The Jobseeker's Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011

Contents

Part 1 · General

1Citation and commencement#

These Regulations may be cited as the Jobseeker's Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011 and shall come into force on 25th April 2011.

2Interpretation#

(1)In these Regulations—• “the Act” means the Jobseekers Act 1995;• “claimant” means a person who claims a jobseeker's allowance, except that in relation to a joint-claim couple claiming a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance, it means either or both of the members of the couple;• “the Council Tax Benefit Regulations” means the Council Tax Benefit Regulations 2006 ^note;• “the Housing Benefit Regulations” means the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 ^note;• “the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations” means the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations 1996 ^note;• “the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations” means the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 ^note;• “the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme” means a scheme within section 17A (schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: “work for your benefit” schemes etc.) of the Act known by that name and provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State that is designed to provide work or work-related activity for up to 30 hours per week over a period of four consecutive weeks with a view to assisting claimants to improve their prospects of obtaining employment;• “the Scheme” means the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme; and• “working day” means any day except for a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 ^note in England, Wales or Scotland.

(2)For the purpose of these Regulations, where a written notice is given by sending it by post is taken to have been received on the second working day after posting.

Part 2 · Selection for and participation in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme

3Selection for participation in the Scheme#

(1)The Secretary of State may select a claimant who is aged at least 18 for participation in the Scheme.

(2)Only a claimant who is required to meet the jobseeking conditions ^note may be required to participate in the Scheme.

4Requirement to participate and notification#

(1)Subject to regulation 5, a claimant (“C”) selected under regulation 3 is required to participate in the Scheme where the Secretary of State gives C a notice in writing complying with paragraph (2).

(2)The notice must specify—

(a)that C is required to participate in the Scheme;

(b)the day on which C's participation will start;

(c)that C's participation will be for four weeks;

(d)details of what C is required to do by way of participation in the Scheme;

(e)that the requirement to participate in the Scheme will continue until C is given notice by the Secretary of State that C's participation is no longer required, or C's award of jobseeker's allowance terminates, whichever is earlier;

(f)information about the consequences of failing to participate in the Scheme.

(3)Any changes made to the requirements mentioned in paragraph (2)(d) after the date on which C's participation starts must be notified to C in writing.

5Circumstances in which requirement to participate in the Scheme ceases to apply#

(1)A requirement to participate in the Scheme ceases to apply to a claimant (“C”) if—

(a)the Secretary of State gives C notice in writing that C is no longer required to participate in the Scheme, or

(b)C's award of jobseeker's allowance terminates,

whichever is earlier.

(2)The requirement ceases to apply on the day specified in the notice.

Part 3 · Sanctions

6Failure to participate in the Scheme#

A claimant (“C”) is to be regarded as having failed to participate in the Scheme in accordance with these Regulations where C fails to comply with any requirement notified under regulation 4.

7Good cause#

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8Consequences of failure to participate in the Scheme#

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Part 4 · Hardship

9Hardship#

(1)This paragraph applies to a claimant (“C”) if, during the period in which C's jobseeker's allowance is not payable by virtue of regulation 8(2), C is a person in hardship within the meaning of regulation 140(1) or (2) (meaning of “person in hardship”) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note.

(2)Regulations 140 to 146 of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations have effect in relation to a person to whom paragraph (1) applies.

(3)In regulation 141(6) (circumstances in which an income-based jobseeker's allowance is payable to a person in hardship) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note insert “ regulations made under section 17A (“work for your benefit” schemes etc.), ” after “even though”.

10Hardship for joint-claim couples#

(1)This paragraph applies to a joint-claim couple if, during the period in which the sanctions referred to in regulation 8(3) apply, they are a couple in hardship within the meaning of regulation 146A(1) or (2) (meaning of “couple in hardship”) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note.

(2)Regulations 146A and 146C to 146H of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations have effect in relation to a couple to whom paragraph (1) applies.

(3)In regulation 146C(6) (circumstances in which a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance is payable where a joint-claim couple is a couple in hardship) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note insert “ regulations made under section 17A (“work for your benefit” schemes etc.), ” after “even though”.

