Regulation 2 of the Social Security (Coronavirus) (Further Measures) Regulations (NI) 2020 provided temporary easements for self-employed claimants of UC in response to the Covid-19 pandemic by way of: (a) reducing the MIF to a lesser amount, including zero; (b) delaying the determination as to whether a claimant is in gainful self-employment; (c) treating a claimant as not being in gainful self-employment; (d) extending a start-up period and (e) excepting claimants from work-related requirements that would otherwise have applied in the absence of the MIF.

The above easements are due to end on 31st July 2021, restoring the position to what it was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UC (Coronavirus) (Restoration of the MIF) Regulations (NI) 2021 aims to extend the easements at points (a), (b) and (e) until 31st July 2022 in certain circumstances i.e. where the claimant can demonstrate that their business is still adversely affected by Covid-19.

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.