Regulation 4 Amendment of the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations

The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020^f1 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (6).

In regulation 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A)

In these regulations “coronavirus disease” means COVID-19 (the official designation of the disease which can be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)).”.

At the beginning of each of the provisions in paragraph (4) insert “Where the Department is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Department determines”.

For the purposes of paragraph (3) the provisions are—

In regulation 5 (housing benefit – modification of the rule on whether a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as their home) after “For the purposes of entitlement to housing benefit,” insert “where the Department is satisfied that it is expedient as a result of coronavirus disease and in such cases as the Department determines,”.

In regulation 6(2) (expiry) for “at the end of the period of 14 months beginning on and including 13th March 2020” substitute “on 31st August 2021”.