SOCIAL SECURITY Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1993 and shall come into force— a for the purposes of this regulation and regulation 5 on 29th March 1993; b for the purposes of regulation 2 and the Schedule, and regulations 9, 15 and 21 in so far as they relate to council tax or council tax benefit, on 1st April 1993; c for the purposes of regulations 3 to 8, and regulation 9 in so far as it is not already in force, on 12th April 1993; d for the purposes of regulations 10 to 14 and 16 to 20, and regulations 15 and 21 in so far as they are not already in force, on 13th April 1993. 2 Regulations 3 to 8 of these Regulations and regulation 9 except in so far as it came into force on 1st April 1993 shall have effect in relation to any particular claimant at the beginning of the first benefit week to commence for that claimant on or after 12th April 1993 which applies in his case; and for this purpose the expressions “claimant” and “benefit week” have the same meanings as in the Income Support Regulations . 3 Regulations 10 to 14 and 16 to 20 of these Regulations, and regulations 15 and 21 except in so far as they came into force on 1st April 1993 shall have effect in relation to any particular claimant— a except where sub-paragraph (b) applies, on 13th April 1993, or b where a claimant has an award of family credit or disability working allowance which is current on 12th April 1993, on the day following the expiration of that award. 4 In these Regulations— “the Disability Working Allowance Regulations ” means the Disability Working Allowance (General) Regulations 1991 ; “the Family Credit Regulations ” means the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987 ; “the Income Support Regulations” means the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 Amendments consequential on the introduction of council tax 2 The Schedule to these Regulations, which contains amendments to the Income Support Regulations, the Family Credit Regulations and the Disability Working Allowance Regulations consequential on the abolition of community charges, the introduction of council tax, and the introduction of council tax benefit in succession to community charge benefits, shall have effect. Amendment of regulation 2 of the Income Support Regulations 3 In regulation 2(1) of the Income Support Regulations (interpretation)— a after the definition of “close relative” there shall be inserted the following definition— “community charge benefit” means community charge benefits under Part VII of the Contributions and Benefits Act as originally enacted ; ; b after the definition of “concessionary payment” there shall be inserted the following definition— “the Contributions and Benefits Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ; ; c for the definition of “water charges” there shall be substituted the following definition— “water charges” means— as respects England and Wales, any water and sewerage charges under Chapter I of Part V of the Water Industry Act 1991 ; as respects Scotland, any water and sewerage charges under Schedule 11 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ; in so far as such charges are in respect of the dwelling which a person occupies as his home; . Amendment of regulation 21 of the Income Support Regulations 4 In regulation 21(3) of the Income Support Regulations (special cases) in the definition of “person from abroad” there shall be added, after sub-paragraph (g)— or h is a national of a member State and is required by the Secretary of State to leave the United Kingdom; . Amendment of regulation 21A of the Income Support Regulations 5 1 Regulation 21A of the Income Support Regulations (reductions in applicable amounts in certain cases of failure to attend courses) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In paragraph (3)— a in sub-paragraph (b) for the words “2 years” there shall be substituted the words “12 months”; b in sub-paragraph (c) for the words “two years” there shall be substituted the words “12 months”. 3 In paragraph (4)(d) the words “under a requirement to attend” shall be omitted. 4 In paragraph (5)— a for the words “only if” there shall be substituted the word “only”; b for sub-paragraph (a) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph— a if he was a member of a group of persons organised wholly or partly for the purpose of providing such assistance and he was called upon to— i provide assistance to any person whose life might have been endangered or who might have been exposed to the risk of serious bodily injury or whose health might have been seriously impaired; ii protect property of substantial value from imminent risk of serious damage or destruction; or iii assist in measures being taken to prevent a serious threat to health; and ; c in sub-paragraph (b)— i for the words “the events which may have given rise to an emergency include” there shall be substituted the words “where the events which gave rise to an emergency included”; ii after the words “mountain accident;” there shall be inserted the word “or”. 5 In paragraph (6), in the definition of “relevant course” after the words “or programme provided by” there shall be inserted the words “or on behalf of”. Amendment of regulation 42 of the Income Support Regulations 6 In regulation 42 of the Income Support Regulations (notional income) there shall be omitted— a in paragraph (3A), the words “to the scheme’s members”; and b in paragraph (3B), the words “to its members”. Amendment of Schedule 3 to the Income Support Regulations 7 In paragraph 11 of Schedule 3 to the Income Support Regulations (non-dependant deductions) in sub-paragraph (3) for the words from “where a different amount” to the end of the sub-paragraph there shall be substituted the words— where, but for this sub-paragraph, the amount that would fall to be deducted in respect of one member of a couple or polygamous marriage is higher than the amount (if any) that would fall to be deducted in respect of the other, or any other, member, the higher amount shall be deducted. . Amendment of Schedule 8 to the Income Support Regulations 8 1 Schedule 8 to the Income Support Regulations (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 After paragraph 6 there shall be inserted the following paragraphs— 6A 1 In a case to which none of paragraphs 4 to 6 applies to the claimant, and subject to sub-paragraph (2), where the claimant’s applicable amount includes an amount by way of the carer premium under Schedule 2 (applicable amounts), £15 of the earnings of the person who is, or at any time in the preceding eight weeks was, in receipt of invalid care allowance or treated in accordance with paragraph 14ZA(2) of that Schedule as being in receipt of invalid care allowance. 