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The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule

Publication 2000-11-17

Last updated 2016-04-01

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Made: 17th November 2000

Coming into operation: 19th March 2001

The Department for Social Development, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 3(2C), (2D) and (4), 5(1)(f)(iii) and (2), 5A(1)(e)(ii), 6(5), 10(1A)(a) to (c) and (2), 11(1) and (10), 14(1), (2) and (4)(a) and (b), 15(2A), 19(1A), 21(8) and (10), 22(3), (4), (6) and (8), 22A(3), (5)(b), (6) and (8), 22B(3) to (8) and 36(2) of, and paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 8A(1) and (2), 9, 9A to 9D and 10(1) to (4), 11(2), 12 and 15 of Schedule 1 to, the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995[^f00001], sections 167D and 171(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992[^f00002] and Articles 69(1) and 73(4) of the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999[^f00003], and now vested in it[^f00004], and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1

(1) These Regulations shall be cited as the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and shall come into operation on 19th March 2001.

(2) In these Regulations, “the principal Regulations” means the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996[^f00005].

(3) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954[^f00006] shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2

(1) The principal Regulations shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) After Part I there shall be inserted the following Part—

(3A) (1) For the purposes of Article 3(4) of the Order (entitlement), a joint-claim couple shall include any joint-claim couple within the meaning given in Article 3(4) of the Order where at least one member was born after 19th March 1976, unless a member of the couple is treated as responsible for a child or young person under regulation 77(3) (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as responsible or not responsible for another), or the couple has care of a child or young person in one or more of the circumstances mentioned in regulation 78(4)[^f00007] (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being a member of the household), or a child or young person is living with either member of the couple in the circumstances mentioned in regulation 78(8). (2) In a case where a person would (but for these Regulations) be a member of more than one joint-claim couple, a joint-claim couple means the couple of which he is a member which that person nominates (or in default of such nomination, which the Department nominates), to the exclusion of any other couple of which he is a member. (3B) (1) Where a joint-claim couple cease to be a joint-claim couple because they become, or are treated as, responsible for one or more children— (a) any claim made by both members of that couple for a jobseeker’s allowance may be treated as a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made by either member of that couple; (b) any award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of that couple may be terminated and may be replaced by a replacement award, where the conditions specified in paragraph (2) have been complied with. (2) The conditions specified in this paragraph are that a member of the couple— (a) provides such evidence as the Department may require confirming that the couple are responsible for one or more children, and (b) advises the Department as to which member of the couple is to be the claimant. (3) The claim by a member of the couple for a jobseeker’s allowance referred to in paragraph (1)(a) shall be treated as made on the date on which he and his partner were treated as having claimed a jobseeker’s allowance as a joint-claim couple as determined in accordance with regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations[^f00008]. (4) In this regulation, “replacement award” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by paragraph 9A[^f00009] of Schedule 1 to the Order (continuity of claims and awards: persons ceasing to be a joint-claim couple). (3C) (1) Paragraph (2) shall apply where a couple become a joint-claim couple because the child, or all the children, for which they were responsible have— (a) died; (b) ceased to be a child or children for whom they are responsible, or (c) reached the age of 16 and are no longer receiving full-time education for the purposes of section 138 of the Benefits Act. (2) In a case to which this paragraph applies— (a) any claim made by either member of that couple for a jobseeker’s allowance may be treated as a claim made by both members of the couple; (b) any award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance, or a replacement award, in respect of either member of that couple may be terminated and may be replaced by a new award in respect of the couple, where the conditions specified in paragraph (3) have been complied with. (3) The conditions specified in this paragraph are that the Department— (a) has sufficient evidence to decide whether a new award should be made, and (b) is informed as to which member of the couple is to be the nominated member for the purposes of Article 5B[^f00010] of the Order (joint-claim couples: the nominated member). (4) The claim by both members of the joint-claim couple for a jobseeker’s allowance referred to in paragraph (2)(a) shall be treated as made on the date on which the claim by a member of that couple was treated as made in accordance with regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations. (5) For the purposes of paragraphs 6 and 7 of Schedule 2 (housing costs), any award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance which related to the day before the day on which the relevant event specified in paragraph (1) occurred and any new award referred to in paragraph (2)(b) shall be treated as a continuous award of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance. (6) In this regulation, “new award” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by paragraph 9C[^f00011] of Schedule 1 to the Order (continuity of claims and awards: couple becoming a joint-claim couple). (7) In this regulation, “replacement award” shall have the meaning ascribed to it by paragraph 9A of Schedule 1 to the Order (continuity of claims and awards: persons ceasing to be a joint-claim couple). (3D) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a joint-claim couple are entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance where— (a) the members of that couple claim a jobseeker’s allowance jointly; (b) one member satisfies the conditions set out in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) and (e) to (i) of the Order (entitlement), and (c) the other member— (i) does not satisfy the conditions set out in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order; (ii) satisfies the conditions set out in Article 3(2)(e) and (h) of the Order, and (iii) subject to paragraph (3), is a person to whom any paragraph of Schedule A1[^f00012] applies, and (d) the conditions set out in Article 5A[^f00013] of the Order (the conditions for claims by joint-claim couples) are satisfied in relation to the couple. (2) A member of a joint-claim couple who falls within any paragraph in Schedule A1 for the purposes of this regulation for any day in a benefit week shall fall within that category for the whole of that week. (3) Subject to paragraph (4), paragraph 2 of Schedule A1 (students) may only apply to a member of a joint-claim couple in respect of one claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made jointly by that couple in respect of a jobseeking period applying to the other member of that couple. (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), paragraph 2 of Schedule A1 may apply to a member of a joint-claim couple in respect of a further claim for a jobseeker’s allowance made jointly by the couple where the couple’s previous entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance ceased because one member of the couple— (a) was engaged in remunerative work; (b) had been summoned to jury service, or (c) was within a linked period as prescribed in regulation 48(2)[^f00014] (linking periods). (3E) (1) A member of a joint-claim couple is entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance if, without making a claim jointly for that allowance with the other member of the couple— (a) he satisfies the conditions set out in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) and (e) to (i) of the Order; (b) he satisfies the conditions set out in Article 5 of the Order (the income-based conditions), and (c) the other member of that couple fails to meet the conditions of entitlement set out in Article 3(2B)(b)[^f00015] of the Order (entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance) and is a person to whom paragraph (2) applies. (2) This paragraph applies to a member of a joint-claim— (a) who has failed to attend at the time and place specified by an employment officer for the purposes of regulation 6 of the Claims and Payments Regulations; (b) in respect of whom it has been determined by the Department that the conditions in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order have not been satisfied but only for so long as it has been so determined in respect of that member; (c) who is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland; (d) who is a person from abroad as defined for the purposes of regulation 85 and Schedule 4; (e) who is subject to immigration control within the meaning of section 115(9) of the Immigration and Asylum Act[^f00016]; (f) who is over pensionable age; (g) who is engaged, or has agreed to be engaged, in remunerative work for more than 16 hours per week but less than 24 hours per week; (h) who has claimed a maternity allowance payable in accordance with section 35 of the Benefits Act or who has claimed statutory maternity pay payable in accordance with Part XII of that Act; (i) who is or has been pregnant and to whom sub-paragraph (h) does not apply but only for the period commencing 11 weeks before the expected week of confinement and ending 7 weeks after the date on which the pregnancy ends; (j) in respect of whom there is an order under section 155 of the Administration Act[^f00017] (reciprocal agreements with countries outside the United Kingdom) giving effect to a reciprocal agreement which, for the purposes of jobseeker’s allowance, has effect as if a payment made by another country is to be treated as a payment of a jobseeker’s allowance, or (k) who is in receipt of statutory sick pay and who, immediately before he became incapable of work, was engaged in remunerative work for more than 16 hours per week. (3F) A transitional case couple shall be entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance without having made a claim for it jointly for the period beginning on, and including, the day on which Article 56 of, and Schedule 7 to, the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 comes into operation[^f00018] and ending on the day on which the member of the transitional case couple who was not entitled to an income-based jobseeker’s allowance on the coming into operation of that Schedule is required to attend at a place specified by an employment officer in a notification given or sent to that member. (3G) Where a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance has been made jointly by a joint-claim couple, information relating to that claim may be supplied by the Department to either or both members of that couple for any purpose connected with that claim.

