The Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 - screening
Date published:
The Department for Communities currently administers a number of Executive approved welfare mitigation schemes, which are designed to alleviate the financial impact arising from specific changes to the social security system, introduced in response to the UK Government’s package of welfare reforms.
These mitigation schemes, known as Welfare Supplementary Payments, are specific to Northern Ireland, and the Department has sole responsibility for the development and implementation of the policy, legislation and operational delivery. The Department is also responsible for the supporting IT infrastructure.
The Welfare Supplementary Payments were introduced as part of the Stormont Fresh Start Agreement and Implementation Plan, out of which the Northern Ireland Executive agreed to put in place schemes to mitigate some of the impacts of welfare reform. Funding was provided by the Executive for a four-year period ending on 31 March 2020.
On 31 January 2022 the Assembly approved the Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022. This legislation extended the period for which all Welfare Supplementary Payments, excluding the Social Sector Size Criteria (commonly referred to as the “bedroom tax”), could be paid up to 31 March 2025. On 1 March 2022 the Assembly approved primary legislation that removed the end date for payments for people affected by the Social Sector Size Criteria for an indefinite period.
Existing/Revised/New: Revised
Date of Screening: 27/02/2025
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No