The Department for Communities has made a Statutory Rule entitled The Discretionary Support (Amendment No. 2) (COVID-19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020 No. 67), which comes into operation on 22 April 2020.

These Regulations amend the Discretionary Support Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016 No. 270) to increase the annual income threshold by increasing the number of hours per working week from 40 hours to 45 hours. This will increase the amount of earnings a person can have while still being eligible for discretionary support. This will also provide additional access to support to those whose income is affected by Coronavirus.

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 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr.