Explanatory note

These Regulations contain amendments to the Social Security (Back to Work Bonus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

In particular, regulation 21 introduces two new regulations. Regulation 25A provides that, in certain circumstances, a back to work bonus may be claimed, and awarded, in advance of the requirements for a bonus, including the work condition, being satisfied. Regulation 25B provides that where a person satisfied the requirements for a back to work bonus, but died before claiming it, the bonus may be claimed by a person appointed by the Department in place of the deceased.

Articles 28 and 36(2) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, the enabling provisions under which these Regulations are made, are brought into operation on 5th February 1996 by virtue of the Jobseekers (1995 Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 26 (C. 3)). Since these Regulations are made before the end of a period of 6 months from the commencement of the said Articles, they are, accordingly, exempt, by virtue of section 150(5)(a) of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), from reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.