Part 5 · Consequential amendments

11Definitions#

(1)Paragraph (2) applies to the following provisions (which relate to interpretation)—

(a)regulation 2(1) of the Council Tax Benefit Regulations;

(b)regulation 2(1) of the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(c)regulation 2(1) of the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(d)regulation 1(3) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations.

(2)In each of the provisions to which this paragraph applies insert the following definition in the appropriate place—“• • “the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme” means a scheme within section 17A (schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: “work for your benefit” schemes etc.) of the Jobseekers Act 1995 known by that name and provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State that is designed to provide work or work-related activity for up to 30 hours per week over a period of four consecutive weeks with a view to assisting claimants to improve their prospects of obtaining employment;”

12Notional income#

(1)This regulation applies to the following provisions (which relate to notional income)—

(a)regulation 32(7) of the Council Tax Benefit Regulations ^note;

(b)regulation 42(7) of the Housing Benefit Regulations ^note;

(c)regulation 31(9A) of the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations ^note;

(d)regulation 105(10A) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note.

(2)In each of the provisions to which this regulation applies insert the following sub-paragraph after sub-paragraph (ca)—“cb in respect of a person's participation in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme;”

13Notional capital#

(1)This regulation applies to the following provisions (which relate to notional capital)—

(a)regulation 39(4) of the Council Tax Benefit Regulations ^note;

(b)regulation 49(4) of the Housing Benefit Regulations ^note;

(c)regulation 38(3A) of the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations ^note;

(d)regulation 113(3A) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations ^note.

(2)In each of the provisions to which this regulation applies insert the following sub-paragraph after sub-paragraph (ba)—“bb in respect of a person's participation in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme;”

14Income to be disregarded#

(1)This regulation applies to the following Schedules (which relate to sums to be disregarded in the calculation of income other than earnings)—

(a)Schedule 4 to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations;

(b)Schedule 5 to the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(c)Schedule 3 to the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(d)Schedule 7 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations.

(2)In each Schedule to which this regulation applies insert the following paragraph after paragraph A1. ^note—“A2 Any payment made to the claimant in respect of any travel or other expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by him in respect of his participation in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme.”

15Capital to be disregarded#

(1)This regulation applies to the following Schedules (which relate to capital to be disregarded)—

(a)Schedule 5 to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations;

(b)Schedule 6 to the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(c)Schedule 4 to the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations;

(d)Schedule 8 to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations.

16Further amendments of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations#

The Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations are amended as follows—

(a)in the definition of “relevant notification” in regulation 25(1A) (entitlement ceasing on a failure to comply) ^note, insert the words “ or under the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme ” after “scheme”;

(b)in regulation 47(4)(b)(ii) (jobseeking period) ^note insert the words “ regulations made under section 17A or by virtue of ” before “section 19”;

(c)at the end of regulation 53 ^note (persons treated as not engaged in remunerative work) insert—“l he is participating in the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme.”

(d)in regulation 55(1)(a) (short periods of sickness) ^note before “; and” insert—“or who failed without good cause to comply with regulations made under section 17A”

(e)in regulation 55A(1)(a) (periods of sickness and persons receiving treatment outside Great Britain) ^note before “; and” insert—“or who failed without good cause to comply with regulations made under section 17A”

(f)in regulation 140(1)(f)(i) (meaning of “person in hardship”) ^note, after “case”, insert “ or because a jobseeker's allowance is not payable pursuant to regulations made under section 17A ”;

(g)in regulation 152(1)(c) (relevant week) ^note, before “section 19” insert “ regulations made under section 17A or in accordance with ”.

17Consequential amendments relating to sanctions#

(1)Paragraph (2) applies to the following provisions ^note—

(a)regulation 2(4)(a) and (b) (interpretation) of the Council Tax Benefit Regulations;

(b)regulation 2(4)(a) and (b) (interpretation) of the Council Tax Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 ^note;

(c)working families' tax credit ;

(d)regulation 2(3)(a) and (b) (interpretation) of the Housing Benefit Regulations;

(e)regulation 2(3)(a) and (b) (interpretation) of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 ^note.

(2)In each of the provisions to which this paragraph applies insert the words “ or regulations made under section 17A ” after “section 19 or 20A”.

