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The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by the provisions specified in Schedule 1 to this Instrument and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, after consultation with organisations appearing to him to be representative of the authorities concerned[1], by this Instrument, which contains only regulations made by virtue of or consequential upon paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to, and in so far as it relates to that paragraph section 14 of, the State Pension Credit Act 2002[2] and which is made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the coming into force of those provisions[3], hereby makes the following Regulations: Citation, commencement and interpretation 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force -
(b) for all other purposes, on 6th October 2003.
(2) In these Regulations -
(b) in the case of a man, the age which is pensionable age in the case of a woman born on the same day as the man;
(3) In Part 5 of these Regulations, references in any provision inserted -
(b) in the Council Tax Benefit Regulations to a regulation of or Schedule to those Regulations is to those provisions as modified or amended by these Regulations.
Housing Benefit Regulations 2. - (1) The Housing Benefit Regulations shall have effect, except where paragraph (2) applies, in relation to any person who has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit subject to the modifications set out in this Part, Part 4 and Schedule 2. (2) This paragraph applies if the claimant or, if the claimant has a partner, his partner, is a person on income support or on an income-based jobseeker's allowance within the meaning of the Housing Benefit Regulations[6]. (3) In this Part, references to regulations and Schedules are, unless the context otherwise requires, references to regulations of and Schedules to the Housing Benefit Regulations. Interpretation 3. - (1) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in paragraph (1) -
(b) in relation to any other income, in accordance with regulation 28 for the purpose of calculating the weekly income of the claimant;";
(b) for the definition of "the benefit Acts", substitute -
(2) In that regulation, after paragraph (4A)[11], insert -
Modification of regulation 5
Applicable amounts
16. - (1) Subject to regulations 69 and 70 and Schedule A1 (calculation of weekly amounts, rent free periods and treatment of claims for housing benefit by refugees), the applicable amount of a claimant who has attained or whose partner has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as apply in his case -
(b) an amount in respect of any child or young person who is a member of his family, determined in accordance with paragraph 2 of that Schedule; (c) if he is a member of a family of which at least one member is a child or young person, an amount determined in accordance with paragraph 3(1) of Part II of that Schedule (family premium); (d) if he is a member of a family of which one member is a child under the age of one year, an additional amount determined in accordance with paragraph 3(2) of Part II of that Schedule; (e) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to him, determined in accordance with Parts III and IV of that Schedule (premiums).
(2) Paragraph (3) applies in the case of -
(b) a claimant who has a partner one or both of whom; or (c) a claimant who is a member of a polygamous marriage one or more of whose members,
is or are a patient, and has or have been a patient for a period exceeding 13 weeks but not exceeding 52 weeks, or, in exceptional circumstances, is unlikely to substantially exceed 52 weeks ("long term patient").
(b) has a partner and either the claimant or his partner is a long term patient, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to 20 per cent. of the weekly rate of the basic pension for the time being specified in section 44(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act ("the standard reduction"); (c) has a partner and both the claimant and his partner are long term patients, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to twice the sum of the standard reduction; (d) is a member of a polygamous marriage and one or more members of the marriage are long term patients, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to the standard reduction multiplied by the number of members who are long term patients.
(4) Any calculation made for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be rounded to the nearest 5 pence, 2.5 pence being rounded to the next 5 pence above.
(2) After Schedule 2 insert - 1. The amount specified in column (2) below in respect of each person or couple specified in column (1) shall be the amount specified for the purposes of regulation 16 -
2. - (1) The amounts specified in column (2) below in respect of each person specified in column (1) shall, for the relevant period specified in column (1), be the amounts specified for the purposes of regulation 16(1)(b) -
(2) In column (1) of the Table above, "the first Monday in September" means the Monday which first occurs in the month of September in any year. 3. - (1) The amount for the purposes of regulation 16(1)(c) and (d) in respect of a family of which at least one member is a child or young person shall be £15.75. (2) The amount specified in sub-paragraph (1) shall be increased by £10.45 where at least one child is under the age of one year and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph where that child's first birthday does not fall on a Monday he shall be treated as under the age of one year until the first Monday after his first birthday. 4. The premiums specified in Part IV shall, for the purposes of regulation 16(1)(e), be applicable to a claimant who satisfies the condition specified in this Part in respect of that premium. 5. - (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, once a premium is applicable to a claimant under this Part, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of any benefit for -
(b) any period spent by a person in undertaking a course of training or instruction provided or approved by the Secretary of State under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973[15], or by Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise under section 2 of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990[16] or for any period during which he is in receipt of a training allowance.
