Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207) (“the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations”) consequent on the requirement for certain claimants to make a joint claim for a jobseeker’s allowance.

In particular, they amend regulations 14 and 19 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations to ensure that a joint claimant is treated in the same way as a single claimant for the purposes of the conditions of entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance. A joint claimant will be treated as available for employment and as actively seeking employment if he and his partner are absent from Great Britain for up to four weeks, and if his partner qualifies for specified pensioner and disability premiums.

In addition a joint claimant will be so treated if at the date of claim by the other member of the couple he is (within prescribed limitations) in Northern Ireland or is abroad for the purpose of attending an interview.

The Regulations also amend regulations 64 and 65 of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations to ensure that the requirements for a young person to be available for and actively to seek employment are the same whether he is a member of a joint-claim couple or is a single claimant.