(3)In regulation 5(3)(b) (meaning of “person in hardship”) of the Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Regulations 2001 ^note, after “8” insert “ , 17A ”.

(4)In regulation 8A(5) (credits for unemployment) of the Social Security (Credits) Regulations 1975 ^note, after sub-paragraph (b) insert—“ba a week in respect of which, because of regulations made under section 17A of that Act, a jobseeker's allowance was not payable to the person concerned even though he satisfied the conditions for entitlement to that allowance; or”

18Consequential amendments relating to decisions and appeals#

The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999 ^note are amended as follows—

(a)in regulation 3(6) (revision of decisions) ^note, after “Jobseekers Act” insert the words “ , or with regulations made under section 17A of that Act ”;

(b)in regulation 6(2) (supersession of decisions) ^note, after sub-paragraph (f) insert the following sub-paragraph—“fa is a decision that a jobseeker's allowance is payable to a claimant where that allowance ceases to be payable or is reduced by virtue of regulations made under section 17A of the Jobseekers Act;”

(c)after regulation 7(8) (date from which a decision superseded under section 10 takes effect) ^note insert the following paragraph—“8ZA A decision to which regulation 6(2)(fa) applies shall take effect on the day specified in regulation 8(6)(a) or (b) of the Jobseeker's Allowance (Mandatory Work Activity Scheme) Regulations 2011.”

19Consequential amendments relating to the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010#

The following regulations of the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010 ^note are revoked—

(a)regulation 10(4) (hardship);

(b)regulation 18(b) to (f) (further modifications of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations);

(c)regulation 19 (consequential modifications relating to sanctions); and

(d)regulation 20(a) and (b) (consequential modifications relating to decisions and appeals).

Part 6 · Contracting Out

20Contracting out certain functions in relation to the Scheme#

(1)Any functions of the Secretary of State specified in paragraph (2) may be exercised by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as may be authorised by the Secretary of State.

(2)The functions are any function under—

(a)regulation 4 (requirement to participate and notification);

(b)regulation 5(1)(a) (notice that requirement to participate ceases).

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Defined terms · 8

Show every defined term

claimant
means a person who claims a jobseeker's allowance, except that in relation to a joint-claim couple claiming a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance, it means either or both of the members of the couple;
the Act
means the Jobseekers Act 1995;
the Council Tax Benefit Regulations
means the Council Tax Benefit Regulations 2006;
the Housing Benefit Regulations
means the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006;
the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations
means the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations 1996;
the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme
means a scheme within section 17A (schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: “work for your benefit” schemes etc.) of the Act known by that name and provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State that is designed to provide work or work-related activity for up to 30 hours per week over a period of four consecutive weeks with a view to assisting claimants to improve their prospects of obtaining employment;
the Scheme
means the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme;
working day
means any day except for a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England, Wales or Scotland.

1Citation and commencement#

2Interpretation#

3Selection for participation in the Scheme#

4Requirement to participate and notification#

5Circumstances in which requirement to participate in the Scheme ceases to apply#

6Failure to participate in the Scheme#

7Good cause#

8Consequences of failure to participate in the Scheme#

9Hardship#

10Hardship for joint-claim couples#

11Definitions#

12Notional income#

13Notional capital#

14Income to be disregarded#

15Capital to be disregarded#

16Further amendments of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations#

17Consequential amendments relating to sanctions#

18Consequential amendments relating to decisions and appeals#

19Consequential amendments relating to the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010#

20Contracting out certain functions in relation to the Scheme#

Connections

Defined terms · 8

History · 3 versions

Key facts

1Citation and commencement#

2Interpretation#

3Selection for participation in the Scheme#

4Requirement to participate and notification#

5Circumstances in which requirement to participate in the Scheme ceases to apply#

6Failure to participate in the Scheme#

7Good cause#

8Consequences of failure to participate in the Scheme#

9Hardship#

10Hardship for joint-claim couples#

11Definitions#

12Notional income#

13Notional capital#

14Income to be disregarded#

15Capital to be disregarded#

16Further amendments of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations#

17Consequential amendments relating to sanctions#

18Consequential amendments relating to decisions and appeals#

19Consequential amendments relating to the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010#

20Contracting out certain functions in relation to the Scheme#