2 Where the carer premium is awarded in respect of the claimant and of any partner of his, their earnings shall for the purposes of this paragraph be aggregated, but the amount to be disregarded in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) shall not exceed £15 of the aggregated amount. 6B Where the carer premium is awarded in respect of a claimant who is a member of a couple and whose earnings are less than £15, but is not awarded in respect of the other member of the couple, and that other member is engaged in an employment— a specified in paragraph 7(1), so much of the other member’s earnings as would not when aggregated with the amount disregarded under paragraph 6A exceed £15; b other than one specified in paragraph 7(1), so much of the other member’s earnings from such other employment up to £5 as would not when aggregated with the amount disregarded under paragraph 6A exceed £15. . 3 In paragraph 7 for the words “4 to 6” there shall be substituted the words “4 to 6B”. 4 In paragraph 10 for the words “paragraph 6, 7,” there shall be substituted the words “paragraphs 6 to 7”. Amendment of Schedule 9 to the Income Support Regulations 9 1 Paragraph 22 of Schedule 9 to the Income Support Regulations (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In sub-paragraph (2) for the words from “only to the extent of” to the end of the sub-paragraph there shall be substituted the words— only to the extent of— a any mortgage repayments made in respect of the dwelling or premises in the period during which that income accrued; or b any council tax or water charges which the claimant is liable to pay in respect of the dwelling or premises and which are paid in the period during which that income accrued. . 3 After sub-paragraph (2) there shall be added the following sub-paragraph— 3 The definition of “water charges” in regulation 2(1) shall apply to sub-paragraph (2) with the omission of the words “in so far as such charges are in respect of the dwelling which a person occupies as his home”. . Amendment of regulation 2 of the Family Credit Regulations 10 In regulation 2(1) of the Family Credit Regulations (interpretation) — a after the definition of “close relative” there shall be inserted the following definition— “community charge benefit” means community charge benefits under Part VII of the Contributions and Benefits Act as originally enacted ; ; b after the definition of “concessionary payment” there shall be inserted the following definition— “the Contributions and Benefits Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ; ; c after the definition of “training allowance” there shall be inserted the following definition— “water charges” means— as respects England and Wales, any water and sewerage charges under Chapter I of Part V of the Water Industry Act 1991 ; as respects Scotland, any water and sewerage charges under Schedule 11 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ; . Amendment of regulation 16 of the Family Credit Regulations 11 1 Regulation 16 of the Family Credit Regulations (normal weekly income other than earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In paragraph (1) for the words “paragraph (2)” there shall be substituted the words “paragraphs (2) and (2A)”. 3 In paragraph (2)— a for the words “his family” there shall be substituted the words “the claimant’s family”; b after the words “weekly income shall” there shall be inserted the words “, except where paragraph (2A) applies,”. 4 After paragraph (2) there shall be added the following paragraph— 2A Where a claimant’s income consists of child support maintenance, his normal weekly income in respect of that maintenance shall be determined— a if before the date of claim those maintenance payments are made at regular intervals, by reference to the normal weekly amount; b if they are not so made, by reference to the average of such payments received in the 13 weeks immediately preceding the week in which the date of claim falls, and if the resulting sum exceeds the amount of child support maintenance due under the maintenance assessment, the normal weekly income shall be the amount due under the maintenance assessment. . 5 At the end of the regulation there shall be added the following paragraph— 4 In this regulation— a “child support maintenance” means such periodical payments as are referred to in section 3(6) of the Child Support Act 1991 ; b “maintenance assessment” has the same meaning as in the Child Support Act 1991 by virtue of section 54 of that Act. . Amendment of regulation 19 of the Family Credit Regulations 12 In regulation 19(2) of the Family Credit Regulations (earnings of employed earners) after sub-paragraph (c) there shall be added the following sub-paragraph— d any statutory maternity pay or a corresponding benefit under any enactment having effect in Northern Ireland. . Amendment of regulation 27 of the Family Credit Regulations 13 In regulation 27(3) of the Family Credit Regulations (modifications in respect of children and young persons) after the words “of that child or young person” there shall be inserted the words “, other than income consisting of any payment of maintenance whether under a court order or not,”. Insertion of regulation 51A of the Family Credit Regulations 14 After regulation 51 of the Family Credit Regulations there shall be inserted the following regulation— Reduced benefit direction 51A 1 The following occurences shall be changes of circumstances which affect an award of family credit and the rate at which it is payable— a a reduced benefit direction given by a child support officer under section 46(5) of the Child Support Act 1991; b the cessation or cancellation of a reduced benefit direction under Part IX of the maintenance regulations; c the suspension of a reduced benefit direction under regulation 48(1) of the maintenance regulations; d the removal of a suspension imposed under paragraph (1) of regulation 48 of the maintenance regulations in accordance with paragraph (3) of that regulation. 