Social Security Administration Act 1992

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The Social Security Administration Act 1992 (1992 ch.5),[1]is the main piece of legislation dealing with the administration of social security benefits in the United Kingdom.

Contents

[edit] History

There have been various types of support for those without income in the UK since medieval times but 'modern' social security began in the mid 20th century. Various Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments dealt with the rules, but the current regulation is covered, in the main, by this much amended Act.

[edit] Amendments

There have been a number of amendments since the Act was first passed, the main ones being the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act (1997 ch. 47)[1], the Social Security Act (1998 ch. 14),[2], the Social Security Fraud Act (2001 ch.11), [3], and the Welfare Reform Act (2007 ch.5), [4].

[edit] Statutory Instruments

Although the base legislation is contained within the acts, most of the actual rules and regulations come within a plethora of Statutory Instruments. The best place to view these is via Office of Public Sector Information, a UK Governmental website.

[edit] Offences

The main offences created by the act (and subsequent amendments) are :

s.111 : failure by specified body to provide information ;
s.111A : dishonestly making false claims or witholding information about relevant changes ; and
s.112 : knowlingly making false claims or witholding information about relevant changes.

Section 111A is an either way offence, the others are summary only.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b UK Government website - SSAA 1992
  2. ^ Government website - SSA 1998
  3. ^ Government website - SSFA 2001
  4. ^ Government website - WRA 2007