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Welfare Reform Act 2007

2007 c. 5 · Enacted 3 May 2007 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 55 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 July 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 3 para. 7(2)-(5)repealedChild Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 Sch. 8
Pt. 1applied (with modifications) by 1992 c. 4 s. 124(6A)(6B) (as inserted)Welfare Reform Act 2009 s. 5(1)(b)
s. 1(3)(e)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
s. 13(1)words insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 3(4)(a)
s. 13(6A)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 3(4)(b)
s. 14(5)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 31(2)
s. 20(1)substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 6
s. 24(1)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 1 para. 1(4)(b)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 13(5)(c)
Sch. 1 para. 6(1)(d)words repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 1 para. 6(1)(da)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 5(2)(a)
Sch. 1 para. 6(2A)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 5(2)(b)
Sch. 2 para. 10AinsertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 s. 30(2)
Sch. 3 para. 9(7)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 2
Sch. 3 para. 9(8)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 2
Sch. 3 para. 9(9)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 9(10)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 7 Pt. 1
Sch. 4 para. 11words insertedWelfare Reform Act 2009 Sch. 2 para. 17
Sch. 2 para. 4B and cross-headinginsertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 62(4)
Sch. 2 para. 10A headingword substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(7)(a)
Sch. 2 para. 10A(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(7)(c)(i)
Sch. 2 para. 10A(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(7)(c)(ii)
Sch. 2 para. 10B and cross-headinginsertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(8)
Sch. 2 para. 10ZAinsertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(7)(b)
Sch. 3 para. 1repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 2repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 4repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 9(9) (10)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 10(3)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 10(8)(b)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 10(32)(b) (c)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 3 para. 12(3) (4)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 4repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 2(3)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
Sch. 7 para. 3(2)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
Sch. 7 para. 3(4) (5)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
Sch. 7 para. 4repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
Sch. 7 para. 2(2)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 9
s. 1(3)(e)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 1(3)(za)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 62(2)
s. 1(3B)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 62(3)
s. 1CinsertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 54(3)
s. 2(1)(c)words insertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 5 para. 6(2)
s. 2(6)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 5 para. 6(3)
s. 14(5)amendment to earlier affecting provision 2009 c. 24, s. 31(2)Welfare Reform Act 2012 s. 54(7)
s. 15(2)(b)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 54(4)
s. 16(1)(za)insertedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 54(5)
s. 19(3)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2012 s. 57(3)
s. 29repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 48(4)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 10
s. 52repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 9
s. 53repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 9
s. 54(a)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 8
s. 60(2)repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 9
Sch. 1 para. 1(5)(e) and wordrepealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
An Act to make provision about social security; to amend the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and for connected purposes.[3rd May 2007]

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:—C1C2

Contents

  1. Part 1: Employment and support allowance
  2. Entitlement
  3. 1Employment and support allowance
  4. 1ADuration of contributory allowance
  5. 1BFurther entitlement after time-limiting
  6. 2Amount of contributory allowance
  7. 3Deductions from contributory allowance: supplementary
  8. 4Amount of income-related allowance
  9. 5Advance award of income-related allowance
  10. 6Amount payable where claimant entitled to both forms of allowance
  11. 7Exclusion of payments below prescribed minimum
  12. Assessments relating to entitlement
  13. 8Limited capability for work
  14. 9Limited capability for work-related activity
  15. 10Report
  16. Conditionality
  17. 11Work-focused health-related assessmentsWork-related requirements
  18. 11AClaimant commitment
  19. 11BWork-focused interview requirement
  20. 11CWork preparation requirement
  21. 11DPersons subject to no work-related requirements
  22. 11EPersons subject to work-focused interview requirement only
  23. 11FPersons subject to work preparation and work-focused interview requirement
  24. 11GConnected requirements
  25. 11HImposition of requirements
  26. 11ICompliance with requirements
  27. 11JSanctions
  28. 11KDelegation and contracting out
  29. 12Work-focused interviews
  30. 13Work-related activity
  31. 14Action plans in connection with work-focused interviews
  32. 15Directions about work-related activity
  33. 15APersons dependent on drugs etc. Repealed
  34. 16Contracting out
  35. 16AHardship payments
  36. Miscellaneous
  37. 17Income and capital: general
  38. 18Disqualification
  39. 19Pilot schemes
  40. 20Relationship with statutory payments
  41. 21Deemed entitlement for other purposes
  42. 22Supplementary provisions
  43. 23Recovery of sums in respect of maintenance
  44. General
  45. 24Interpretation of Part 1
  46. 25Regulations and orders
  47. 26Parliamentary control
  48. 27Financial provisions relating to Part 1
  49. 28Consequential amendments relating to Part 1
  50. 29Transition relating to Part 1
  51. Part 2: Housing benefit and council tax benefit
  52. 30Local housing allowance
  53. 31Loss of housing benefit following eviction for anti-social behaviour, etc.