2 In this regulation— a “child support officer” means a person appointed in accordance with section 13 of the Child Support Act 1991; b “the maintenance regulations” means the Child Support (Maintenance Assessment Procedure) Regulations 1992 . Amendment of Schedule 2 to the Family Credit Regulations 15 1 Schedule 2 to the Family Credit Regulations (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 16 for the words from “only to the extent of” to the end of the sub-paragraph there shall be substituted the words— only to the extent of— a any mortgage repayments made in respect of the dwelling or premises in the period during which that income accrued; or b any council tax or water charges which the claimant is liable to pay in respect of the dwelling or premises and which are paid in the period during which that income accrued. . 3 At the end of the Schedule there shall be added the following paragraphs— 49 Any council tax benefit. 50 Any guardian’s allowance. . Amendment of regulation 2 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 16 In regulation 2(1) of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations (interpretation) — a after the definition of “close relative” there shall be inserted the following definition— “community charge benefit” means community charge benefits under Part VII of the Contributions and Benefits Act as orginally enacted ; ; b after the definition of “concessionary payment” there shall be inserted the following definition— “the Contributions and Benefits Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ; ; c after the definition of “training allowance” there shall be inserted the following definition— “water charges” means— a as respects England and Wales, any water and sewerage charges under Chapter I of Part V of the Water Industry Act 1991 ; b as respects Scotland, any water and sewerage charges under Schedule 11 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ; . Amendment of regulation 18 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 17 1 Regulation 18 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations (normal weekly income other than earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In paragraph (1) for the words “paragraph (2)” there shall be substituted the words “paragraphs (2) and (2A)”. 3 In paragraph (2)— a for the words “his family” there shall be substituted the words “the claimant’s family”; b after the words “weekly income shall” there shall be inserted the words “, except where paragraph (2A) applies,”. 4 After paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph— 2A Where a claimant’s income consists of child support maintenance, his normal weekly income in respect of that maintenance shall be determined— a if before the date of claim those maintenance payments are made at regular intervals, by reference to the normal weekly amount; b if they are not so made, by reference to the average of such payments received in the 13 weeks immediately preceding the week in which the date of claim falls, and if the resulting sum exceeds the amount of child support maintenance due under the maintenance assessment, the normal weekly income shall be the amount due under the maintenance assessment. . 5 At the end of the regulation there shall be added the following paragraph— 4 In this regulation— a “child support maintenance” means such periodical payments as are referred to in section 3(6) of the Child Support Act 1991 ; b “maintenance assessment” has the same meaning as in the Child Support Act 1991 by virtue of section 54 of that Act. . Amendment of regulation 21 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 18 In regulation 21(2) of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations (earnings of employed earners) after sub-paragraph (c) there shall be added the following sub-paragraph— d any statutory maternity pay or a corresponding benefit under any enactment having effect in Northern Ireland. . Amendment of regulation 30 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 19 In regulation 30(3) of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations (modifications in respect of children and young persons) after the words “of that child or young person” there shall be inserted the words “, other than income consisting of any payment of maintenance whether under a court order or not,”. Insertion of regulation 56A of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 20 After regulation 56 of the Disability Working Allowance Regulations there shall be inserted the following regulation— Reduced benefit direction 56A 1 The following occurrences shall be changes of circumstances which affect an award of disability working allowance and the rate at which it is payable— a a reduced benefit direction given by a child support officer under section 46(5) of the Child Support Act 1991; b the cessation or cancellation of a reduced benefit direction under Part IX of the maintenance regulations; c the suspension of a reduced benefit direction under regulation 48(1) of the maintenance regulations; d the removal of a suspension imposed under paragraph (1) of regulation 48 of the maintenance regulations in accordance with paragraph (3) of that regulation. 2 In this regulation— a “child support officer” means a person appointed in accordance with section 13 of the Child Support Act 1991; b “the maintenance regulations” means the Child Support (Maintenance Assessment Procedure) Regulations 1992 . Amendment of Schedule 3 to the Disability Working Allowance Regulations 21 1 Schedule 3 to the Disability Working Allowance Regulations (sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings) shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation. 2 In sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 16 for the words from “only to the extent of” to the end of the sub-paragraph there shall be substituted the words— only to the extent of— a any mortgage repayments made in respect of the dwelling or premises in the period during which that income accrued; or b any council tax or water charges which the claimant is liable to pay in respect of the dwelling or premises and which are paid in the period during which that income accrued. . 3 At the end of the Schedule there shall be added the following paragraphs— 47 Any council tax benefit. 48 Any guardian’s allowance. . Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Social Security. Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security 22nd February 1993