The Social Security (Housing Costs Amendments) Regulations 2015

These Regulations amend the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/794), the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967) and the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207) to increase the waiting period before housing costs (including help with mortgage interest) can be met to 39 weeks from 13 weeks (regulations 2 to 4). They also amend the Universal Credit Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2013/376) to increase the waiting period before housing costs can be met to 9 assessment periods from 3 (regulation 5). This is subject to savings for certain claimants (regulation 8). The definition of “qualifying period” in the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1230) is amended to reflect the change to the waiting period in universal credit (regulation 6).