(3) After Part IX (hardship) there shall be inserted the following Part—

(146A) (1) In this Part, a “couple in hardship” means for the purposes of regulation 146C (circumstances in which a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable where a joint-claim couple is a couple in hardship) a joint-claim couple who are claiming a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, other than a couple w hich includes a member to whom paragraph (3) or (4) applies where— (a) the woman member of the joint-claim couple is pregnant and the Department is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, she will suffer hardship; (b) one or both members of the couple are members of a polygamous marriage, one member of the marriage is pregnant and the Department is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, she will suffer hardship; (c) the award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance includes, or would, if a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance from the couple were to succeed, have included in their applicable amount a disability premium and— (i) where the couple have an award, a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is not payable either because it is suspended or because Article 22A[^f00019] of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) applies in the couple’s case, and (ii) the Department is satisfied that, unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the member of the couple who would have caused the disability premium to be applicable to the couple would suffer hardship; (d) either member of the couple suffers from a chronic medical condition which results in functional capacity being limited or restricted by physical impairment and the Department is satisfied that— (i) the suffering has already lasted or is likely to last, for not less than 26 weeks, and (ii) unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the probability is that the health of the person suffering would, within 2 weeks of the Department making its decision, decline further than that of a normally healthy adult and the member of the couple who suffers from that condition would suffer hardship; (e) either member of the couple, or where a member of that couple is married to more than one person under a law which permits polygamy, one member of that marriage, devotes a considerable portion of each week to caring for another person who— (i) is in receipt of an attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at one of the two higher rates prescribed under section 72(4) of the Benefits Act (the care component); (ii) has claimed either attendance allowance or disability living allowance, but only for so long as the claim has not been determined, or for 26 weeks from the date of claiming, whichever is the earlier, or (iii) has claimed either attendance allowance or disability living allowance and has an award of either attendance allowance or the care component of disability living allowance at one of the two higher rates prescribed under section 72(4) of the Benefits Act for a period commencing after the date on which that claim was made, and the Department is satisfied, after taking account of the factors set out in paragraph (6) in so far as they are appropriate to the particular circumstances of the case, that the person providing the care will not be able to continue doing so unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid; (f) Article 18 of the Order (severe hardship) applies to either member of the couple by virtue of a direction issued by the Department, except where the member of the joint-claim couple to whom the direction applies does not satisfy the requirements of Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order; (g) Article 5A(1)(e)(ii) of the Order[^f00020] (member of joint-claim couple under the age of 18) applies to either member of the couple and the Department is satisfied that unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid, the couple will suffer hardship, or (h) one or both members of the couple is a person— (i) who, pursuant to the Children Order, was being looked after by an authority, as defined in Article 2 of that Order; (ii) with whom the authority had a duty, pursuant to that Order, to take reasonable steps to keep in touch, or (iii) who, pursuant to that Order, qualified for advice or assistance from an authority, but in respect of whom head (i), (ii) or, as the case may be, (iii) had not applied for a period of 3 years or less as at the date on which the requirements of regulation 146F are complied with, and (iv) as at the date on which the requirements of regulation 146F are complied with, that member is, or both of those members are, under the age of 21. (2) Except in a case to which paragraph (3), (4) or (5) applies, a “couple in hardship” means for the purposes of regulation 146D, a joint-claim couple where the Department is satisfied, after taking account of the factors set out in paragraph (6) in so far as they are appropriate to the particular circumstances of the case, that the couple will suffer hardship unless a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid. (3) In paragraph (1) and (2), a “couple in hardship” does not include a couple one of whose members is entitled to income support or who falls within a category of persons prescribed for the purposes of section 123(1)(e) of the Benefits Act[^f00021] (income support). (4) Paragraph (1)(e) shall not apply in a case where the person being cared for resides in a residential care or nursing home. (5) In paragraph (2), a “couple in hardship” does not include a joint-claim couple where Article 22A(2)(b) or (c)[^f00022] of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) applies to either or both members by virtue of any act or omission relating to a New Deal option. (6) Factors which, for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), the Department is to take into account in determining whether a joint-claim couple will suffer hardship are— (a) the presence in the joint-claim couple of a person who satisfies the requirements for a disability premium specified in paragraphs 20H (additional conditions for higher pensioner and disability premium) and 20I (severe disability premium) of Schedule 1; (b) the resources which, without a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, are likely to be available to the joint-claim couple, the amount by which these resources fall short of the amount applicable in their case in accordance with regulation 146G (applicable amount in hardship cases for joint-claim couples), the amount of any resources which may be available to the joint-claim couple from any person in the couple’s household who is not a member of the family and the length of time for which those factors are likely to persist; (c) whether there is a substantial risk that essential items, including food, clothing, heating and accommodation, will cease to be available to the joint-claim couple, or will be available at considerably reduced levels, the hardship that will result and the length of time those factors are likely to persist. (146B) (1) A joint-claim couple which is not a couple in hardship by virtue of regulation 146A(5) shall not be a couple in hardship throughout the period beginning on, and including, the day on which a New Deal decision has effect by virtue of regulation 69[^f00023] or, as the case may be, by virtue of regulation 7(8)[^f00024] of the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999[^f00025] in relation to either or both members of that couple and ending— (a) on the last day on which a member is required to participate in a New Deal option, or (b) on the day which is 14 days after the day on which the New Deal decision had effect, whichever is the later. (2) Where a joint-claim couple who are not a couple in hardship by virtue of regulation 146A(5) was a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D immediately before the commencement of the period referred to in paragraph (1), that couple shall, subject to paragraph (3), again become a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D on the day following the expiration of that period. (3) A joint-claim couple to whom paragraph (2) applies shall not again become a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D if— (a) the day following the day the period referred to in paragraph (1) expires is a day within a period in respect of which a subsequent New Deal decision applies by virtue of paragraph (1), or (b) on the day following the expiration of the period referred to in paragraph (1), they are not a couple in hardship for the purposes of regulation 146D. (4) In this regulation, “New Deal decision” means a decision that Article 22A(2)(b) or (c) of the Order (circumstances in which a jobseeker’s allowance is not payable) applies to a member of a joint-claim couple by virtue of an act or omission relating to one of the New Deal options. (146C) (1) This regulation applies where a joint-claim couple is a couple in hardship within the meaning of regulation 146A(1) and is subject to the provisions of regulations 146E and 146F. (2) Subject to paragraph (3), a couple in hardship referred to in paragraph (1), other than a couple in hardship where either or both members are persons to whom regulation 46(1) (waiting days) applies, shall be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for the period— (a) beginning with, and including, the 4th day of the jobseeking period or, if later, from, and including, the day the couple first becomes a couple in hardship, and (b) ending on the day before the claim is determined, where the sole reason for the claim being determined on that day and not earlier is that a question arises as to whether either or both members satisfy the conditions of entitlement in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the conditions set out in Article 3(2B)(c) of the Order. (3) A couple in hardship to whom paragraph (2) applies may be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period after the date referred to in that paragraph which is applicable in their case but before the date of the statement referred to in regulation 146E(1) is furnished where the Department is satisfied that that couple suffered hardship because of lack of resources during that period. (4) A couple in hardship, except where either or both members have been treated as not available for employment in accordance with regulations under Article 8(4) of the Order (availability for employment) shall, subject to the conditions specified in regulation 146E (conditions for hardship payments), be entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance without both members satisfying the requirements of Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to that benefit. (5) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a joint-claim couple who are a couple in hardship even though payment to the couple of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been suspended in accordance with regulations made under Article 21 of the 1998 Order (suspension in prescribed circumstances) on the ground that a doubt has arisen as to whether either joint-claimant satisfies the requirements of Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order, but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as— (a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, or (b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in Article 3(2B)(b) of the Order). (6) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a couple in hardship even though Article 22A(5)(a) of the Order (denial of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to the couple or Article 22A(5)(b) of the Order (reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) reduces the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable to the couple but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as— (a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, or (b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in Article 3(2B)(b) of the Order). (146D) (1) This regulation applies to a couple in hardship falling within paragraph (2) but not paragraph (1) of regulation 146A and is subject to the provisions of regulations 146E and 146F. (2) A couple in hardship shall be treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period commencing on, and including, whichever is the later of— (a) the 15th day following the date of claim disregarding any waiting days, or (b) the day on which regulation 146E is complied with, and ending on the day before the claim is determined where the sole reason for the claim being determined on that day and not earlier is that a question arises as to whether either or both members of that couple satisfy the conditions of entitlement in Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order provided the joint-claim couple satisfy the conditions set out in Article 3(2B)(c) of the Order. (3) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable, subject to paragraph (4), to a couple in hardship even though payment to them of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been suspended in accordance with regulations made under Article 21 of the 1998 Order (suspension and termination of benefit) on the ground that a doubt has arisen as to whether either or both members of that couple satisfy the requirements of Article 3(2)(a) to (c) of the Order but the allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as— (a) the joint-claim couple satisfy the other conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, or (b) one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in Article 3(2B)(b) of the Order). (4) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall not be payable in respect of the first 14 days of the period of suspension. (5) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to a couple in hardship even though Article 22A(5)(a) of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to them or Article 22A(5)(b) of the Order (reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) reduces the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable to them but the allowance— (a) shall not be payable under this paragraph in respect of the first 14 days of the period to which Article 22A of the Order applies, and (b) shall be payable thereafter only where the conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance are satisfied or where one member satisfies those conditions and the other member comes within any paragraph in Schedule A1 (categories of members not required to satisfy conditions in Article 3(2B)(b) of the Order). (146E) (1) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall not be payable in accordance with regulation 146C or, as the case may be, 146D, except where either member of the joint-claim couple has— (a) furnished on a form approved for the purpose by the Department or in such other form as it may in any particular case approve, a statement of the circumstances he relies upon to establish entitlement under regulation 146C or, as the case may be, regulation 146D, and (b) signed the statement. (2) The completed and signed form shall be delivered by either member to such office as the Department may specify. (146F) For the purposes of Article 22B(5) of, and paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 1 to, the Order, a member of a joint-claim couple shall provide to the Department information as to the circumstances of the alleged hardship of that couple. (146G) (1) The weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple to whom a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable in accordance with this Part shall be reduced by a sum equivalent to 40% or, in a case where a member of the joint-claim couple is either pregnant or seriously ill or where a member of the joint-claim couple is a member of a polygamous marriage and one of the members of that marriage is pregnant or seriously ill, 20% of the following amount— (a) where one member of the joint-claim couple or of the polygamous marriage is aged not less than 18 but less than 25 and the other member or, in the case of a polygamous marriage, each other member, is a person under 18 to whom Article 5A(1)(e)(ii) of the Order applies or is not subject to a direction under Article 18 of the Order (severe hardship), the amount specified in paragraph 1(1)(d) of Schedule 1, (b) where one member of the joint-claim couple or of the polygamous marriage (other than a member of a couple or polygamous marriage to whom sub-paragraph (a) applies) at least one of whom is aged not less than 18, the amount specified in paragraph 1(1)(e) of Schedule 1. (2) A reduction under paragraph (1) shall, if it is not a multiple of 5p, be rounded to the nearest such multiple or, if it is a multiple of 2.5p but not of 5p, to the next lower multiple of 5p. (146H) (1) This regulation applies to a joint-claim couple to whom— (a) payments of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance have been suspended in accordance with regulations made under Article 21 of the 1998 Order, (b) a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is paid under regulation 146C or 146D. (2) In the case of a joint-claim couple to whom— (a) this regulation applies, and (b) payments in respect of the benefit suspended fall to be made, any benefit paid or payable by virtue of regulation 146C(5) or 146D(3) shall be treated as having been paid on account of the suspended benefit and only the balance of the suspended benefit, if any, shall be payable.

