Commentary on Sections Schedule 2: Minor and consequential amendments Schedule 2, paragraphs 44 to 49
176.Paragraphs 44 to 49 amend the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (“the Fraud Act”) so that Pension Credit is a disqualifying and sanctionable benefit for the purposes of that Act.  The Fraud Act provides for certain social security benefits to be reduced where a claimant has been convicted of certain offences relating to social security.
177.Paragraph 45(2) inserts new subsection (4A) into section 7 of the Fraud Act so that the Pension Credit entitlement of an offender can be reduced for any period comprised in the disqualification period by an amount prescribed in regulations.
178.Paragraph 46(3) inserts new subsection (4A) into section 9 of the Fraud Act so that the Pension Credit entitlement of a member of the offender’s family can be reduced for the whole or any part of the disqualification period by an amount prescribed in regulations.