(2) For the purposes of the carer premium under paragraph 9, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of a carer's allowance under section 70 of the Contributions and Benefits Act by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(a) only if and for so long as the person in respect of whose care the allowance has been claimed remains in receipt of attendance allowance, or the care component of disability living allowance at the highest or middle rate prescribed in accordance with section 72(3) of the Contributions and Benefits Act.
(ii) subject to sub-paragraph (6), he has no non-dependants aged 18 or over normally residing with him or with whom he is normally residing; and (iii) no person is entitled to, and in receipt of, a carer's allowance in respect of caring for him;
(b) in the case of a claimant who has a partner -
(ii) his partner is also in receipt of such an allowance or, if the claimant is a member of a polygamous marriage one or more of the other members of the marriage are in receipt of such an allowance; and (iii) subject to sub-paragraph (6), the claimant has no non-dependants aged 18 or over normally residing with him or with whom he is normally residing,
and either a person is entitled to and in receipt of a carer's allowance in respect of caring for only one of the couple or, if he is a member of a polygamous marriage, for one or more but not all the members of the marriage, or as the case may be, no person is entitled to and in receipt of such an allowance in respect of caring for either member of a couple or any of the members of the marriage.
(3) Where a claimant has a partner who does not satisfy the condition in sub-paragraph (2)(b)(ii), and that partner is blind or is treated as blind within the meaning of sub-paragraph (4), that partner shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) as if he were not a partner of the claimant.
(b) a person who is blind or is treated as blind within the meaning of sub-paragraphs (4) and (5).
(7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(b), a person shall be treated -
(b) as being entitled to and in receipt of a carer's allowance if he would, but for the person for whom he was caring being a patient in hospital for a period exceeding 28 days, be so entitled and in receipt.
(8) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(a)(iii) and (2)(b) -
(b) references to a person being in receipt of a carer's allowance shall include references to a person who would have been in receipt of that allowance but for the application of a restriction under section 7 of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001[18] (loss of benefit).
Enhanced disability premium
(b) is blind within the meaning of paragraph 6(4) or is treated as blind in accordance with paragraph 6(5).
Carer premium
(b) the person in respect of whom the premium was awarded ceases to be entitled, or ceases to be treated as entitled, to a carer's allowance,
this paragraph shall be treated as satisfied for a period of eight weeks from the relevant date specified in sub-paragraph (3).
(b) where head (a) above does not apply, the date on which that person who was entitled to a carer's allowance ceases to be entitled to it.
(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, a person shall be treated as being entitled to and in receipt of a carer's allowance for any period not covered by an award but in respect of which a payment is made in lieu of an award.
(b) after paragraph (3), add the following paragraph -
Income and capital Calculation of income and capital 21. The income and capital of -
(b) any partner of the claimant,
shall be calculated in accordance with the rules set out in this Chapter; and any reference in this Part to the claimant shall apply equally to any partner of the claimant.
(b) if sub-paragraph (a) does not apply, within the two working days following the day he receives information from the relevant authority that the claimant or his partner has claimed housing benefit, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(3) The details provided by the Secretary of State shall include the amount taken into account in that determination in respect of the net income of the person claiming state pension credit.
(b) in respect of any dependent children of the claimant, any of the following -
(ii) child tax credit; (iii) childcare charges taken into account under regulation 26(1)(c); (iv) payments of child special allowance under the Contributions and Benefits Act;
(c) the higher amount disregarded under these Regulations in respect of -
(ii) widowed mother's allowance; (iii) widowed parent's allowance; (iv) payments of maintenance, whether under a court order or not, which is made or due to be made by -
(bb) the parent of a child or young person where that child or young person is a member of the claimant's family except where that parent is the claimant or the claimant's partner; or
(v) the disregard of the 30 hour element of working tax credit referred to in regulation 20(1)(c) of the Working Tax Credit (Entitlement and Maximum Rate) Regulations 2002[19];
(d) the income and capital of any partner of the claimant who is treated as a member of the claimant's household under regulation 15, to the extent that it is not taken into account in determining the net income of the person claiming state pension credit;
(5) Regulations 25 to 44 shall not apply to the amount of the net income to be taken into account by the local authority under paragraph (1), but shall apply (so far as relevant) for the purpose of determining any modifications which fall to be made to that amount under paragraph (4).
(b) subsequent to that determination, the claimant's capital rises to more than £16,000; and (c) the increase occurs whilst there is in force an assessed income period within the meaning of sections 6 and 9 of the State Pension Credit Act.
Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit
(b) working tax credit and child tax credit[20]; (c) retirement pension income within the meaning of the State Pension Credit Act[21]; (d) income from annuity contracts (other than retirement pension income); (e) a war disablement pension or war widow's or widower's pension; (f) a foreign war disablement pension or war widow's or widower's pension; (g) income from capital, other than capital disregarded under Schedule 5ZA; (h) social security benefits, other than retirement pension income or any of the following benefits -
(ii) attendance allowance payable under section 64 of the Contributions and Benefits Act; (iii) an increase of disablement pension under section 104 or 105 of that Act; (iv) a payment under regulations made in exercise of the power conferred by paragraph 7(2)(b) of Part II of Schedule 8 to that Act[22]; (v) an increase of an allowance payable in respect of constant attendance under paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule 8 to that Act; (vi) any guardian's allowance payable under section 77 of that Act; (vii) any increase for a dependant, other than the claimant's partner, payable in accordance with Part IV of that Act; (viii) any social fund payment made under Part VIII of that Act; (ix) Christmas bonus payable under Part X of that Act; (x) housing benefit; (xi) council tax benefit; (xii) bereavement payment[23]; (xiii) statutory sick pay; (xiv) statutory maternity pay; (xv) statutory paternity pay payable under Part 12ZA of that Act[24]; (xvi) statutory adoption pay payable under Part 12ZB of that Act[25]; (xvii) any benefit similar to those mentioned in the preceding provisions of this paragraph payable under legislation having effect in Northern Ireland;
(i) all foreign social security benefits which are similar to the social security benefits prescribed above;
(ii) under an agreement for maintenance; or (iii) voluntarily;
(n) payments due from any person in respect of board and lodging accommodation provided by the claimant;
(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, a claimant's capital, other than capital disregarded under Schedule 5ZA, shall be treated as if it were a weekly income -
(b) in any other case, of £1 for each £500 in excess of £6,000 and £1 for any excess which is not a complete £500.
(3) Where the payment of any social security benefit prescribed under paragraph (1) is subject to any deduction (other than an adjustment specified in paragraph (4)) the amount to be taken into account under paragraph (1) shall be the amount before the deduction is made.
(b) the Social Security (Hospital In-Patients) Regulations 1975[35]; (c) section 30DD or section 30E of the Contributions and Benefits Act[36] (reductions in incapacity benefit in respect of pensions and councillor's allowances).
(5) This paragraph applies to accommodation provided -
(b) in an establishment run by the Abbeyfield Society (including all bodies corporate or incorporate which are affiliated to the Society); (c) under section 3 of, and Part II of the Schedule to, the Polish Resettlement Act 1947[37] (provision of accommodation) where the claimant requires personal care; (d) under sections 21 to 24 of the National Assistance Act 1948[38] (provision of accommodation), or, in Scotland, under section 13B or 59 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968[39] or section 7 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984[40] (functions of local authorities) where -
(ii) the claimant occupies the accommodation other than on a temporary basis.
(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), a person shall be treated as residing permanently in the accommodation -
(b) if it is accommodation to which paragraph (5)(c) applies -
(ii) if he, with the agreement of the manager of the home, intends to return to it in due course.
Calculation of income on a weekly basis
(b) by adding to that amount the weekly income calculated under regulation 25(2); (c) by then deducting any relevant child care charges to which regulation 27 (treatment of child care charges) applies from any earnings which form part of the average weekly income or, in a case where the conditions in paragraph (2) are met, from those earnings plus whichever credit specified in sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph is appropriate, up to a maximum deduction in respect of the claimant's family of whichever of the sums specified in paragraph (3) applies in his case.
(2) The conditions of this paragraph are that -
(b) that claimant or, if he is a member of a couple either the claimant or his partner, is in receipt of working tax credit or child tax credit.
(3) The maximum deduction to which paragraph (1)(c) above refers shall be -
(b) where the claimant's family includes more than one child in respect of whom relevant child care charges are paid, £140 per week.
Treatment of child care charges
(b) is a member of a couple both of whom are engaged in remunerative work; or (c) is a member of a couple where one member is engaged in remunerative work and the other member is incapacitated.
(2) Relevant child care charges are those charges for care to which paragraphs (3) and (4) apply, and shall be estimated on a weekly basis in accordance with paragraph (7).
(b) in the case of any child of the claimant's family who is disabled, in respect of the period beginning on that person's date of birth and ending on the day preceding the first Monday in September following that person's sixteenth birthday.
