The State Pension Credit Act 2002 provided for the state pension credit, an additional benefit based on an individual or couple’s existing income. It guaranteed a minimum level of income through guarantee credit and provided an additional income for pensioners with relatively low incomes. The Category A and B pension had an additional earnings-related element […]
The Department of Education is responsible for education in Northern Ireland. There are five Education and Library Boards which must provide or secure sufficient schools and equivalent to afford pupils, the opportunity for education, offering a variety of instruction and training as may be desirable, having regard to their ages, abilities and aptitude. The boards […]
Management grant-aided schools have a board of governors to manage the school. They are unpaid but generally have some connection with the school or community. Boards of governors have a lot of responsibilities in relation to curriculum, discipline, and admissions, as well as the publication of information. In controlled and maintained schools, they are responsible […]
Tax credits are governed by the UK Tax Credit Act 2002 and regulations made under it. The credits are not linked to tax liability, although they are administered by HMRC. Child tax credit is payable to a person, whether employed or not, who satisfies a means test and is looking after a child or qualifying […]
The Social Security Contributions and Benefits NI Act 1992, as amended in Part VIII, provides for discretionary and nondiscretionary social payment guidelines that are published for social fund officers. There are several nondiscretionary and discretionary-based awards. A maternity grant is available for women or partners who are claiming certain other benefits. The application must be […]
Schools must adopt admission criteria that are to be applied when schools are oversubscribed. The admission criteria set out the order of priority for admission, and different regulations apply to different school sectors. The principle of open enrollment operates. Although many schools are under the control of churches, schools do not use criteria that overtly […]
Job seeker’s allowance is provided for by the Job Seekers Allowance, NI, Order 1995 as amended. There are two separate benefits, income-based job seeker’s allowance and contribution-based job seeker’s allowance. Income-based job seeker’s allowance is means-tested. The applicant must be habitually resident and have the right to reside. Contribution-based job seeker’s allowance is dependent on […]
State pension, state pension is provided for by the Social Security Contributions and Benefit Act, NI, 1992, as amended. The state pension comprises a current basic rate, £82.45 and an increment for adult dependents, £50.50. It is payable to women over 60 and men over 65. The ages will converge to 65 by 2020. Entitlement […]
Bereavement benefits are derived from the Social Security Contributions and Benefits, NI Act, 1992, as amended by the Welfare Reform and Pensions NI Order, 1999. The former widow’s pension was reformed considerably in April 2001. The provisions apply to bereaved civil partners after 2005. A one-off bereavement payment of £2000 may be payable to persons […]
Sick pay, statutory sick pay is provided for by the Social Security Contributions and Benefits NI Act, 1992 as amended. Payments are made by the employer. Employers need not operate statutory sick pay if there is an occupational sick pay scheme giving higher benefits. Where the occupational scheme gives lower benefit, the employer must pay […]