Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations provide for two pilot schemes which modify the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 so that claimants of benefits which are dependent on incapacity for work and who live in the pilot scheme areas—
may earn up to £15 a week without losing their benefit (regulation 4);
may undertake work trials for any period of up to 15 days without losing their benefit (regulation 5).
The Regulations make provision for certain claimants who move out of a pilot scheme area to continue to benefit from the pilot scheme (regulation 6).
The Regulations also make transitional provision so that at the end of the pilot scheme period claimants who have participated in the scheme may continue to benefit for a period of up to 6 months or until the work trial ends (regulation 7).
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.