Legislation – Welfare Reform Act 2012
Changes to legislation:
Welfare Reform Act 2012, Section 40 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 02 April 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
Part 1Universal credit
CHAPTER 3Supplementary and general
General
40Interpretation of Part 1
In this Part—
“assessment period” has the meaning given by section 7(2);
“child” means a person under the age of 16;
“claim” means claim for universal credit;
“claimant” means a single claimant or each of joint claimants;
“couple” has the meaning given by section 39;
“disabled” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
“joint claimants” means members of a couple who jointly make a claim or in relation to whom an award of universal credit is made;
“limited capability for work” and “limited capability for work-related activity” are to be construed in accordance with section 37(1) and (2);
“prescribed” means specified or provided for in regulations;
“primary legislation” means an Act, Act of the Scottish Parliament or Act or Measure of the National Assembly for Wales;
“qualifying young person” has the meaning given in section 10(5);
“regular and substantial caring responsibilities” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
“responsible carer”, in relation to a child, has the meaning given in section 19(6);
“secondary legislation” means an instrument made under primary legislation”;
“severely disabled” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
“single claimant” means a single person who makes a claim for universal credit or in relation to whom an award of universal credit is made as a single person;
“single person” is to be construed in accordance with section 1(2)(a);
“work” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
“work availability requirement” has the meaning given by section 18(1);
“work preparation requirement” has the meaning given by section 16(1);
“work search requirement” has the meaning given by section 17(1);
“work-focused interview requirement” has the meaning given by section 15(1);
“”, in relation to a person, means activity which makes it more likely that the person will obtain or remain in work or be able to do so;
“” has the meaning given by section 13(2).