(4) The charges are paid for care which is provided by one or more of the care providers listed in paragraph (5) and are not paid -
(b) by a claimant to a partner or by a partner to a claimant in respect of any child for whom either or any of them is responsible in accordance with regulation 19 (circumstances in which a person is treated as responsible or not responsible for another).
(5) The care to which paragraph (4) refers may be provided -
(b) out of school hours, by a school on school premises or by a local authority -
(ii) for children who are disabled in respect of the period beginning on their eighth birthday and ending on the day preceding the first Monday in September following their sixteenth birthday;
(c) by a child care scheme operating on Crown property where registration under section 71 of the Children Act 1989 is not required;
(ii) local authorities registered under section 33(1) of that Act,
where the care provided is childminding or day care of children[46] within the meaning of that Act.
(6) In paragraphs (3) and (5)(b), "the first Monday in September" means the Monday which first occurs in the month of September in any year.
(b) he is aged less than 80 and -
(ii) he satisfies those conditions or would satisfy them but for his being treated as capable of work by virtue of a determination made in accordance with regulations made under section 171E of the Contributions and Benefits Act[47];
(c) the claimant is, or is treated as, incapable of work and has been so incapable, or has been so treated as incapable, of work in accordance with the provisions of, and regulations made under, Part XIIA of the Contributions and Benefits Act (incapacity for work) for a continuous period of not less than 196 days; and for this purpose any two or more separate periods separated by a break of not more than 56 days shall be treated as one continuous period;
(ii) attendance allowance under section 64 of that Act; (iii) severe disablement allowance under section 68 of that Act; (iv) disability living allowance under section 71 of that Act; (v) increase of disablement pension under section 104 of that Act; (vi) a pension increase under a war pension scheme or an industrial injuries scheme which is analogous to an allowance or increase of disablement pension under head (ii), (iv) or (v) above;
(e) a pension or allowance to which head (ii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of sub-paragraph (d) above refers was payable on account of his incapacity but has ceased to be payable in consequence of his becoming a patient within the meaning of regulation 16(5) (patients);
(9) For the purposes of paragraph (8), once paragraph (8)(c) applies to the claimant, if he then ceases, for a period of 56 days or less, to be incapable, or to be treated as incapable, of work, that paragraph shall, on his again becoming so incapable, or so treated as incapable, of work at the end of that period, immediately thereafter apply to him for so long as he remains incapable, or is treated as remaining incapable, of work.
(b) who is registered as blind in a register compiled under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948[52] (welfare services) or, in Scotland, has been certified as blind and in consequence he is registered as blind in a register maintained by or on behalf of a regional or islands council; or (c) who ceased to be registered as blind in such a register within the 28 weeks immediately preceding the date of claim.
(11) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a woman on maternity leave shall be treated as if she is engaged in remunerative work for the period specified in paragraph (12) ("the relevant period") provided that -
(b) the claimant incurred relevant child care charges within the meaning of paragraph (2) in that week; and (c) she is entitled to either statutory maternity pay under section 164 of the Contributions and Benefits Act or maternity allowance under section 35 of that Act.
(12) The relevant period shall begin on the day on which the woman's maternity leave commences and shall end on -
(b) if no child care element of working tax credit is in payment on the date that entitlement to maternity allowance or statutory maternity pay ends, the date that entitlement ends; or (c) if a child care element of working tax credit is in payment on the date that entitlement to maternity allowance or statutory maternity pay ends, the date that entitlement to that award of the child care element of working tax credit ends,
whichever shall occur first.
(b) exceeds a week, the amount to be included in the claimant's weekly income shall be determined -
(ii) in a case where that period is three months, by multiplying the amount of the payment by 4 and dividing the product by 52; (iii) in a case where that period is a year, by dividing the amount of the payment by 52; (iv) in any other case, by multiplying the amount of the payment by 7 and dividing the product by the number of days in the period in respect of which it is made.
(2) Where -
(b) the amount of the claimant's income fluctuates and has changed more than once,
the weekly amount of that claimant's income shall be determined -
(ii) in any other case, on the basis of -
(bb) the last four payments if the last two payments are less than one month apart; or (cc) calculating or estimating such other payments as may, in the particular circumstances of the case, enable the claimant's average weekly income to be determined more accurately.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the last payments are the last payments before the date the claim was made or treated as made or, if there is a subsequent supersession under paragraph 4 of Schedule 7 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000[54], the last payments before the date of the supersession.
