# The Domestic Abuse Support (Relevant Accommodation and Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Sanctuary Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, Note: Explanatory note


(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Section 57 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 requires local authorities to ensure that the need for accommodation-based support to victims of domestic abuse in their area is assessed. Accommodation-based support is defined in that section as support, in relation to domestic abuse, provided to victims of domestic abuse, or their children, who reside in relevant accommodation. Regulation 2 of these Regulations specify what types of accommodation are relevant accommodation.
Regulation 3 amends regulation A13 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 to include an exception from under-occupancy deductions for any housing benefit claimant who is living in a social sector rented property that is adapted under a sanctuary scheme as a result of a member of that household having had domestic violence threatened or inflicted upon them. It also inserts definitions for terms used in the amendment.
Regulation 4 amends paragraph 36 of Schedule 4 to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to include an equivalent exception from under-occupancy deductions for Universal Credit claimants living in social rented sector properties adapted under a sanctuary scheme.
Regulation 5 provides that the regulation relating to universal credit has effect on 1st October 2021 if a claimant’s assessment period begins on that day and, if it does not, on the first date of a claimant’s next assessment period following 1st October 2021.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact is foreseen on the private or voluntary sectors.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/991/note (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/domestic-abuse-support-relevant-accommodation-and-housing-benefit-and-universal-credit-sanctuary-schemes-amendment-regulations-2021/note
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.