments) Regulations 9 In regulation 7(2) of the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) (Lump Sum Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (exempted trusts and payments)— a at the end of sub-paragraphs (j), (n), (o), (p) and (r) for “.” substitute “;” ; b after sub-paragraph (r) add— s any payment that is made under the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. . Amendment of the Universal Credit Regulations 10 In regulation 76 of the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (special schemes for compensation etc.), in paragraph (1A)( , for sub-paragraphs (d) to (f) substitute— d the scheme established by the Windrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Act 2020; e the Post Office or the Secretary of State for the purpose of providing compensation or support which is— i in connection with the failings of the Horizon System, or ii otherwise payable following the judgement in Bates and Others v Post Office Limited ((No. 3) “Common Issues”); f the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme established by the Ministry of Justice in 2012 under section 47 of the Crime and Security Act 2010; or g the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Financial Recognition Scheme administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Communities on 10th February 2025 (L.S.) David Tarr A senior officer of the Department for Communities The Department of Finance hereby consents to regulations 6 and 7 of the foregoing regulations Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance on 10th February 2025 (L.S.) Patrick Neeson A senior officer of the Department of Finance