These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987, the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 and the Council Tax (General) Regulations 1992 in respect of benefit claims.

Regulation 2(2) enables people of the qualifying age for state pension credit to make claims for attendance allowance, bereavement benefit, carer’s allowance, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, retirement pension, a winter fuel payment or income support at an office designated by the Secretary of State for accepting such claims or at an authorised office of a local authority administering housing benefit.

Regulation 2(3) makes consequential amendments in respect of claims for state pension credit at such an office.

Regulation 2(4) and (5) fix the date of claim where people of qualifying age notify such an office of intent to claim state pension credit or, transitionally, income support; paragraph (5) fixes the date of claim if they claim other benefits from such an office and if they claim disability living allowance or attendance allowance after asking the office for a claim form.

Regulation 2(6) renumbers one of two paragraphs (1A) of regulation 32 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987.

Regulations 3 and 4 enable people of the qualifying age for state pension credit to make claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit at an office nominated by the Secretary of State and authorised by the relevant local authority to accept such claims.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.