(b) any payment made to the claimant in respect of any book registered under the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982[55]; and (c) any payment which is made on an occasional basis.
(6) The period under which any benefit under the benefit Acts is to be taken into account shall be the period in respect of which that benefit is payable.
(b) any amount to which paragraph (5) applies if the claimant or his partner is the first owner of the copyright, patent or trade mark, or the author of the book registered under the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982.
(9) Income specified in Schedule 4A is to be disregarded in the calculation of a claimant's income.
(b) the capital specified in Part II shall be disregarded for the purpose of determining a claimant's income under regulation 25(2).
(11) In the case of any income taken into account for the purpose of calculating a person's income, there shall be disregarded any amount payable by way of tax.
(b) in the amount of any personal tax relief; (c) in the rates of social security contributions payable under the Contributions and Benefits Act or in the lower earnings limit or upper earnings limit for Class 1 contributions under that Act, the lower or upper limits applicable to Class 4 contributions under that Act or the amount specified in section 11(4) of that Act (small earnings exception in relation to Class 2 contributions); (d) in the amount of tax payable as a result of an increase in the weekly rate of Category A, B, C or D retirement pension or any addition thereto or any graduated pension payable under the Contributions and Benefits Act; and (e) in the maximum rate of child tax credit or working tax credit,
for a period not exceeding 30 benefit weeks beginning with the benefit week immediately following the date from which the change is effective. Earnings of employed earners 30. - (1) Subject to paragraph (2), "earnings" means in the case of employment as an employed earner, any remuneration or profit derived from that employment and includes -
(b) any payment in lieu of remuneration except any periodic sum paid to a claimant on account of the termination of his employment by reason of redundancy; (c) any payment in lieu of notice; (d) any holiday pay; (e) any payment by way of a retainer; (f) any payment made by the claimant's employer in respect of expenses not wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the employment, including any payment made by the claimant's employer in respect of -
(ii) expenses incurred by the claimant under arrangements made for the care of a member of his family owing to the claimant's absence from home;
(g) the amount of any payment by way of a non-cash voucher which has been taken into account in the computation of a person's earnings in accordance with Part V of Schedule 3 to the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001[56];
(ii) by reason of pregnancy or confinement.
(2) Earnings shall not include -
(b) any payment in respect of expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the employment; (c) any occupational pension; (d) any lump sum payment made under the Iron and Steel Re-adaptation Benefits Scheme[59]; (e) any payment of compensation made pursuant to an award by an employment tribunal[60] established under the Employment Tribunals Act 1996[61] in respect of unfair dismissal or unlawful discrimination.
(3) Paragraph (2)(a) shall not apply in respect of any non-cash voucher referred to in paragraph (1)(g).
(ii) primary Class 1 contributions under the Contributions and Benefits Act;
(b) one half of any sum paid by the claimant by way of a contribution towards an occupational pension scheme;
(3) In this regulation, "qualifying contribution" means any sum which is payable periodically as a contribution towards a personal pension scheme.
(b) in any other case, by dividing the amount of the qualifying contribution by the number equal to the number of days in the period to which the qualifying contribution relates.
(5) Where the earnings of a claimant are determined under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2) of regulation 28 (calculation of weekly income), his net earnings shall be calculated by taking into account those earnings over the assessment period, less -
(b) an amount equivalent to the amount of the primary Class 1 contributions that would be payable by him under the Contributions and Benefits Act in respect of those earnings if such contributions were payable; and (c) one-half of any sum which would be payable by the claimant by way of a contribution towards an occupational or personal pension scheme, if the earnings so estimated were actual earnings.
Calculation of earnings of self-employed earners
(b) where the claimant has recently become engaged in that employment or there has been a change which is likely to affect the normal pattern of business, over such other period ("computation period") as may, in the particular case, enable the weekly amount of his earnings to be determined more accurately.
(2) For the purposes of determining the weekly amount of earnings of a claimant to whom paragraph (1)(b) applies, his earnings over the computation period shall be divided by the number equal to the number of days in that period and multiplying the quotient by 7.
(b) any payment made by a local authority to a claimant -
(ii) with whom a local authority foster a child under the Fostering of Children (Scotland) Regulations 1996[66];
(c) any payment made by a voluntary organisation in accordance with section 59(1)(a) of the Children Act 1989 (provision of accommodation by voluntary organisations);
(ii) a local authority; (iii) a voluntary organisation; (iv) the person concerned pursuant to section 26(3A) of the National Assistance Act 1948[67]; or (v) a primary care trust established under section 16A of the National Health Service Act 1977[68];
(e) any sports award.
