OpenLegislation

Social Security Act 1998

1998 c. 14 · Enacted 21 May 1998

Not fully up to date. 49 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 21 February 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 83repealedSocial Security Act 1998 Sch. 8
Sch. 6repealedSocial Security Act 1998 Sch. 8
s. 16(4)(5)repealedSocial Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc. ) Act 1999 Sch. 7 para. 28 Sch. 10 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 3(c)word repealedChild Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 Sch. 9 Pt. 5
Sch. 7 para. 118(1)words repealedTribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Sch. 23 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 128repealedPensions Act 2007 Sch. 7 Pt. 7
Sch. 7 para. 77(4)(a)repealedPensions Act 2007 Sch. 7 Pt. 7
s. 31(1)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 7 para. 103(1)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 7 para. 73(3)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 8
s. 77repealedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 7 para. 145repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 3
Sch. 2 para. 5ArepealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 3
s. 34(3)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 6(b)(i)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
s. 8(3)(c)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 7words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 5A cross-headingrepealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 3
Sch. 7 para. 95repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 97repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 141repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 3
Sch. 7 para. 142repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 3
Sch. 7 para. 73repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
Sch. 7 para. 103repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
s. 22(4)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 10
s. 74repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 10
Sch. 3 para. 3(b)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 9
Sch. 2 para. 7A and cross-headinsertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 2 para. 50(3)
Sch. 3 para. 8words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 7 para. 11
Sch. 3 para. 8 headingwords substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 7 para. 11
s. 8(3)(c)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 8(5)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 39(1)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 6(b)(i)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 7 and cross-headingrepealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 1 and cross-headingrepealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 5A and cross-headingrepealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 5words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 95repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 97repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 98repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 139repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 140repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 146repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 70(2)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
s. 71repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
s. 75repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
Sch. 7 para. 72repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
s. 2(3)words substitutedVeterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Act 2023 s. 2(1)(f)
An Act to make provision as to the making of decisions and the determination of appeals under enactments relating to social security, child support, vaccine damage payments and war pensions; to make further provision with respect to social security; and for connected purposes.[21st May 1998]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: power to modify conferred (25.2.1999 for specified purposes) by Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2), s. 15(1)(2)(b) (with Sch. 8); S.I. 1999/527, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 (with arts. 3-6)

C2

Act: power to amend conferred (2.12.1999) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47), s. 87 (with s. 100, Sch. 14); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

C3

Act applied (12.4.2004) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/583), regs. 1(1), 2

C4

Act: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.4.2009) by Child Trust Funds Act 2004 (c. 6), s. 23(6) (as substituted by S.I. 2009/56, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 416(4))

C5

Act: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.1.2010 for specified purposes) by Saving Gateway Accounts Act 2009 (c. 8), ss. 24(4)(5), 31; S.I. 2009/3332, art. 2(e)

C6

Act applied in part (12.4.2021) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/312), regs. 1(1), 2

C7

Act modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security (Gibraltar) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/149), arts. 1(3), 2

C8

Act modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.S.I.) by The Social Security (Gibraltar) (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) (Further provision in respect of Scotland) Order 2024 (S.S.I. 2024/62), arts. 1(3), 2