(4) Before Schedule 1, there shall be inserted the Schedule at Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(5) The principal Regulations shall be further amended in accordance with Schedule 2.

SCHEDULE 1

SCHEDULE A1 (1) In this Schedule, “member” means a member of a joint-claim couple. (2) (1) A member who, at the date of claim— (a) is aged 16 or over but under 19 and is receiving full-time education for the purposes of section 138 of the Benefits Act (meaning of child); (b) is a full-time student; (c) has applied to an educational establishment to commence a full-time course of study commencing from the beginning of the next academic term or, as the case may be, the next academic year after the date of claim and that application has not been rejected, or (d) has been allocated a place on a full-time course of study commencing from the beginning of the next academic term or, as the case may be, the next academic year. (2) A member to whom sub-paragraph (1) applies and who has applied to an educational establishment to commence a full-time course of study— (a) within one month of the last day of a previous course of study, or (b) within one month of the day on which the member received examination results relating to a previous course of study, but this sub-paragraph shall not apply in respect of an application to commence a course of study beyond a first degree course or a comparable course. (3) A member to whom any provision of regulation 13(2)(b) to (e) of the Income Support Regulations[^f00026] (persons receiving relevant education who are severely handicapped, orphans and persons estranged from their parents or guardian) applies. (3) A member (the carer)— (a) who is regularly and substantially engaged in caring for another person if— (i) the person being cared for is 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 Benefits Act (the care component), or (ii) the person being cared for has claimed attendance allowance but only for the period up to the date of determination of that claim, or the period of 26 weeks from the date of that claim, whichever date is the earlier, or (iii) the person being cared for has claimed attendance allowance in accordance with section 65(6)(a) of the Benefits Act (claims in advance of entitlement), an award has been made in respect of that claim under section 65(6)(b) of that Act and, where the period for which the award is payable has begun, that person is in receipt of the allowance; (iv) the person being cared for has claimed entitlement to a disability living allowance but only for the period up to the date of determination of that claim, or the period of 26 weeks from the date of that claim, whichever date is the earlier, or (v) the person being cared for has claimed entitlement to the care component of a disability living allowance in accordance with regulation 13A[^f00027] of the Claims and Payments Regulations (advance claims and awards), an award at the highest or middle rate has been made in respect of that claim and, where the period for which the award is payable has begun, that person is in receipt of the allowance; (b) who is engaged in caring for another person and who is both entitled to, and in receipt of, an invalid care allowance. (4) A member to whom paragraph 3 applied, but only for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which that paragraph ceased to apply to him. (5) A member who, had he previously made a claim for, and had been entitled to, a jobseeker’s allowance, would have fulfilled the conditions of paragraph 3, but only for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which he ceased to fulfil those conditions. (6) A member who— (a) is incapable of work in accordance with the provisions of Part XIIA of the Benefits Act[^f00028] and the regulations made thereunder (incapacity for work); (b) is treated as incapable of work by virtue of regulations made under section 167D of that Act (persons to be treated as incapable or capable of work); (c) is treated as capable of work by virtue of regulations made under section 167E(1) of that Act (disqualification etc.), or (d) is entitled to statutory sick pay. (7) A member to whom regulation 53(c) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work) applies. (8) A member to whom regulation 53(h) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work) applies. (9) A member who is a student and— (a) if he were a single claimant, his applicable amount would have included the disability premium or severe disability premium, or (b) who has satisfied the provisions of paragraph 6 for a continuous period of not less than 196 days, and for this purpose any 2 or more separate periods separated by a break of not more than 56 days shall be treated as one continuous period. (10) A member who is a student in respect of whom— (a) a supplementary requirement has been determined under paragraph 9 of Schedule 6 to the Students Awards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999[^f00029] or a payment has been made under Article 50(3) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986[^f00030]; (b) a grant has been made under regulation 13 of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000[^f00031] or under regulaton 13 of the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2000[^f00032]; (c) a payment has been made under section 2 of the Education Act 1962[^f00033]; (d) a supplementary requirement has been determined under paragraph 9 of Part II of Schedule 2 to the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1999[^f00034], or (e) an allowance or, as the case may be, bursary has been granted which includes a sum under paragraph (1)(d) of regulation 4 of the Students' Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 1999[^f00035] or, as the case may be,under paragraph (1)(d) of regulation 4 of the Education Authority (Bursaries) (Scotland) Regulations 1995, in respect of expenses incurred, on account of his disability by reason of deafness. (11) A member who is registered as blind with a Health and Social Services Board established under Article 16 of the 1972 Order, but a person who has ceased to be registered as blind on regaining his eyesight shall nevertheless be treated as so registered for a period of 28 weeks following the date on which he ceased to be so registered. (12) A member who is a woman and who is incapable of work by reason of pregnancy. (13) A member aged not less than 60. (14) A member who is a refugee within the definition in Article 1 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28th July 1951[^f00036] as extended by Article 1(2) of the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31st January 1967[^f00037] and who— (a) is attending for more than 15 hours a week a course for the purpose of learning English so that he may obtain employment, and (b) on the date on which that course commenced, had been in Northern Ireland for not more than 12 months, but only for a period not exceeding 9 months. (15) A member who is required to attend court as a justice of the peace, a party to any proceedings, a witness or a juror. (16) A member who is engaged in training and for this purpose “training” means training for which persons aged less than 18 years are eligible, and for which persons aged 18 years or over and less than 25 years may be eligible, provided in Northern Ireland directly or indirectly by a Training Organisation pursuant to its arrangement with the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment (whether that arrangement is known as an Operating Agreement or by any other name). (17) A member who is or would be prevented from being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance by virtue of Article 16 of the Order (trade disputes) but only where that Article does not prevent the other member from being so entitled.

