8.—(1) F8[…]

(2)  (a)  Subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the amendments effected by paragraphs (a)(i)(II), (b) and (d) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a person who is entitled to or is in receipt of any payment to which those paragraphs refer immediately before the coming into operation of this subsection in relation to that payment, where those amendments have the effect of increasing the means assessed in respect of that person under the Third Schedule to the Principal Act.

(b) Where, after the coming into operation of the amendments referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection, a person referred to in that paragraph has not been entitled to or has not been in receipt of any payments to which those amendments refer for a period of more than 52 consecutive weeks after the said coming into operation, then the said paragraph shall cease to apply to that person.

(3) F8[…]