The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and replace, with a few minor changes, the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 1987 and provisions amending those Regulations. They make provisions under section 138(1)(a) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 for payments to be made out of the social fund to meet maternity expenses and funeral expenses (referred to in the Regulations as “ Sure Start Maternity Grants ” and “funeral payments” respectively).

In Part I, regulations 1 and 3 are formal and contain interpretation provisions. Regulation 2 revokes the 1987 Regulations and amending provisions. Regulation 4 provides that two payments shall not be made in respect of the same expenses.

Part II deals with maternity payments. Regulation 5 prescribes the circumstances in which such payments are to be made and the appropriate amount. Regulation 6 sets out special rules on entitlement which apply to persons affected by a trade dispute.

Part III makes provision for funeral payments. Regulations 7 and 8 set out the circumstances in which funeral payments are to be made. Regulation 9 prescribes how the amount of a funeral payment is to be arrived at. Regulation 10 prescribes certain deductions from such a payment.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.