Calculation of net profit of self-employed earners
(b) in the case of a self-employed earner whose employment is carried on in partnership, his share of the net profit derived from that employment, less -
(ii) one half of the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (10) in respect of any qualifying premium.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the net profit of the employment shall, except where paragraph (8) applies, be calculated by taking into account the earnings of the employment over the assessment period less -
(b) an amount in respect of -
(ii) social security contributions payable under the Contributions and Benefits Act,
calculated in accordance with regulation 35 (deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners); and
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the net profit of the employment shall be calculated by taking into account the earnings of the employment over the assessment period less, subject to paragraphs (4) to (7), any expenses wholly and exclusively incurred in that period for the purposes of the employment.
(b) the depreciation of any capital asset; (c) any sum employed or intended to be employed in the setting up or expansion of the employment; (d) any loss incurred before the beginning of the assessment period; (e) the repayment of capital on any loan taken out for the purposes of the employment; and (f) any expenses incurred in providing business entertainment.
(5) A deduction shall be made under paragraph (2)(a) or (3) in respect of the repayment of capital on any loan used for -
(b) the repair of an existing business asset except to the extent that any sum is payable under an insurance policy for its repair.
(6) The relevant authority shall refuse to make a deduction in respect of any expenses under paragraph (2)(a) or (3) where it is not satisfied given the nature and the amount of the expense that it has been reasonably incurred.
(b) a deduction shall be made thereunder in respect of -
(ii) any income expended in the repair of an existing business asset except to the extent that any sum is payable under an insurance policy for its repair; (iii) any payment of interest on a loan taken out for the purposes of the employment.
(8) Where a claimant is engaged in employment as a child minder the net profit of the employment shall be one third of the earnings of that employment, less -
(ii) social security contributions payable under the Contributions and Benefits Act,
calculated in accordance with regulation 35 (deduction of tax and contributions for self-employed earners); and
(9) For the avoidance of doubt where a claimant is engaged in employment as a self-employed earner and he is also engaged in one or more other employments as a self-employed or employed earner any loss incurred in any one of his employments shall not be offset against his earnings in any other of his employments.
(b) in any other case, by dividing the amount of the qualifying premium by the number equal to the number of days in the period to which the qualifying premium relates.
(11) In this regulation, "qualifying premium" means any premium which is payable periodically in respect of a retirement annuity contract or a personal pension scheme and is so payable on or after the date of claim.
(b) the amount of Class 4 contributions (if any) which would be payable under section 15 of the Contributions and Benefits Act (Class 4 contributions recoverable under the Income Tax Acts) at the percentage rate applicable at the date of claim on so much of the chargeable income as exceeds the lower limit but does not exceed the upper limit of profits and gains applicable for the tax year in which the date of claim falls; but if the assessment period is less than a year, those limits shall be reduced pro rata.
(3) In this regulation "chargeable income" means -
(b) in the case of employment as a child minder, one third of the earnings of that employment.
Notional income
(ii) to which he might expect to be entitled if a claim for it were made;
(b) income from an occupational pension scheme which the claimant elected to defer.
(2) Where a person, aged not less than 60, is a person entitled to money purchase benefits under an occupational pension scheme or a personal pension scheme, or is a party to, or a person deriving entitlement to a pension under, a retirement annuity contract, and -
(ii) he fails to take any necessary action to secure that the whole of any income which would be payable to him by his pension fund holder upon his applying for it, is so paid; or (iii) income withdrawal is not available to him under that scheme; or
(b) in the case of a retirement annuity contract, he fails to purchase an annuity with the funds available under that contract,
the amount of any income foregone shall be treated as possessed by him, but only from the date on which it could be expected to be acquired were an application for it to be made.
(b) in any other case, from the first Monday in April in that year,
to the date on which the altered rate is to take effect.
(b) the payment is made to the trustee in bankruptcy or any other person acting on behalf of the creditors; and (c) the person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and his partner does not possess, or is not treated as possessing, any other income apart from that payment.
Capital limit
(b) working tax credit; (c) state pension credit,
if the payment was made in respect of a period for the whole or part of which housing benefit was paid before those arrears were paid.
(ii) the amount of any encumbrance secured on it;
(b) in the case of a National Savings Certificate -
(ii) in any other case, at its purchase price.
Calculation of capital outside the United Kingdom
(b) in a case where there is such a prohibition, at the price which it would realise if sold in the United Kingdom to a willing buyer,
less, where there would be expenses attributable to sale, 10 per cent. and the amount of any encumbrance secured on it.
