Section 159A — Social Security Administration Act 1992: Effect of alteration of rates of a jobseeker's allowance

Effect of alteration of rates of a jobseeker's allowance 159A 1 This section applies where—

a an award of a jobseeker's allowance is in force in favour of any person (“ the recipient ”);

and b an alteration—

i in any component of the allowance, or ii in the recipient's benefit income, affects the amount of the jobseeker's allowance to which he is entitled.

2 Subsection (3) applies where, as a result of the alteration, the amount of the jobseeker's allowance to which the recipient is entitled is increased or reduced.

3 As from the commencing date, the amount of the jobseeker's allowance payable to or for the recipient under the award shall be the increased or reduced amount, without any further decision of the Secretary of State ; and the award shall have effect accordingly.

4 In any case where—

a there is an alteration of a kind mentioned in subsection (1)(b);

and b before the commencing date (but after that date is fixed) an award of a jobseeker's allowance is made in favour of a person. the award may provide for the jobseeker's allowance to be paid as from the commencing date, in which case the amount of the jobseeker's allowance shall be determined by reference to the components applicable on that date, or may provide for an amount determined by reference to the components applicable at the date of the award.

5 In this section— “ alteration ” means—

in relation to any component of a jobseeker's allowance, its alteration by or under any enactment;

and in relation to a person's benefit income, the alteration of any of the sums referred to in section 150, 150A or 151A above by any enactment or by an order under section 150, 150A or 151A above, to the extent that any such alteration affects the amount of the recipient's benefit income; “ benefit income ”, in relation to a recipient, means so much of his income as consists of— benefit under the Contributions and Benefits Act; state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act 2014; personal independence payment; or a war disablement pension or war widow's pension; “ the commencing date ” in relation to an alteration, means the date on which the alteration comes into force in relation to the recipient; “ component ”, in relation to a jobseeker's allowance, means any of the sums specified in regulations under the Jobseekers Act 1995 which are relevant in calculating the amount payable by way of a jobseeker's allowance.