SCHEDULE 2 — Amendments to the principal Regulations

1

In regulation 1(2) (interpretation), at the end of the definition of “partner” there shall be added “but in so far as this definition applies to a member of a joint-claim couple, it shall only apply to such a member specified in regulation 3E(2)[^f00038]”.

2

After regulation 23 (attendance) there shall be inserted the following regulation—

(23A) Each member of a joint-claim couple shall attend at such place and at such time as an employment officer may specify by a notification which is given or sent to that member and which may be in writing, by telephone or by electronic means.

3

In regulation 24 (provision of information and evidence)—

(a) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(1A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall provide such information as to the circumstances of each or either member of the couple, the availability for employment of each or either member of the couple and the extent to which each or either member of the couple is actively seeking employment as may be required by the Department in order to determine the entitlement of the couple to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to the couple and, if so, in what amount.

(b) at the end of paragraph (3) there shall be inserted “, and in this paragraph “couple” does not include a joint-claim couple”;

(3A) Where entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance or whether that allowance is payable and, if so, in what amount, is or may be affected by the circumstances of any member of a polygamous marriage, the Department may require either member of the joint-claim couple to certify in writing that any member of the polygamous marriage confirms the information given about that member’s circumstances.

(d) after paragraph (5) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(5A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall furnish such certificates, documents and other evidence affecting the continuing entitlement of the couple to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to the couple and, if so, in what amount as the Department may require.

(e) in paragraph (7)(a)[^f00039], after “a jobseeker’s allowance” there shall be inserted “or, in the case of a joint-claim couple, the entitlement of the couple to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(f) in paragraph (8) after “paragraph (1)” there shall be inserted “, (1A)” and after “regulation 23” there shall be inserted “or 23A”;

(g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h) in paragraph (10) after “regulation 23” there shall be inserted “or 23A”.

4

In regulation 25(1) (entitlement ceasing on a failure to comply)—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

In regulation 26 (time at which entitlement is to cease)—

(a) in paragraph (a)[^f00042] for “the claimant” there shall be substituted “that claimant”;

(b) after “regulation 23” there shall be inserted “or 23A”.

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9

In regulation 34 (jobseeker’s agreement treated as having been made), after paragraph (e)[^f00043] there shall be added the following paragraph—

(f) if he is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland in the circumstances prescribed in regulation 50(6B)(a) or (c), for the period of any such temporary absence.

10

In regulation 46(1) (waiting days)—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (b) there shall be inserted “, or”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (b) there shall be added the following sub-paragraphs—

(c) a joint-claim couple are entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of themselves and that paragraph of that Schedule has already applied to one member of that couple in respect of a jobseeking period which is linked to a jobseeking period relating to that member which has commenced by virtue of his having claimed a jobseeker’s allowance as a member of that couple; (d) a joint-claim couple have claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly within 12 weeks of either member of that couple being entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance, income support, incapacity benefit or invalid care allowance; (e) a member of a joint-claim couple is both in receipt of a training allowance and is the nominated member for the purposes of Article 5B of the Order.

11

In regulation 47 (jobseeking period), at the end of paragraph (2)(b) there shall be added “or, where the claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, a jobseeker’s allowance is payable in accordance with Part IXA (hardship)”.

12

In regulation 49 (persons approaching retirement and the jobseeking period)—

(a) at the beginning of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted “Subject to paragraph (5),”;

(b) after paragraph (4) there shall be added the following paragraph—

(5) This regulation shall not apply in respect of any days in respect of which a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance has been claimed.

13

In regulation 50 (persons temporarily absent from Northern Ireland), after paragraph (6) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

(6A) A member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated, for the purposes of the Order, as being in Northern Ireland where he is a member of a transitional case couple as defined for the purposes of paragraph 8A(2) of Schedule 1 to the Order[^f00044], and as at the date on which Schedule 7 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 comes into operation— (a) he is temporarily absent from Northern Ireland, or (b) he has made definite arrangements to be temporarily absent from Northern Ireland from some future date, and that member shall be so treated during any such period of temporary absence from Northern Ireland. (6B) A member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated, for the purposes of the Order, as being in Northern Ireland during any period of temporary absence from Northern Ireland— (a) not exceeding 4 weeks where he is in Great Britain and the period of absence is unlikely to exceed 52 weeks; (b) not exceeding 4 weeks where he is in receipt of a training allowance during the period of absence and regulation 168 (persons in receipt of a training allowance) applies in his case, or (c) not exceeding 7 days where the absence is for the purpose of attending an interview for employment, where that member is so temporarily absent as at the date of claim by the other member of that couple.

14

In regulation 51 (remunerative work), in both paragraph (1)(a) and (2), for “the claimant” there shall be substituted “a claimant”.

15

In regulation 52 (persons treated as engaged in remunerative work)—

(a) in paragraph (2), after “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” in the first place where those words occur there shall be inserted “but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(2A) For the purposes of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, a member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated as engaged in remunerative work where— (a) he is or was involved in a trade dispute; (b) had the joint-claim couple of which he is a member claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, Article 16 of the Order (trade disputes) would have applied in the case of one or both members of that couple, and (c) the joint-claim couple were not entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance when that member of the joint-claim couple became involved in the trade dispute, and shall be so treated for a period of 7 days beginning on the date the stoppage of work commenced at that member’s place of employment or, if there was no stoppage of work, the date on which that member first withdrew his labour in furtherance of the trade dispute.

16

After regulation 53(g) (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work), there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(gg) he is— (i) a member of a joint-claim couple; (ii) involved in a trade dispute, and (iii) not a person to whom regulation 52(2A)[^f00045] applies, and had the joint-claim couple of which he is a member claimed a jobseeker’s allowance jointly, Article 16 of the Order (trade disputes) would have applied in the case of one or both members of that couple;

17

In regulation 55(1)(a)[^f00046] (short periods of sickness), after “Article 21(5) or (6)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)”.

18

For regulation 58 (young persons to whom Article 5(1)(f)(iii) or 5A(1)(e)(ii) of the Order applies), there shall be substituted the following regulation—

(58) For the period specified in relation to him, a young person to whom regulation 59, 60 or 61 applies shall be regarded as a person within prescribed circumstances for the purposes of Article 5(1)(f)(iii) or 5A(1)(e)(ii) of the Order (conditions of entitlement for certain persons under the age of 18).