(b) not depriving himself of it if the disposal was for the purpose of -
(ii) purchasing goods or services if the expenditure was reasonable in the circumstances of the claimant's case.
(3) Where a claimant stands in relation to a company in a position analogous to that of a sole owner or partner in the business of that company, he shall be treated as if he were such sole owner or partner and in such a case -
(b) he shall, subject to paragraph (4), be treated as possessing an amount of capital equal to the value or, as the case may be, his share of the value of the capital of that company and the foregoing provisions of this Chapter shall apply for the purposes of calculating that amount as if it were actual capital which he does possess.
(4) For so long as a claimant undertakes activities in the course of the business of the company, the amount which he is treated as possessing under paragraph (3) shall be disregarded.
(ii) a week which follows that relevant week and which satisfies those conditions,
shall be reduced by an amount determined under paragraph (3);
(ii) that relevant week is a week in which the condition in paragraph (4) is satisfied,
shall be reduced by the amount determined under paragraph (4).
(2) This paragraph applies to a benefit week where the claimant satisfies the conditions that -
(b) but for regulation 42(1), he would have received an additional amount of housing benefit in that week.
(3) In a case to which paragraph (2) applies, the amount of the reduction for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) shall be equal to the aggregate of -
(b) where the claimant has also claimed state pension credit, the amount of any state pension credit or any additional amount of state pension credit to which he would have been entitled in respect of the benefit week to which paragraph (2) refers but for the application of regulation 21(1) of the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002[72] (notional capital); (c) where the claimant has also claimed council tax benefit, the amount of any council tax benefit or any additional amount of council tax benefit to which he would have been entitled in respect of the benefit week to which paragraph (2) refers but for the application of regulation 34(1) of the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992[73] (notional capital); (d) where the claimant has also claimed a jobseeker's allowance, the amount of an income-based jobseeker's allowance to which he would have been entitled in respect of the benefit week to which paragraph (2) refers but for the application of regulation 113 of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996[74] (notional capital).
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) the condition is that the claimant would have been entitled to housing benefit in the relevant week but for regulation 42(1), and in such a case the amount of the reduction shall be equal to the aggregate of -
(b) if the claimant would, but for regulation 21 of the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002, have been entitled to state pension credit in respect of the benefit week, within the meaning of regulation 1(2) of those Regulations (interpretation), which includes the last day of the relevant week, the amount to which he would have been entitled and, for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, if the amount is in respect of a part-week, that amount shall be determined by dividing the amount of the state pension credit to which he would have been so entitled by the number equal to the number of days in the part-week and multiplying the quotient so obtained by 7; (c) if the claimant would, but for regulation 34(1) of the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992, have been entitled to council tax benefit or to an additional amount of council tax benefit in respect of the benefit week which includes the last day of the relevant week, the amount which is equal to -
(ii) in any other case, the amount equal to the additional amount of council tax benefit to which he would have been entitled;
and, for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, if the amount is in respect of a part-week, that amount shall be determined by dividing the amount of the council tax benefit to which he would have been so entitled by the number equal to the number of days in the part-week and multiplying the quotient so obtained by 7;
(5) The amount determined under paragraph (4) shall be re-determined under that paragraph if the claimant makes a further claim for housing benefit and the conditions in paragraph (6) are satisfied, and in such a case -
(b) subject to paragraph (7), the amount as re-determined shall have effect from the first week following the relevant subsequent week in question.
(6) The conditions are that -
(ii) in a case where there has been at least one re-determination in accordance with paragraph (5), the date on which he last made a claim for housing benefit which resulted in the weekly amount being re-determined; or (iii) the date on which he last ceased to be entitled to housing benefit,
whichever last occurred; and
(7) The amount as re-determined pursuant to paragraph (5) shall not have effect if it is less than the amount which applied in that case immediately before the re-determination and in such a case the higher amount shall continue to have effect.
(ii) any other period of less than a week for which either of those benefits is payable;
(b) "part-week" in paragraph (4)(c) means a period of less than a week for which council tax benefit is allowed;
(ii) was taken into account on a subsequent occasion for the purpose of determining or re-determining his entitlement to housing benefit on that subsequent occasion and that determination or re-determination resulted in his beginning to receive, or ceasing to receive, housing benefit;
and where more than one benefit week is identified by reference to heads (i) and (ii) of this sub-paragraph, means the later or latest such benefit week;
Capital jointly held
Provisions which do not apply
(b) regulations 66 and 67 (benefit period).