Contents

  1. Part I: Decisions and Appeals
  2. Chapter I: General
  3. Decisions
  4. 1Transfer of functions to Secretary of State
  5. 2Use of computers
  6. 3Use of information
  7. Appeals
  8. 4Unified appeal tribunals Repealed
  9. 5President of appeal tribunals
  10. 6Panel for appointment to appeal tribunals
  11. 7Constitution of appeal tribunals
  12. Chapter II: Social Security Decisions and Appeals
  13. Decisions
  14. 8Decisions by Secretary of State
  15. 9Revision of decisions
  16. 10Decisions superseding earlier decisions
  17. Reference of issues by Secretary of State to Inland Revenue
  18. 10AReference of issues by Secretary of State to Inland Revenue.
  19. 11Regulations with respect to decisions
  20. Appeals
  21. 12Appeal to First-tier Tribunal
  22. 13Redetermination etc. of appeals by tribunal
  23. 14Appeal from First-tier Tribunal to Upper Tribunal
  24. 15Applications for permission to appeal against a decision of the Upper Tribunal
  25. 15AFunctions of Senior President of Tribunals
  26. Procedure etc.
  27. 16Procedure
  28. 17Finality of decisions
  29. 18Matters arising as respects decisions
  30. Medical examinations
  31. 19Medical examination required by Secretary of State
  32. 20Medical examination required by appeal tribunal
  33. 20ATravelling and other allowances
  34. Suspension and termination of benefit
  35. 21Suspension in prescribed circumstances
  36. 22Suspension for failure to furnish information etc
  37. 23Termination in cases of failure to furnish information
  38. 24Suspension and termination for failure to submit to medical examination
  39. Appeals dependent on issues falling to be decided by Inland Revenue
  40. 24AAppeals dependent on issues falling to be decided by Inland Revenue.
  41. Decisions and appeals dependent on other cases
  42. 25Decisions involving issues that arise on appeal in other cases
  43. 26Appeals involving issues that arise on appeal in other cases
  44. Cases of error
  45. 27Restrictions on entitlement to benefit in certain cases of error
  46. 28Correction of errors and setting aside of decisions
  47. Industrial accidents
  48. 29Decision that accident is an industrial accident
  49. 30Effect of decision
  50. Other special cases
  51. 31Incapacity for work
  52. 32Industrial diseases
  53. 33Christmas bonus
  54. Housing benefit and council tax benefit
  55. 34Determination of claims and reviews
  56. 35Suspension of benefit in prescribed circumstances Repealed
  57. Social fund payments
  58. 36Appropriate officers Repealed
  59. 37The social fund Commissioner and inspectors Repealed
  60. 38Reviews of determinations Repealed
  61. Supplemental
  62. 39ZACertificates
  63. 39Interpretation etc. of Chapter II
  64. Chapter III: Other Decisions and Appeals
  65. Child support
  66. 40Child support: revision of decisions
  67. 41Child support: decisions superseding earlier decisions
  68. 42Child support: appeals to appeal tribunals Repealed
  69. 43Child support: decisions and appeals dependent on other cases
  70. 44Child support: cases of error
  71. Vaccine damage payments
  72. 45Vaccine damage payments: decisions reversing earlier decisions
  73. 46Vaccine damage payments: appeals to appeal tribunals
  74. 47Vaccine damage payments: correction of errors etc
  75. Part II: Contributions
  76. Amendments of Contributions and Benefits Act
  77. 48Apportionment of payments etc. made for more than one earner
  78. 49Payments on account of directors' contributions
  79. 50Payments treated as remuneration and earnings
  80. 51Class 1 contributions Repealed
  81. 52Class 1A contributions Repealed
  82. 53Class 1B contributions
  83. 54Contributions paid in error
  84. 55Recovery of primary Class 1 contributions by secondary contributors
  85. 56Contributions returns
  86. 57Collection of contributions by Secretary of State
  87. 58Interest and penalties chargeable concurrently with Inland Revenue Repealed
  88. 59Levy of Class 4 contributions with income tax
  89. Amendments of Administration Act
  90. 60Breach of regulations
  91. 61Offences and penalties relating to contributions
  92. 62Evidence of non-payment
  93. 63Recovery of contributions etc
  94. 64Liability of directors etc. for company’s contributions
  95. 65Class 1B contributions: supplemental
  96. 66Payments of certain contributions out of the Consolidated Fund
  97. Part III: Benefits
  98. Amendments etc. of Contributions and Benefits Act
  99. 67Daily rate of maternity allowance
  100. 68Rates of short-term incapacity benefit
  101. 69Validation of certain housing benefit determinations
  102. 70Discretionary payments out of social fund
  103. 71Budgeting loans: criteria for making awards
  104. 72Power to reduce child benefit for lone parents
  105. 73Statutory sick pay not precluded by maternity allowance
  106. Amendments of Administration Act
  107. 74Provision of information
  108. 75Overpayments out of social fund
  109. 76Power to anticipate pensions up-rating order
  110. Part IV: Miscellaneous and supplemental
  111. 77Pilot schemes
  112. 78Expenditure for facilitating transfer of functions etc
  113. 79Regulations and orders
  114. 80Parliamentary control of regulations
  115. 81Reports by Secretary of State Repealed
  116. 82Financial provisions
  117. 83Transitory provisions
