The Department for Communities has made a Statutory Rule entitled “The Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020" (S.R. 2020 No.217), which comes into operation on 12 November 2020.

These Regulations amend the Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 in order to extend provisions from 8 to 14 months from the date on which they came into operation, for those claiming or entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), in response to the continuing Coronavirus pandemic. This extension will ensure that ESA claimants who satisfy the eligibility conditions and have Covid-19, or who are self-isolating because of Covid-19, or are caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who has Covid-19 or is self-isolating, in line with government guidance, will continue to be supported.

Copies of the Rule may be purchased from the Stationery Office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0333 202 5070 or viewed online at www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.