19

In regulation 61 (other young persons in prescribed circumstances)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(d) and (e), after “Article 5(1)(f)(ii)” there shall be inserted “or Article 5A(1)(e)(i)”;

(b) in paragraph (1)(f), after “(6)(c) or (d)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b), (c), (f) or (g)”;

20

In regulation 62 (registration), after “Article 5(1)(f)(ii) or (iii)” there shall be inserted “or Article 5A(1)(e)(i) or (ii)”.

21

In regulation 63 (reduced payments under Article 19 of the Order)—

(a) in paragraph (1)[^f00047]—

(i) in sub-paragraph (b)—

(aa) after “Article 21(5)(b) or (c)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b) or (c)”;

(bb) after “Article 21(6)(a) or (b)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(d) or (e)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (c) after “Article 21(5)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)”, in both places where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)”;

(iii) in sub-paragraph (d) after “Article 21(5)(b)(iii)”, in both places where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(b) in paragraph (4) after “Article 21(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b)(iii)” and after “Article 21(5)(c)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(c)”.

22

In regulation 66(1) (the jobseeker’s agreement) after “Article 21” there shall be inserted “or 22A” and after “Articles 21 and 22” there shall be inserted “or 22A and 22B”.

23

In regulation 67 (sanctions)—

(a) in paragraph (1)[^f00048]—

(i) after “Article 21(5)(b)”, in each place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or Article 22A(2)(b)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (b), after “Article 21(5)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)” there shall be inserted “or Article 22A(2)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv)” and after “Article 21(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted “or Article 22A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) after “Article 21(6)(c) or (d)”, in each place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(f) or (g)”;

(ii) after “or (6) (c) or (d)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b) or (c)”;

(iii) after “Article 21(6)(a) or (b)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(d) or (e)”;

(i) after “Article 21(5)(b)(iii)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(b)(iii)”;

(ii) after “Article 21(5)(c)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(c)”.

24

In regulation 68(1) and (2)[^f00049] (reduced amount of allowance) after “a couple” there shall be inserted “(including a joint-claim couple)” and after “(6)(c) or (d)” there shall be inserted “or within Article 22A(2)(a) to (c), (f) or (g)”.

25

In regulation 69[^f00050] (prescribed period for the purposes of Article 21(2) and 22A(3))—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) for “Article 21(2)” there shall be substituted “Articles 21(2) and 22A(3)”;

(ii) after “Article 21(5)”, in each place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(a) to (c)”;

(b) in paragraph (2) for “Article 21(2)” there shall be substituted “Articles 21(2) and 22A(3)”;

(d) in paragraph (4)(c) after “Article 21(5) or (6)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)”.

26

In regulation 70[^f00051] (sanctions of discretionary length)—

(a) after “Article 21(3)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(4)”;

(b) after “Article 21(6)(a)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(d)”.

27

In regulation 72 (good cause for the purposes of Article 21(5)(a) and (6)(c) and (d) and Article 22A(2)(a), (f) and (g) of the Order)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted “and Article 22A (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance)”;

(b) in paragraphs (2)[^f00052], (4), (5) and (6) after “for the purposes of Article 21(5)(a) and (6)(c) and (d)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(a), (f) and (g)”;

(c) in both paragraphs (3A)[^f00053] and (5A)[^f00054] after “for the purposes of Article 21(6)(c) and (d)”, in each place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(f) and (g)”;

(d) in paragraph (8) after “for the purposes of Article 21(6)(d)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(g)”;

(e) in paragraph (9)(b)(ii) after “Article 21(6)(d)” there shall be inserted “or Article 22A(2)(g)”.

28

In regulation 73 (good cause for the purposes of Article 21(5)(b) and Article 22A(2)(b) of the Order)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted “and Article 22A (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance)”;

(b) in paragraphs (2), (2A) and (2B)[^f00055] after “for the purposes of Article 21(5)(b)”, in each place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(b)”;

(d) in paragraph (2B)(b) after “for the purposes of Article 21(5)(b)(iii) and (iv)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(b)(iii) and (iv)”.

29

In regulation 74 (person of prescribed description for the purpose of Article 22(3) and 22B(3) of the Order)—

(a) in paragraph (1)—

(i) after “Article 22(3)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22B(3)”;

(ii) after “Article 21(6)(b) or (d)” there shall be inserted “or 22A(2)(e) or (g)”;

(b) in paragraph (4), after “Article 22(3)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22B(3)”.

30

In regulation 74A[^f00056] (persons in receipt of a training allowance)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after “a claimant” there shall be inserted “other than a member of a joint-claim couple”;

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

(3) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable in respect of a joint-claim couple even though Article 22A of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance) prevents payment of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance to the couple where a member of that couple to whom that Article applies is in receipt of a training allowance and is not receiving training falling within regulation 168(2) (persons in receipt of a training allowance) but the jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable only if and for so long as that member satisfies the conditions of entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance other than those which he is not required to meet by virtue of regulation 168. (4) A joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance which is payable to a couple in accordance with this regulation shall be payable to the couple at the full rate applicable to it.

31

After regulation 74A there shall be inserted the following regulation—

(74B) (1) Where only one member of a joint-claim couple is subject to sanctions for the purposes of Article 22A of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance), the rate of jobseeker’s allowance payable in respect of the couple for the period of those sanctions shall be calculated in accordance with this regulation. (2) Where paragraph (1) applies, a reduced rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be payable to the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions. (3) That reduced rate shall be— (a) in any case in which the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions satisfies the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Order (the contribution-based conditions), a rate equal to the amount calculated in accordance with Article 6(1) of the Order (amount payable by way of a jobseeker’s allowance); (b) in any case where the couple are a couple in hardship for the purposes of Part IXA, a rate equal to the amount calculated in accordance with regulation 146G; (c) in any other case, a rate calculated in accordance with Article 6(3A)[^f00057] of the Order (amount payable by way of a jobseeker’s allowance) save that the applicable amount shall be the amount determined by reference to paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 which would have been the applicable amount had the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions been a single claimant.

32

In regulation 75[^f00058] (interpretation)—

(a) in paragraph (1) after “is not payable)” there shall be inserted “, Article 22A of the Order (denial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance)”;

(b) in paragraph (1)(b)(iii) after “(iv) and (c)” there shall be inserted “and Article 22A(2)(b)(iii) and (iv) and Article 22A(2)(c)”;

(c) in paragraph (2) after “paragraph (2)” there shall be inserted “and in Article 22A of the Order, except paragraph (3)”;

(d) in paragraph (3) after “Article 21(2) of the Order” there shall be inserted “, Article 22A(3) of the Order”;

(e) in paragraph (4) after “paragraph (9)” there shall be inserted “in Article 22A of the Order”.

33

In regulation 78 (circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being a member of the household)—

(a) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(1A) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the members of a joint-claim couple shall be treated for the purposes of the Order as members of the same household notwithstanding that they are temporarily living away from each other.

(b) in paragraph (2) for “Paragraph (1)” there shall be substituted “Paragraphs (1) and (1A)”;

(i) for “Paragraph (1)” there shall be substituted “Paragraphs (1) and (1A)”;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (c), for “the claimant” there shall be substituted “a claimant”.

34

For regulation 82 (income-based jobseeker’s allowance) there shall be substituted the following regulation—

(82) (1) Regulations 83 to 86 and 87 apply in the case of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance. (2) Regulations 86A to 86D only apply in the case of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance.

