Removal of waiting days for ESA extended for a further six months in Northern Ireland where a person is affected by coronavirus

New statutory rule

New legislation has been issued in Northern Ireland that extends the removal of waiting days in employment and support allowance (ESA), where a person is claiming due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

In force from 12 November 2020, the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (SR.No.217/2020) amend the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (SR.No33/2020) to provide that their expiry date is extended from eight months to fourteen months.

As a result, until 12 May 2021, where a person is infected or contaminated with coronavirus, is isolating to prevent the spread of coronavirus, or is caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls into either of those categories, the Department for Communities continues to have the discretion to - 

• remove waiting days in ESA claims; and
• determine that when claiming ESA and/or universal credit, affected claimants are treated as having limited capability for work (LCW).

SR.No.217/2020 is available from legislation.gov.uk