  54. 32Housing benefit and council tax benefit for persons taking up employment
  55. 33Section 32: supplemental
  56. 34Sections 32 and 33: interpretation
  57. 35Information relating to housing benefit
  58. 36Supply of information by rent officers
  59. 37Payment of housing benefit Not yet in force
  60. 38Duty to send inspection reports to the Secretary of State
  61. 39Directions by Secretary of State
  62. 40Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 2
  63. Part 3: Social security administration: general
  64. Sharing of social security information
  65. 41Social security information
  66. 42Information relating to certain benefits
  67. 43Unlawful disclosure of certain information
  68. Overpayment recovery
  69. 44Recovery of overpaid benefit: Great Britain
  70. 45Recovery of overpaid child benefit and guardian's allowance: Northern Ireland
  71. Benefit fraud
  72. 46Local authority powers to investigate benefit fraud
  73. 47Local authority powers to prosecute benefit fraud
  74. 48Local authority functions relating to benefit: information Not yet in force
  75. 49Loss of benefit for commission of benefit offences
  76. Part 4: Miscellaneous
  77. Benefits for bereaved persons
  78. 50Widowed mother's allowance
  79. 51Widowed parent's allowance
  80. Disability living allowance: age conditions
  81. 52Care component of disability living allowance: persons under the age of 16
  82. 53Mobility component of disability living allowance: persons under the age of 16
  83. Social fund
  84. 54Matters to which regard must be had in awarding budgeting loans
  85. 55Allocations from Social Fund
  86. Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 Not yet in force
  87. 56Overseas vaccinations Not yet in force
  88. 57Appeals to appeal tribunal in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  89. Compensation for pneumoconiosis etc.
  90. 58“Relevant employer”
  91. 59“Dependant”
  92. Other
  93. 60Power to stop payment of allowances to care home residents
  94. 61Independent Living Funds
  95. 62Medical examinations
  96. 63Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 4
  97. Part 5: General
  98. 64Northern Ireland
  99. 65General interpretation
  100. 66Financial provisions: general
  101. 67Repeals
  102. 68Transition
  103. 69Extent
  104. 70Commencement
  105. 71Short title
  106. Schedule 1: Employment and support allowance: additional conditions
  107. Part 1: ...
  108. Conditions relating to national insurance
  109. 1Paragraph 1
  110. 2Paragraph 2
  111. 3Paragraph 3
  112. Condition relating to youth
  113. 4Paragraph 4
  114. “Relevant benefit week”