Continuing payments where state pension credit claimed
62B. - (1) This regulation applies where -
(b) paragraph (2) is satisfied; and (c) either -
(ii) the claimant's partner has actually claimed state pension credit.
(2) This regulation is only satisfied if the Secretary of State has certified to the relevant authority that the claimant's partner has actually claimed state pension credit or that -
(ii) income-based jobseeker's allowance has terminated because the claimant has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit or the age of 65; and
(b) the claimant has claimed or is treated as having claimed or is required to make a claim for state pension credit.
(3) In a case to which this regulation applies, housing benefit shall continue to be paid for the period of 4 weeks beginning on the day following the day the claimant's entitlement to income support or, as the case may be, income-based jobseeker's allowance, ceased, if and for so long as the claimant otherwise satisfies the conditions for entitlement to housing benefit.
(b) subject to paragraph (5), the appropriate maximum housing benefit of the claimant shall be that which was applicable in his case immediately before that period commenced.
(5) The appropriate maximum housing benefit shall be calculated in accordance with regulation 61(1) if, since the date it was last calculated -
(b) a change in the deduction under regulation 63 falls to be made.".
Amendment of regulation 63
(c) in respect of a non-dependant aged 18 or over to whom neither sub-paragraph (a) nor sub-paragraph (b) applies, £7.40.";
(b) in paragraph (7) after sub-paragraph (d), insert the following sub-paragraph -
Council Tax Benefit Regulations 12. - (1) The Council Tax Benefit Regulations shall have effect, except where paragraph (2) applies, in relation to any person who has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit subject to the modifications set out in this Part, Part 4 and Schedule 2. (2) This paragraph applies if the claimant or, if the claimant has a partner, his partner, is a person on income support or on an income-based jobseeker's allowance within the meaning of the Council Tax Benefit Regulations[76]. (3) In this Part, references to regulations and Schedules are, unless the context otherwise requires, references to regulations of and Schedules to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations. (4) Reference in any provision which has effect in accordance with this Part to a provision of the Housing Benefit Regulations is to the provision in those Regulations as modified by Part 2 of these Regulations. Interpretation 13. - (1) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in paragraph (1) -
(b) in relation to any other income, in accordance with regulation 20 for the purpose of calculating the weekly income of the claimant;";
(b) for the definition of "the benefit Acts", substitute -
(2) In that regulation, after paragraph (4A)[81], insert -
Persons from abroad
Applicable amounts
8. - (1) Subject to Schedule A1 (treatment of claims for council tax benefit by refugees), the applicable amount of a person who has attained or whose partner has attained the qualifying age for state pension credit shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as apply in his case -
(b) an amount in respect of any child or young person who is a member of his family, determined in accordance with paragraph 2 of that Schedule; (c) if he is a member of a family of which at least one member is a child or young person, an amount determined in accordance with paragraph 3(1) of Part II of that Schedule (family premium); (d) if he is a member of a family of which one member is a child under the age of one year, an additional amount determined in accordance with paragraph 3(2) of Part II of that Schedule; (e) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to him, determined in accordance with Parts III and IV of that Schedule (premiums).
(2) Paragraph (3) applies in the case of -
(b) a claimant who has a partner one or both of whom; or (c) a claimant who is a member of a polygamous marriage one or more of whose members,
is or are a patient, and has or have been a patient for a period exceeding 13 weeks but not exceeding 52 weeks, or, in exceptional circumstances, is unlikely to substantially exceed 52 weeks ("long term patient").
(b) has a partner and either the claimant or his partner is a long term patient, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to 20 per cent. of the weekly rate of the basic pension for the time being specified in section 44(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ("the standard reduction"); (c) has a partner and both the claimant and his partner are long term patients, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to twice the sum of the standard reduction; (d) is a member of a polygamous marriage and one or more members of the marriage are long term patients, the applicable amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount equal to the standard reduction multiplied by the number of members who are long term patients.
(4) Any calculation made for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be rounded to the nearest 5 pence, 2.5 pence being rounded to the next 5 pence above.
(2) After Schedule 1, insert - 1. The amount specified in column (2) below in respect of each person or couple specified in column (1) shall be the amount specified for the purposes of regulation 8 -
2. - (1) The amounts specified in column (2) below in respect of each person specified in column (1) shall, for the relevant period specified in column (1), be the amounts specified for the purposes of regulation 8(1)(b) -
(2) In column (1) |