Explanatory note

These Regulations provide for deductions to be made from income support where a liability order, a summary warrant or a decree has been obtained against a person (the debtor) to meet the sums due in respect of council tax owed by the debtor.

The Regulations further provide that where an application to make such deductions is received by the Secretary of State from a billing or levying authority the application shall be referred to an adjudication officer. The adjudication officer shall determine whether there is sufficient income support to allow such deductions to be made. Provision is also made (in regulation 8(4)) for deductions to be made in respect of one application at a time. The Regulations also establish circumstances in which deductions should cease.

Payment of deductions is to be made so far as practicable at intervals of not more than 13 weeks by the Secretary of State to the billing or levying authority as the case may be.

Provision is also made for appeals by the debtor from the decision of the adjudication officer to the social security appeal tribunal and for further appeal by the debtor and the adjudication officer to the Social Security Commissioners and from there by the debtor, adjudication officer or Secretary of State to the Court of Appeal.

Incidental provision is made for setting aside decisions, correcting decisions, the withdrawal of applications, time limits for making appeals and applications and service of notices.