  115. 5Paragraph 5
  116. Part 2: Income-related allowance
  117. 6Paragraph 6
  118. Schedule 1A: Persons dependent on drugs etc. Repealed
  119. 1Requirements imposed in relation to use of drugs Repealed
  120. 2Requirements imposed in relation to use of drugs Repealed
  121. 3Requirements imposed in relation to use of drugs Repealed
  122. 4Paragraphs 1 to 3: supplementary Repealed
  123. 5Voluntary and mandatory rehabilitation plans Repealed
  124. 6Voluntary and mandatory rehabilitation plans Repealed
  125. 7Sanctions Repealed
  126. 8Information Repealed
  127. 9Interpretation Repealed
  128. 10Power to extend provisions to alcohol Repealed
  129. Schedule 2: Employment and support allowance: supplementary provisions
  130. Limited capability for work
  131. 1Paragraph 1
  132. Waiting days
  133. 2Paragraph 2
  134. Periods of less than a week
  135. 3Paragraph 3
  136. Linking periods
  137. 4Paragraph 4
  138. 4AParagraph 4A
  139. Presence in Great Britain
  140. 5Paragraph 5
  141. Contributory allowance: entitlement in case of absence from Great Britain
  142. 6Paragraph 6
  143. Contributory allowance: modification in relation to employment on ships etc.
  144. 7Paragraph 7
  145. Income-related allowance: entitlement in case of absence from Great Britain
  146. 8Paragraph 8
  147. Limited capability for work-related activity
  148. 9Paragraph 9
  149. Effect of work
  150. 10Paragraph 10
  151. Treatment of allowance as “benefit”
  152. 11Paragraph 11
  153. Attribution of reductions in cases where allowance taken to consist of two elements
  154. 12Paragraph 12
  155. Treatment of information supplied as information relating to social security
  156. 13Paragraph 13
  157. Advance claims
  158. 14Paragraph 14
  159. Members of the forces
  160. 15Paragraph 15
  161. Schedule 3: Consequential amendments relating to Part 1
  162. Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49)
  163. 1Paragraph 1
  164. Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 41)
  165. 2Paragraph 2
  166. Transport Act 1982 (c. 49)
  167. 3Paragraph 3
  168. Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (c. 47)
  169. 4Paragraph 4
  170. Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (c. 1) Not yet in force
  171. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  172. Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
  173. 6Paragraph 6
  174. Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48)
  175. 7Paragraph 7
  176. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53)
  177. 8Paragraph 8
  178. Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)
  179. 9Paragraph 9
  180. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)
  181. 10Paragraph 10
  182. Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14)
  183. 11Paragraph 11
  184. Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18)
  185. 12Paragraph 12
  186. Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26)
  187. 13Paragraph 13
  188. Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 36)
  189. 14Paragraph 14
  190. Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (c. 17)
  191. 15Paragraph 15
  192. Education Act 1996 (c. 56)
  193. 16Paragraph 16
  194. Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14)
  195. 17Paragraph 17
  196. Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30)
  197. 18Paragraph 18
  198. Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33)
  199. 19Paragraph 19
  200. Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19)
  201. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  202. Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) Not yet in force
  203. 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
  204. Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 4)
  205. 22Paragraph 22
  206. Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (c. 11)
  207. 23Paragraph 23
  208. Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1)
  209. 24Paragraph 24
  210. Schedule 4: Transition relating to Part 1
  211. General power to provide for transition relating to Part 1
  212. 1Paragraph 1
  213. Pre-commencement claims
  214. 2Paragraph 2
  215. Post-commencement claims Not yet in force
  216. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  217. Award of employment and support allowance for pre-commencement period Not yet in force
  218. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  219. Matching of awards of employment and support allowance Not yet in force
  220. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  221. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  222. Treatment of existing awards
  223. 7Paragraph 7
  224. Transitional allowances
  225. 8Paragraph 8
  226. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  227. Post-commencement up-rating of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance
  228. 10Paragraph 10
  229. Interpretation
  230. 11Paragraph 11
  231. Schedule 5: Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 2
  232. Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)
  233. 1Paragraph 1
  234. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)
  235. 2Paragraph 2
  236. 3Paragraph 3
  237. 4Paragraph 4
  238. 5Paragraph 5
  239. 6Paragraph 6
  240. 7Paragraph 7
  241. 8Paragraph 8
  242. 9Paragraph 9
  243. 10Paragraph 10
  244. Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39)
  245. 11Paragraph 11
  246. Housing Act 1996 (c. 52)
  247. 12Paragraph 12
  248. Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19) Not yet in force
  249. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  250. Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33)
  251. 14Paragraph 14
  252. Schedule 6: Schedule to be inserted in the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979
  253. Schedule 7: Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 4
  254. Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 (c. 17) Not yet in force
  255. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  256. Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4)
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5)
  259. 3Paragraph 3
  260. Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14)
  261. 4Paragraph 4
  262. Schedule 8: Repeals