Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, the Statutory Sick Pay (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982 and the Social Security (Recoupment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 to make further provision for the payment of benefit by means of a benefit payment card described as an instrument for benefit payment. In particular provision is made for the circumstances in which persons may use the benefit payment card to collect benefit on the beneficiary’s behalf (regulation 2(2)(a) and (c)) and in which they or the beneficiary may be required to accept payment by this means of all the benefits then due (regulation 2(2)(d)).

The Regulations also contain consequential revocations.

These Regulations correspond to provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.