Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967), the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207), the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1792), the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/213), the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/214), the Council Tax Benefit Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/215) and the Council Tax Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/216) (“the income-related benefit regulations”).

The income-related benefit regulations provide that a person is ineligible for benefit where he or she is a “person from abroad”, that is to say where he or she is not habitually resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland, subject to a list of exceptions. The amendments made by these Regulations insert a new category into the list of persons who are excepted from having to satisfy the habitual residence test. This excepts persons in Great Britain who left Lebanon on or after 12th July 2006 because of the armed conflict there.

These Regulations cease to have effect on 31st January 2007. From that date the additional category will be omitted.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.