35

After regulation 86 there shall be inserted the following regulations—

(86A) Except in the case of a joint-claim couple where regulation 86B(polygamous marriages), 86C (special cases) or 86D (members of joint-claim couples in residential care and nursing homes) or Part X (urgent cases) applies, the applicable amount of a joint-claim couple who are jointly claiming a jobseeker’s allowance shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as may apply in their case— (a) an amount in respect of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 1; (b) an amount in respect of either or both members of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 (residential allowance); (c) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to either or both members of the joint-claim couple, determined in accordance with Parts IVA and IVB of Schedule 1 (premiums), and (d) any amounts determined in accordance with Schedule 2 (housing costs) which may be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of mortgage interest payments or such other housing costs as are prescribed in that Schedule. (86B) Except in the case of a joint-claim couple where regulation 86A (applicable amounts for joint-claim couples), 86C (special cases) or 86D (members of joint-claim couples in residential care and nursing homes) or Part X (urgent cases) applies, the applicable amount of a joint-claim couple who are jointly claiming a jobseeker’s allowance where either or both members of that couple are members of a polygamous marriage, shall be the aggregate of such of the following amounts as may apply in their case— (a) the highest amount applicable to a member of the joint-claim couple and one other member of that marriage determined in accordance with paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 1 as if those members were a couple; (b) an amount equal to the difference between the amounts specified in paragraph 1(1)(e) and (3)(e) of Schedule 1 in respect of each of the other members of the polygamous marriage who are members of that household; (c) an amount, whether in respect of a member of the joint-claim couple or any member of his household aged 16 or over, determined in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 (residential allowance); (d) the amount of any premiums which may be applicable to a member of the joint-claim couple determined in accordance with Parts IVA and IVB of Schedule 1 (premiums), and (e) any amounts determined in accordance with Schedule 2 (housing costs) which may be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of mortgage interest payments or such other housing costs as are prescribed in that Schedule. (86C) (1) Where a member of a joint-claim couple is a person to whom any paragraph in column (1) of Schedule 4A (applicable amounts in special cases for joint-claim couples) applies, the amount included in the joint-claim couple’s weekly applicable amount shall be the amount prescribed in the corresponding paragraph in column (2) of that Schedule. (2) Except where the amount prescribed in Schedule 4A in respect of a joint-claim couple includes an amount applicable under regulation 86A(c) or 86B(d), a person to whom paragraph (1) applies shall be treated as not falling within the conditions specified in paragraph 20I[^f00060] of Schedule 1 (severe disability premium). (3) In Schedule 4A, for the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 11 (persons in a residential care or nursing home who become patients), where a person has been a patient for 2 or more distinct periods separated by one or more intervals each not exceeding 28 days, he shall be treated as having been a patient continuously for a period equal in duration to the total of those distinct periods. (4) Expressions used in this regulation and in Schedule 4A shall have the same meaning as those expressions have for the purposes of regulation 85 (special cases) and Schedule 4 (applicable amounts in special cases) save that for the purposes of this regulation and of Schedule 4A, the definition of “person from abroad” in regulation 85(4)[^f00061] shall have effect as if after “a claimant” there were inserted “, other than a member of a joint-claim couple who is not the nominated member for the purposes of Article 5B[^f00062] of the Order (joint-claim couples: the nominated member)”. (86D) (1) Where either or both members of a joint-claim couple have a preserved right and that member or those members live in a residential care or nursing home, the weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple shall, except in a case to which regulation 86C (joint-claim couples: special cases) applies, be calculated in accordance with Schedule 3A. (2) A member of a joint-claim couple has a preserved right for the purposes of this regulation if he satisfies the requirements for a preserved right under regulation 19 of, and Schedule 4 to, the Income Support Regulations. (3) Expressions used in Schedule 3A shall have the same meaning as those expressions have for the purposes of Schedule 3. (4) Regulation 86(5) shall have effect for the purposes of this regulation as if for “a person resident in those premises shall be determined under Schedule 4” there were substituted “a joint-claim couple where either or both members of the couple are resident in those premises shall be determined under Schedule 3A.”.

36

In regulation 88(1) (calculation of income and capital of members of a claimant’s family and of a polygamous marriage), for “and to regulation” there shall be substituted “and regulations 88ZA (calculation of income and capital of a joint-claim couple) and”.

37

After regulation 88 there shall be inserted the following regulation—

(88ZA) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), the income and capital of a joint-claim couple shall be calculated by— (a) determining the income and capital of each member of that couple in accordance with this Part, and (b) aggregating the amount determined in respect of each member in accordance with sub-paragraph (a). (2) Where— (a) a member of a joint-claim couple is aged less than 18; (b) the other member is aged over 18, and (c) the applicable amount of the couple falls to be determined under paragraph 1(3)(g) or (h) of Schedule 1 (applicable amounts), the income of the joint-claim couple shall not be aggregated to the extent that the amount specified in paragraph 1(3)(e) of that Schedule exceeds the amount which applies in that case which is specified in paragraph 1(3)(g) or (h) of that Schedule. (3) Where a member of a joint-claim couple is married polygamously to 2 or more members of his household, the joint-claim couple shall be treated as possessing income and capital belonging to each such member and the income and capital of that member shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this Part in like manner as for each member of the joint-claim couple. (4) Regulations 99(2) (calculation of net earnings of employed earners) and 101(2) (calculation of net profit of self-employed earners) in so far as they relate to paragraphs 5, 7, 8 and 11 of Schedule 5 (earnings to be disregarded) shall not apply to a member of a joint-claim couple but there shall instead be disregarded from the net earnings of a member of a joint-claim couple any sum, where applicable, specified in— (a) paragraphs 1 to 4 and 13 to 16 of Schedule 5, and (b) paragraphs 1 to 6 of Schedule 5A.

38

In regulation 93(1) (calculation of income) for “Article 5(1)” there shall be substituted “Articles 5(1) (the income-based conditions) and 5A(1) (the conditions for claims by joint-claim couples)”.

39

In regulation 94(2)(b)[^f00063] (calculation of earnings derived from employed earner’s employment and income other than earnings), after “Schedule 5” there shall be inserted “and Schedule 5A”.

40

In regulation 95(2)(calculation of earnings of self-employed earners), after “Schedule 5” there shall be inserted “and Schedule 5A”.

41

In regulation 102C[^f00064] (calculation of income of participants in the self-employment route of the Employment Option of the New Deal)—

(a) in paragraph (3)(a), after “or his partner” there shall be inserted, “or, in the case of a joint-claim couple, the participant and the other member of the couple of which the participant is a member,”;

(b) in paragraph (4), after “Schedule 5” there shall be inserted “or paragraphs 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Schedule 5A”.

42

In regulation 105(10)(a)(ii)[^f00065] (notional income), for “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

43

In regulation 107[^f00066] (capital limit), after “15(1)” there shall be inserted “and (2A)”.

44

In regulation 113(3)(a)(ii)[^f00067] (notional capital), for “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

45

In regulation 140 (meaning of person in hardship)—

(a) in paragraph (1)[^f00068], after “applies” there shall be inserted “or a member of a joint-claim couple and regulation 3E does not apply”;

(b) in paragraph (2)[^f00069], after “applies” there shall be inserted “or where the person in hardship is a member of a joint-claim couple and regulation 3E does not apply”.

46

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48

In regulation 150 (amount of a jobseeker’s allowance payable), after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

(1A) In relation to a joint-claim couple jointly claiming a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, paragraph (1) shall have effect as if the references to the claimant were references to the joint-claim couple. (1B) Where a joint-claim couple become, or cease to be, a joint-claim couple on any day other than on the first day of a benefit week, the amount payable by way of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in respect of that benefit week shall be calculated by applying the formula in paragraph (1).

49

In regulation 151 (amount of a jobseeker’s allowance payable where a person is in a residential care or nursing home)—

(a) in paragraph (1), after “the claimant” in each place where those words occur there shall be inserted “or, as the case may be, the joint-claim couple”;

(b) in paragraph (2), after “weekly applicable amount” there shall be inserted “or, as the case may be, the weekly applicable amount of the joint-claim couple”.

