Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations 1983 as they relate to boarders.

They provide for an increase in the maximum weekly board and lodging charge which will be met by supplementary benefit in respect of certain residents in nursing or residential care homes (regulation 7 and the Schedule).

They provide that those permanently resident in nursing or residential care homes are not eligible to have included in the calculation of their reqirements any additional requirement for heating, attendance needs, extra baths, special diets, domestic assistance or laundry, but that any separate charge for the provision of such services shall be added to and treated as part of the weekly board and lodging charge and subject to the maximum limits (regulations 2, 4 and 5).

They provide for the gradual reduction of transitional protection afforded certain boarders in receipt of benefit as of the 28th July 1986 as the maximum board and lodging charge limit is uprated (regulation 2(c)).

They provide that residents in residential accommodation provided by local authorities in which full board is provided or which are not hostels are not to be treated as boarders.

They provide transitional protection for those in receipt of benefit as permanent residents in nursing or residential care homes as of the 12th April 1987 and whose requirements included any of the additional requirements otherwise withdrawn as of the 13th April 1987 (regulation 6).

They also amend the Supplementary Benefit (Resources) Regulations 1981 so as to disregard the amount of any payment under a mortgage protection insurance policy which is used to meet mortgage interest payments but which is not included in the amount of interest applicable as a housing requirement (regulation 8).