  118. 84Interpretation: general
  119. 85Provision for Northern Ireland
  120. 86Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
  121. 87Short title, commencement and extent
  122. Schedule 1: Appeal tribunals: supplementary provisions Repealed
  123. Tenure of office
  124. 1Paragraph 1
  125. Remuneration etc.
  126. 2Paragraph 2
  127. 3Paragraph 3
  128. 4Paragraph 4
  129. 5Paragraph 5
  130. Officers and staff
  131. 6Paragraph 6
  132. Functions of President
  133. 7Paragraph 7
  134. 8Paragraph 8
  135. 9Paragraph 9
  136. 10Paragraph 10
  137. Clerks to appeal tribunals
  138. 11Paragraph 11
  139. Delegation of certain functions of appeal tribunals
  140. 12Paragraph 12
  141. Certificates
  142. 13Paragraph 13
  143. Schedule 2: Decisions against which no appeal lies
  144. Jobseeker’s allowance for persons under 18
  145. 1Paragraph 1
  146. Christmas bonus
  147. 2Paragraph 2
  148. Priority between persons entitled to carer’s allowance , carer support payment and the carer element of universal credit
  149. 3Paragraph 3
  150. Priority between persons entitled to child benefit
  151. 4Paragraph 4
  152. Persons treated as if present in Great Britain
  153. 5Paragraph 5
  154. Work-focused interviews
  155. 5AParagraph 5A
  156. Alteration of rates of benefit
  157. 6Paragraph 6
  158. Increases in income support due to attainment of particular ages
  159. 7Paragraph 7
  160. Reduction in accordance with reduced benefit decision
  161. 8Paragraph 8
  162. Reduction on application of benefit cap
  163. 8AParagraph 8A
  164. Power to prescribe other decisions
  165. 9Paragraph 9
  166. Schedule 3: Decisions against which an appeal lies
  167. Part I: Benefit decisions
  168. Entitlement to benefit without a claim
  169. 1Paragraph 1
  170. 2Paragraph 2
  171. Payability of benefit
  172. 3Paragraph 3
  173. 3AParagraph 3A
  174. Payments to third parties
  175. 4Paragraph 4
  176. Recovery of benefits
  177. 5Paragraph 5
  178. 6Paragraph 6
  179. 6AParagraph 6A
  180. 6BParagraph 6B
  181. State pension: prisoners and overseas residents
  182. 6CParagraph 6C
  183. 6DParagraph 6D
  184. Industrial injuries benefit
  185. 7Paragraph 7
  186. Jobseekers' agreements
  187. 8Paragraph 8
  188. State pension credit
  189. 8AParagraph 8A
  190. 8BParagraph 8B
  191. 8CParagraph 8C
  192. 8DParagraph 8D
  193. Power to prescribe other decisions
  194. 9Paragraph 9
  195. Part II: Contributions decisions
  196. Categorisation of earners
  197. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  198. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  199. Compulsory contributions
  200. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  201. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  202. Voluntary contributions
  203. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  204. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  205. Responsibilities at home
  206. 16Paragraph 16
  207. Earnings and contributions credits
  208. 17Paragraph 17
  209. Statutory sick pay
  210. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  211. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  212. Statutory maternity pay
  213. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  214. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  215. Liability of directors etc. for company’s contributions
  216. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  217. Preserved rights to benefit etc.
  218. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  219. Employment of long-term unemployed
  220. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  221. Interest and penalties
  222. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  223. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  224. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  225. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  226. Power to prescribe other decisions
  227. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  228. Schedule 4: Social Security Commissioners
  229. Appointment
  230. 1Paragraph 1
  231. Remuneration etc.
  232. 2Paragraph 2
  233. 3Paragraph 3
  234. Tenure of office
  235. 4Paragraph 4
  236. 5Paragraph 5
  237. Delegation of functions
  238. 6Paragraph 6
  239. Certificates
  240. 7Paragraph 7
  241. Supplemental
  242. 8Paragraph 8
  243. Schedule 5: Regulations as to procedure: provision which may be made
  244. 1Paragraph 1
  245. 2Paragraph 2
  246. 3Paragraph 3
  247. 4Paragraph 4
  248. 5Paragraph 5
  249. 6Paragraph 6
  250. 7Paragraph 7
  251. 8Paragraph 8
  252. 9Paragraph 9
  253. Schedule 6: Transitory provisions
  254. Constitution of appeal tribunals
  255. 1Paragraph 1
  256. Claims no longer subsisting after decisions made
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. Appeals to tribunals
  259. 3Paragraph 3
  260. Appeals to Commissioners
  261. 4Paragraph 4
  262. Suspension of benefit in prescribed circumstances
  263. 5Paragraph 5
  264. Restrictions on entitlement in certain cases of error
  265. 6Paragraph 6
  266. Reviews of social fund determinations
  267. 7Paragraph 7
  268. Overpayments out of social fund
  269. 8Paragraph 8
  270. Child support: appeals to tribunals
  271. 9Paragraph 9
  272. Schedule 7: Minor and consequential amendments
  273. Army Act 1955 (c. 18)
  274. 1Paragraph 1