50

In regulation 152 (relevant week)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(c)—

(i) after “Article 21” there shall be inserted “or 22A”;

(ii) after “that claimant” there shall be inserted “or the joint-claim couple”;

(b) at the beginning of paragraph (2) there shall be inserted “Except in a case to which paragraph (3) applies,”;

(3) Where a joint-claim couple have an award of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance and their benefit week changes, for the purpose of calculating the amounts of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable for the part-week beginning on the day after their last complete benefit week before the change and ending immediately before the change, the relevant week is the period of 7 days beginning on the day after the last complete benefit week.

51

In regulation 153 (modification in the calculation of income), for “or regulation 88(4)” there shall be substituted “, regulation 88(4) or 88ZA(3)”.

52

Regulation 155 (modification of Article 17(2) of the Order) shall be renumbered regulation 155(1) and—

(a) in the renumbered paragraph (1), after “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” in the first place where those words occur, there shall be inserted “but not a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance”;

(b) after the renumbered paragraph (1) there shall be added the following paragraph—

(2) In its application to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable for a part-week, Article 17(2)(d) of the Order shall have effect subject to the following modification— (d) any payment by way of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for that period or any part of it which apart from this paragraph would be made to the nominated member for the purposes of Article 5B of the Order— (i) shall not be made, if the amount of joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance which would be payable for less than a week is equal to or less than the proportion of the prescribed sum appropriate to the number of days in the part-week; (ii) shall be at a rate equal to the difference between the amount which would be payable for a period of less than a week and the prescribed sum where that amount would be more than the prescribed sum.

53

(1) Schedule 1 (applicable amounts) shall be amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) In paragraph 1, for “and 84(1)” there shall be substituted “, 84(1), 86A and 86B”.

(3) In paragraph 3(1), for “and 84(1)(d)” there shall be substituted “, 84(1)(d), 86A(b) and 86B(c)”.

(4) After Part IV there shall be inserted the following Parts—

(20A) Except as provided in paragraph 20B, the weekly premium specified in Part IVB shall, for the purposes of regulations 86A(c) and 86B(d), be applicable to a joint-claim couple where either or both members of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition specified in paragraphs 20E to 20J in respect of that premium. (20B) Subject to paragraph 20C, where a member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the conditions in respect of more than one premium in this Part, only one premium shall be applicable to the joint-claim couple in respect of that member and, if they are different amounts, the higher or highest amount shall apply. (20C) (1) The severe disability premium to which paragraph 20I applies may be applicable in addition to any other premium which may apply under this Part. (2) The carer premium to which paragraph 20J applies may be applicable in addition to any other premium which may apply under this Part. (20D) (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), for the purposes of this Part, once a premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple under this Part, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of any benefit— (a) in the case of a benefit to which the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979[^f00071] applies, for any period during which, apart from the provisions of those Regulations, he would be in receipt of that benefit, and (b) for any period spent by a person in undertaking a course of training or instruction provided or arranged by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment under sections 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945[^f00072] or section 1(1) of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950[^f00073] or for any period during which he is in receipt of a training allowance. (2) For the purposes of the carer premium under paragraph 20J, a person shall be treated as being in receipt of invalid care allowance 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 Benefits Act. (20E) The condition is that one member of a joint-claim couple has attained the age of 60 but not the age of 75. (20F) (1) The condition is that one member of a joint-claim couple— (a) has attained the age of 60 but not the age of 80, and either the additional conditions specified in paragraph 20H are satisfied in respect of him, or (b) has attained the age of 60 and— (i) was entitled to or was treated as entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance and the disability premium was or, as the case may be, would have been applicable to him in respect of a benefit week within 8 weeks of his 60th birthday and he has, subject to sub-paragraph (2), remained continuously entitled to one of those benefits since attaining that age, or (ii) was a member of a joint-claim couple who had been entitled to, or who had been treated as entitled to, a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance and the disability premium was or, as the case may be, would have been applicable to that couple in respect of a benefit week within 8 weeks of the 60th birthday of either member of that couple and the couple have, subject to that sub-paragraph (2), remained continuously entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance since that member attained that age. (2) For the purpose of this paragraph and paragraph 20H— (a) once the higher pensioner premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple, if that member then ceases, for a period of 8 weeks or less, to be entitled or treated as entitled to either income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance or that couple cease to be entitled to or treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, he shall or, as the case may be, that couple shall, on becoming re-entitled to any of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continuously entitled thereto; (b) in so far as sub-paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) is concerned, if a member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be entitled or treated as entitled to either income support or an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or that couple cease to be entitled to or treated as entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance for a period not exceeding 8 weeks which includes the 60th birthday of either member of that couple, he shall or, as the case may be, the couple shall, on becoming re-entitled to either of those benefits, thereafter be treated as having been continuously entitled thereto. (3) In this paragraph, where a member of a joint-claim couple is a welfare to work beneficiary, sub-paragraphs (1)(b)(i) and (2)(b) shall apply to him as if for “8 weeks” there were substituted “52 weeks”. (20G) The condition is that a member of a joint-claim couple has not attained the age of 60 and satisfies any one of the additional conditions specified in paragraph 20H. (20H) (1) The additional conditions specified in this paragraph are that a member of a joint-claim couple— (a) is in receipt of either disabled person’s tax credit or mobility supplement; (b) is in receipt of severe disablement allowance; (c) is in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance or is a person whose disability living allowance is payable, in whole or in part, to another in accordance with regulation 43 of the Claims and Payments Regulations (payment of disability living allowance on behalf of a beneficiary; (d) is in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit or is a person to whom section 30B(4) of the Benefits Act[^f00074] (long term rate of incapacity benefit payable to those who are terminally ill) applies; (e) has been entitled to statutory sick pay, has been incapable of work or has been treated as incapable of work for a continuous period of not less than— (i) 196 days in the case of a member of a joint-claim couple who is terminally ill within the meaning of section 30B(4) of the Benefits Act, or (ii) 364 days in any other case, and for these purposes, any 2 or more periods of entitlement or incapacity separated by a break of not more than 56 days shall be treated as one continuous period; (f) has an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided to him by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety under Article 30(1) of the 1972 Order or provided by the Secretary of State under section 5(2)(a) of, and Schedule 2 to, the National Health Service Act 1977[^f00075] or under section 46 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978[^f00076] or receives payments by way of grant from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety under Article 30(3) of the 1972 Order; (g) is a person who is entitled to the mobility component of disability living allowance but to whom the component is not payable in accordance with regulation 41 of the Claims and Payments Regulations[^f00077] (cases where the mobility component of disability living allowance not payable); (h) was either— (i) in receipt of long term incapacity benefit under section 30A(5)[^f00078] of the Benefits Act immediately before attaining pensionable age and he is still alive, or (ii) entitled to attendance allowance or disability living allowance but payment of that benefit was suspended in accordance with regulations under section 113(2) of the Benefits Act (general provisions as to disqualification and suspension) or otherwise abated as a consequence of either member of the joint-claim couple becoming a patient within the meaning of regulation 85(4) (special cases), and in either case the higher pensioner premium or disability premium had been applicable to the joint-claim couple, or (i) is registered as blind in a register maintained by or on behalf of a Health and Social Services Board established under Article 16 of the 1972 Order. (2) In the case of a member of a joint-claim couple who is a welfare to work beneficiary, the reference in sub-paragraph (1)(e) to a period of 56 days shall be treated as a reference to a period of 52 weeks. (3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(i), a person who has ceased to be registered as blind on regaining his eyesight shall nevertheless be treated as blind and as satisfying the additional condition set out in that sub-paragraph for a period of 28 weeks following the date on which he ceased to be so registered. (20I) (1) The condition is that — (a) a member of a joint-claim couple is 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 Benefits Act (the “qualifying benefit”); (b) the other member is also in receipt of such an allowance, or if he is a member of a polygamous marriage, all the partners of that marriage are in receipt of a qualifying benefit; (c) subject to sub-paragraph (3), there is no non-dependant aged 18 or over normally residing with the joint-claim couple or with whom they are normally residing, and (d) either— (i) no person is entitled to, and in receipt of, an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act in respect of caring for either member of the couple or all the members of the polygamous marriage, or (ii) a person is engaged in caring for one member (but not both members) of the couple, or one or more but not all members of the polygamous marriage, and in consequence is entitled to an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act. (2) Where the other member does not satisfy the condition in sub-paragraph (1)(b), and that member is blind or treated as blind within the meaning of paragraph 20H(1)(i) and (2), that member shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) as if he were not a member of the couple. (3) The following persons shall not be regarded as non-dependant for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(c)— (a) a person 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 Benefits Act; (b) subject to sub-paragraph (5), a person who joins the joint-claim couple’s household for the first time in order to care for a member of a joint-claim couple and immediately before so joining, that member satisfied the condition in sub-paragraph (1), (c) a person who is blind or treated as blind within the meaning of paragraph 20H(1)(i) and (2). (4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), a member of a joint-claim couple shall be treated— (a) as being 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 Benefits Act if he would, but for his being a patient for a period exceeding 28 days, be so in receipt; (b) as being entitled to and in receipt of an invalid care 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. (5) Sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall apply only for the first 12 weeks following the date on which the person to whom that provision applies first joins the joint-claim couple’s household. (6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d), no account shall be taken of an award of invalid care allowance to the extent that payment of such an award is back-dated for a period before the date on which the award is made. (20J) (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), the condition is that either or both members of a joint-claim couple are entitled to and in receipt of an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act. (2) Either or both members, as the case may be, shall be treated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) as being entitled to an invalid care allowance where— (a) they would be in receipt of such an allowance but for any provision of the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979[^f00079]; (b) the claim for that allowance was made on or after 1st October 1990, and (c) the person or persons in respect of whose care the allowance has been claimed remains or remain 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 Benefits Act. (3) Where a carer premium is awarded but the member of the joint-claim couple in respect of whom it has been awarded ceases to be entitled to an invalid care allowance, the condition for the award of the premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which— (a) where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the person in respect of whose care the invalid care allowance has been claimed ceased to be in receipt of the allowances referred to in head (c) of that sub-paragraph; (b) in any other case, that member ceased to be entitled to an invalid care allowance. (4) Where a member of a joint-claim couple who has been entitled to an invalid care allowance ceases to be entitled to that allowance and makes a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance jointly with the other member of that couple, the condition for the award of the carer premium shall be treated as satisfied for a period of 8 weeks from the date on which— (a) where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the person in respect of whose care the invalid care allowance has been claimed ceased to be in receipt of the allowances referred to in head (c) of that sub-paragraph; (b) in any other case, that member was last entitled to an invalid care allowance. (20K) For the purpose of determining whether a premium is applicable to a joint-claim couple under paragraphs 20H to 20J, any concessionary payment made to compensate a person for the non-payment of any benefit mentioned in those paragraphs shall be treated as if it were a payment of that benefit. (20L) For the purposes of this Part, a member of a joint-claim couple shall be regarded as being in receipt of any benefit if, and only if, it is paid in respect of him and shall be so regarded only for any period in respect of which that benefit is paid.

