20 April, 2021
Open access
Further extension of period over which Covid-19-related easements to benefit rules remain in force
New statutory intrument
New regulations have been issued that extend the expiry dates for Covid-19-related easements in relation to employment and support allowance (ESA), jobseeker's allowance (JSA), carer's allowance, and means-tested benefit entitlement for prisoners on temporary release.
In force from 12 May 2021, the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2021 (SI.No.476/2021) further extend the expiry dates of provisions within
- the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus Disease) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.289/2020/);
- the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.371/2020); and
- the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations 2020 (SI.No.409/2020)
- in response to the continuing outbreak of Covid-19 in Great Britain.
As a result -
- provisions treating ESA claimants affected by Covid-19 as having limited capability for work without being required to provide medical evidence or undergo a work capability assessment, and removing the need for waiting days, are extended by six months to 12 November 2021;
- provisions that enable certain persons affected by Covid-19 to continue in receipt of JSA without any period of sickness/isolation counting as a short or an extended period of sickness will remain in place until 31 August 2021;
- the expiry of provisions applying in England and Wales designed to ensure financial support continues during the pandemic for claimants receiving carer’s allowance is extended to 31 August 2021 so that carers are not penalised for following government advice to self-isolate (equivalent provisions have already been made in Scotland where carer's allowance is a devolved benefit); and
- provisions that enable individuals on temporary release from prison to access means-tested benefits during the period of release that were due to expire on 12 May 2021 are extended to 31 August 2021 - however, the easement is also narrowed to ensure that prisoners on temporary release do not establish entitlement if released for non-Covid reasons.
SI.No.476/2021 is available from legislation.gov.uk