  275. Air Force Act 1955 (c. 19)
  276. 2Paragraph 2
  277. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  278. 3Paragraph 3
  279. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  280. 4Paragraph 4
  281. Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 (c. 17)
  282. 5Paragraph 5
  283. 6Paragraph 6
  284. 7Paragraph 7
  285. 8Paragraph 8
  286. 9Paragraph 9
  287. 10Paragraph 10
  288. Forfeiture Act 1982 (c. 34)
  289. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  290. Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 18)
  291. 12Paragraph 12
  292. 13Paragraph 13
  293. 14Paragraph 14
  294. Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 47)
  295. 15Paragraph 15
  296. Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (c. 1)
  297. 16Paragraph 16
  298. Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41)
  299. 17Paragraph 17
  300. Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48)
  301. 18Paragraph 18
  302. 19Paragraph 19
  303. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  304. 21Paragraph 21
  305. 22Paragraph 22
  306. 23Paragraph 23
  307. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  308. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  309. 26Paragraph 26
  310. 27Paragraph 27
  311. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  312. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  313. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  314. 31Paragraph 31
  315. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  316. 33Paragraph 33
  317. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  318. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  319. 36Paragraph 36 Repealed
  320. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  321. 38Paragraph 38 Repealed
  322. 39Paragraph 39 Repealed
  323. 40Paragraph 40 Repealed
  324. 41Paragraph 41
  325. 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
  326. 43Paragraph 43 Repealed
  327. 44Paragraph 44
  328. 45Paragraph 45
  329. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  330. 47Paragraph 47
  331. 48Paragraph 48
  332. 49Paragraph 49
  333. 50Paragraph 50
  334. 51Paragraph 51 Repealed
  335. 52Paragraph 52 Repealed
  336. 53Paragraph 53 Repealed
  337. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  338. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
  339. 55Paragraph 55
  340. Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)
  341. 56Paragraph 56
  342. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  343. 58Paragraph 58 Repealed
  344. 59Paragraph 59
  345. 60Paragraph 60
  346. 61Paragraph 61
  347. 62Paragraph 62
  348. 63Paragraph 63
  349. 64Paragraph 64
  350. 65Paragraph 65
  351. 66Paragraph 66
  352. 67Paragraph 67
  353. 68Paragraph 68
  354. 69Paragraph 69
  355. 70Paragraph 70
  356. 71Paragraph 71
  357. 72Paragraph 72
  358. 73Paragraph 73
  359. 74Paragraph 74
  360. 75Paragraph 75
  361. 76Paragraph 76
  362. 77Paragraph 77
  363. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)
  364. 78Paragraph 78 Repealed
  365. 79Paragraph 79
  366. 80Paragraph 80
  367. 81Paragraph 81
  368. 82Paragraph 82
  369. 83Paragraph 83
  370. 84Paragraph 84
  371. 85Paragraph 85
  372. 86Paragraph 86
  373. 87Paragraph 87
  374. 88Paragraph 88
  375. 89Paragraph 89
  376. 90Paragraph 90
  377. 91Paragraph 91 Repealed
  378. 92Paragraph 92
  379. 93Paragraph 93
  380. 94Paragraph 94
  381. 95Paragraph 95
  382. 96Paragraph 96
  383. 97Paragraph 97
  384. 98Paragraph 98
  385. 99Paragraph 99
  386. 100Paragraph 100
  387. 101Paragraph 101
  388. 102Paragraph 102
  389. 103Paragraph 103
  390. 104Paragraph 104
  391. 105Paragraph 105
  392. 106Paragraph 106
  393. 107Paragraph 107
  394. 108Paragraph 108
  395. 109Paragraph 109
  396. 110Paragraph 110
  397. 111Paragraph 111
  398. 112Paragraph 112
  399. 113Paragraph 113
  400. 114Paragraph 114
  401. 115Paragraph 115
  402. 116Paragraph 116
  403. Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14)
  404. 117Paragraph 117
  405. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  406. 118Paragraph 118
  407. 119Paragraph 119
  408. 120Paragraph 120
  409. 121Paragraph 121
  410. 122Paragraph 122
  411. Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)
  412. 123Paragraph 123
  413. 124Paragraph 124
  414. 125Paragraph 125
  415. Pension Schemes Act 1993 (c. 48)
  416. 126Paragraph 126 Repealed
  417. 127Paragraph 127
  418. 128Paragraph 128
  419. 129Paragraph 129
  420. 130Paragraph 130
  421. 131Paragraph 131
  422. 132Paragraph 132 Repealed
  423. Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18)
  424. 133Paragraph 133
  425. 134Paragraph 134
  426. 135Paragraph 135
  427. 136Paragraph 136
  428. 137Paragraph 137
  429. 138Paragraph 138
  430. 139Paragraph 139
  431. 140Paragraph 140
  432. 141Paragraph 141 Repealed
  433. 142Paragraph 142
  434. 143Paragraph 143
  435. 144Paragraph 144
  436. 145Paragraph 145
  437. 146Paragraph 146
  438. Industrial Tribunals Act 1996 (c. 17)
  439. 147Paragraph 147
  440. Employment Rights Act 1996 (c. 18)
  441. 148Paragraph 148 Repealed
  442. Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 (c. 27)
  443. 149Paragraph 149
  444. 150Paragraph 150
  445. 151Paragraph 151
  446. 152Paragraph 152
  447. 153Paragraph 153 Repealed
  448. Schedule 8: Repeals