Premium	Amount
20M—1Pensioner premium where one member of a joint-claim couple is aged over 60 and the condition in paragraph 20E is satisfied.	1£40·00.
2Higher Pensioner Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20F.	2£43·40.
3Disability Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20G.	3£31·75.
4Severe Disability Premium where one member of a joint-claim couple satisfies the condition in paragraph 20I(1)—iif there is someone in receipt of an invalid care allowance or if either member satisfies that condition only by virtue of paragraph 20I(3);	4i£40·20.
iiif no-one is in receipt of such an allowance.	ii£80·40.
5Carer Premium.	5£14·15 in respect of each person who satisfied the condition specified in paragraph 20J.

54

(1) Schedule 2 (housing costs) shall be amended in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (8).

(2) In paragraph 1A[^f00080] (previous entitlement to income support), after sub-paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

(1A) Where either member of a joint-claim couple was in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support not more than 12 weeks before the couple becomes entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance, or, where either member is a person to whom paragraph 13(2) or (10) (linking rules) refers, not more than 26 weeks before becoming so entitled and— (a) the applicable amount for income support included an amount in respect of housing costs under paragraph 15 or 16 of Schedule 3 to the Income Support Regulations (loans on residential property and for repairs and improvements to the dwelling occupied as the home), and (b) the circumstances affecting the calculation of those housing costs remain unchanged since the last calculation of those costs, the applicable amount in respect of housing costs for joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance shall be the applicable amount in respect of those costs current when entitlement to income support was last determined.

(3) In paragraph 2(1) (circumstances in which a person is liable to meet housing costs), in both heads (a) and (c), after “or his partner” there shall be inserted “or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple,”.

(4) In paragraph 4 (housing costs not met)—

(a) for “the claimant” wherever those words occur, there shall be substituted “a claimant”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (2)(c), for head (ii) there shall be substituted the following head—

(ii) who becomes, or whose partner becomes or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, that couple become, entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance after 6th October 1996 and that entitlement is within 26 weeks of an earlier entitlement to income support for the claimant or his partner or, as the case may be, either member of the joint-claim couple.

(i) for “or his partner”, wherever those words occur, there shall be substituted “, his partner or, where that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(ii) in head (b), for “or in Article 5(1)(a)” there shall be substituted “, 5(1)(a) or 5A(1)(a)”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (7)(b), after “most favourable to him” there shall be inserted “or, as the case may be, to the joint-claim couple of which he is a member”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (8)(ii), for “or 84(1)(g)” there shall be substituted “, 84(1)(g), 86A(d) or 86B(e)”.

(5) In paragraph 6 (existing housing costs) after sub-paragraph (3)[^f00082] there shall be added the following sub-paragraph—

(4) Where either member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support and that couple then become entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in a case to which paragraph 1A(1A) applies, the eligible capital for the time being owing shall be recalculated on each anniversary of the date on which the housing costs were first met for whichever of the benefits concerned either member of the couple was first entitled to.

(6) After paragraph 7(2A)[^f00083] (new housing costs) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

(2B) Where either member of a joint-claim couple ceases to be in receipt of or treated as being in receipt of income support and that couple then become entitled to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance in a case to which paragraph 1A(1A) applies, the eligible capital for the time being owing shall be recalculated on each anniversary of the date on which the housing costs were first met for whichever of the benefits concerned either member of the couple was first entitled to.

(7) In paragraph 8(1)(a) (general exclusions from paragraphs 6 and 7), after “or his partner” there shall be inserted “or either member of a joint-claim couple”.

(8) In paragraph 13 (linking rule)—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) after sub-paragraph (1)(d), there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

(dd) where the applicable amount of a member of a joint-claim couple was determined in accordance with paragraph 1(1) (single claimant) or (2) (lone parent) of Schedule 1 (applicable amounts) in respect of a past period, provided that the claim was made within 12 weeks of the joint-claimant becoming a member of the joint-claim couple, the joint-claim couple shall be treated as having been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for the same period as that member of the joint-claim couple had been treated, for the purposes of this Schedule, as having been;

(2A) Where a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance is payable to one member of a joint-claim couple in accordance with Article 5B of the Order (joint-claim couples: the nominated member), both members of the couple shall be treated as receiving, or having received, a jobseeker’s allowance for the purpose of this paragraph. (2B) Where both joint-claimants claiming a jobseeker’s allowance in respect of themselves have not been in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance for a period before they became a joint-claim couple, sub-paragraph (1) shall have effect in respect of that couple in relation to the period which is most favourable to the couple for the purposes of this Schedule.

(d) in sub-paragraph (3)[^f00084], after “or his partner”, in both places where those words occur, there shall be inserted “or, where a claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (3A)[^f00085]—

(i) after “or his partner”, wherever those words occur, there shall be inserted “or, where a claimant is a member of a joint-claim couple, the other member of that couple”;

(ii) in head (b), for “or Article 5(1)(a)” there shall be substituted “, 5(1)(a) or 5A(1)(a)”.

55

After Schedule 3 there shall be inserted the following Schedule—

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