Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation on 6th October 2003.

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

Amendment of regulation 6A of the Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) Regulations

2.  In regulation 6A(5)(b) of the Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987(4) (amount of funeral payment) for “£100” there shall be substituted “£120”.

Transitional provision

3.  Where, in respect of a death which occurs before 6th October 2003, a claim is made for funeral expenses from the social fund, regulation 2 shall not have effect with respect to that claim.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations amend the Social Fund (Maternity and Funeral Expenses) (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 in so far as those Regulations relate to claims for payment of funeral expenses.

In particular, regulation 2 amends regulation 6A(5)(b) so as to increase the amount of the cap on the residuary category of funeral expenses which may be met out of the social fund, where items and services have been provided on the death of the decesased under a pre-paid funeral plan, from £100 to £120 in respect of deaths which occur on or after 6th October 2003.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.