Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 8 September 2014.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his Department's policy to permit jobseeker's allownce claimants who follow their advisor's instructions to attend a jobcentre course instead of signing on to be sanctioned or have their claim stopped because they did not sign on.
Where a Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant is required to participate in a Jobcentre course, they are given information, verbally and in writing, which includes details about the course itself, what they are required to do by way of participation, and whether they are still required to attend the Jobcentre and meet their benefit conditions whilst attending the course.
There are some circumstances where DWP can excuse a person from the requirement to sign on, in order to enable them to participate in a course. This includes those claimants who are participating as a full-time student on an employment related course for a maximum of two weeks.
However, in the majority of cases, claimants will be expected to sign on whilst participating in a course. Where conflicting appointments/course times arise, we make every effort to re-arrange claimants’ signing on arrangements.
If the decision is that the claimant is to continue attending the Jobcentre and the claimant fails to do so, without having a good reason, their benefit may be sanctioned.
Yes2 people think so
No0 people think not
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