Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Income Support (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 and the State Pension Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (“the income-related benefits Regulations”).

The income-related benefits Regulations provide that a person is ineligible for benefit where he is a “person from abroad”, that is to say where he 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 Northern Ireland who left Lebanon on or after 12th July 2006 because of the armed conflict there.

These Regulations cease to have effect on 30th January 2007. From that date the additional category will be omitted.