These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment (No 3) Regulations 2010 and come into force on 29th July 2010.

In regulation 4(11) (making a claim for benefit) of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987—

(a)    for “or retirement pension” substitute “, a retirement pension, a bereavement benefit or a social fund payment for funeral expenses”; and

(b)    for “the telephone number specified by the Secretary of State” substitute “a telephone number specified by the Secretary of State for the purpose of the benefit for which the claim is made”.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Steve Webb

Minister of State,

Department for Work and Pensions

23rd June 2010

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (“the Claims and Payments Regulations”) (SI 1987/1968).

Regulation 2 amends regulation 4(11) of the Claims and Payments Regulations to allow a claim for a bereavement benefit or a social fund payment for funeral expenses to be made by telephone call to a number specified by the Secretary of State. Regulation 2(1) of the Claims and Payments Regulations has the effect that the reference to a bereavement benefit covers bereavement payment, widowed parent's allowance, and bereavement allowance.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private or voluntary sectors.