OpenLegislation

The Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

1995/2705 · Made 18 October 1995 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Not fully up to date. 128 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 2 para. 6repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 2 para. 52(3)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 2 para. 20repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 2 para. 9repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 Sch. 8
Sch. 2 para. 8repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 Sch. 8
art. 28(3)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
Sch. 1 para. 14(2)insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(5)(b)
Sch. 1 para. 14A and cross headinginsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(6)
art. 11(2)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 14(a)
art. 11(4A)insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 25(1)
art. 11(5)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(b)
art. 11(5)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 14(b)
art. 11(6)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(b)
art. 11(6)(a)(i)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 14(c)(i)
art. 11(6)(a)(ii)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 14(c)(ii)
art. 11(7)(b)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(b)
art. 11(10)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 14(d)
art. 11(13)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 12(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(c)
art. 12(4)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(c)
art. 12(4)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 15(a)
art. 12(5)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(c)
art. 12(5)(a)(i)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 15(b)(i)
art. 12(5)(a)(ii)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 15(b)(ii)
art. 12(6)(b)(ii)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(c)
art. 13A-13C and cross-headinginsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 3
art. 16(1)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 16(2)
art. 16(2)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 16(3)
art. 16(2A)insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 16(4)
art. 17(1)(1A)substituted for art. 17(1)Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 17(2)
art. 17(2)(a)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 17(3)(a)
art. 17(2)(b)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 17(3)(b)
art. 17(2)(c)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 17(3)(c)
art. 17(4)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 17(4)
art. 17A(1A)insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 18(2)
art. 17A(4)(b) and wordrepealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 18(3) Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 17A(5)(b)substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 18(4)(a)
art. 17A(5)(c)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 18(4)(b) Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 17BinsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 19
art. 18(1)(a)(ii)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 19A(8)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 20(a)
art. 19A(10)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 20A 20B and cross-headinginsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 4
art. 20C 20DinsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 5
art. 21 22substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 6
art. 21(5)(b)(ii)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(d)
art. 2(2)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 8(a)
art. 2(2)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 8(b)
art. 21(6)(c)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(d)
art. 21(10)(a)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 21(10)(b)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(d)
art. 22A 22BsubstitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 7
art. 22A(2)(b)(ii)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(e)
art. 22A(2)(f)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(e)
art. 22C(7)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 20(b)
art. 22E(2)(c)modifiedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(5)
art. 22E(2)(d)modifiedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(5)
art. 24(2)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 21
art. 28(1)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 28(4)(d)(e)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 28(4)(l)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 30(1)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 32repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 36(4)(b)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 22
art. 39(2)(a)(b)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
Sch. 1 para. 2(4)addedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(2)
Sch. 1 para. 8substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(3)
Sch. 1 para. 8A(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(4)
Sch. 1 para. 14(1)Sch. 1 para. 14 renumbered as Sch. 1 para. 14(1)Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 23(5)(a)
art. 3(1A)substituted for art. 3(2)-(2D)Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 4(2)(a)
art. 3(4)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 4(2)(b)
art. 3(4)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 9
art. 3A 3BinsertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 4(3)
art. 3A(6)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 4(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 10
art. 4(1)(b)word insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 2 para. 3
art. 4(1)(d) and wordrepealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 5(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 11(2)
art. 5(1)(b)words repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 5(1)(c)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 5(1A)insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 11(3)
art. 5A(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 12
art. 5A(1)(b)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 1
art. 5A(1)(c)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 2 para. 4
art. 6(11A)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 13
art. 10(1)words insertedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 1 para. 2
art. 10(1)(a)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(a)
art. 10(1A)(a)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(4)
art. 10(3)repealedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 Sch. 4 Pt. 3
art. 11(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 s. 26(3)(b)
Sch. 1 para. 8B(3)words substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 10(3)(c)
art. 33(2)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 7
art. 37(1)(b)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 39repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
Sch. 1 para. 8ZAinsertedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 art. 66(4)
Sch. 1 para. 8(b)words substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 10(2)
Sch. 1 para. 8B(3)words substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 10(3)(a)
Sch. 1 para. 8B(3)words substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 10(3)(b)
art. 22(4)-(6)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 3
art. 2(2)words repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 3
art. 31(6)(c)(d)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 30repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 12-18repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 36(4)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 51(3)(4)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
Sch. 2 para. 34repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 7
art. 3(3A)insertedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 art. 66(3)
art. 4(1)(d) and wordrepealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 6(1)(b)words insertedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 5 para. 5(a)
art. 6(1)(b)words repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 5 para. 5(b)
art. 11substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 art. 50(4)
art. 11(4A)amendment to earlier affecting provision 2010 c. 13 (N.I.), s. 25(1)The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 14(2)(b)
art. 12substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 art. 50(5)
art. 19A(5)(c)words substitutedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 5
art. 20repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 3(2)(za)insertedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 art. 66(2)
art. 22Eamendment to earlier affecting provision 2010 c. 13 (N.I.), s. 26(2)The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 7 para. 15(2)
art. 27repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 31(7)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 32repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 1
art. 33(1)repealedThe Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Sch. 12 Pt. 10
Sch.2, para.40revokedSocial Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 s.22, Sch.2
Sch. 2 para. 40revokedSocial Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 s. 22 Sch. 2
art.3 (defn. of jobseekers allowance)appliedChild Maintenance Bonus (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) 1997 reg.2(3)
art. 21(6)(b)(d)excludedJobseeker’s Allowance (Members of the Forces) 1997 reg. 5
art.21(6)(b)(d)excludedJobseeker’s Allowance (Members of the Forces) 1997 reg.5
art.38amendedSocial Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) 1999 art.3(1), Sch.1, para.80
art.29amendedSocial Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) 1999 art.3(1), Sch.1, para.79

F218th October 1995 C8C9C10C11

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

functions transf. by SR 1999/481

F2

mod. by SR 1999/350

Modifications

C1

Order: transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with art. 9(2))

C2

Order modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Ireland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 (S.R. 2019/77), art. 2; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C3

Order modified (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Switzerland) (Citizens' Rights Agreement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 (revoked) 2019 (S.R. 2019/212), art. 2(2)(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C4

Order modified (1.1.2021) by The Social Security (Norway) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/357), arts. 1(2), 2, Sch.

C5

Order modified (9.9.2021) by The Social Security (Switzerland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/277), art. 2(2)(c), Sch.

C6

Order modified (19.10.2023) by The Social Security (Iceland) (Liechtenstein) (Norway) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/181), arts. 1(1), 2, Sch.

C7

Order modified (coming into operation in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Social Security (Gibraltar) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/21), art. 2(1)(2)(c)

C8

Order modified (1.6.2007) by Social Security (Netherlands) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/295), art. 2, Sch.

C9

Order modified (1.10.2007) by Social Security (Ireland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/438), art. 2, Schs. 1, 2

C10

Order modified (5.10.2009) by Steps to Work (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/297), art. 2(1)(b)

C11

Order certain provisions applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions and Housing Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/312), regs. 1, 16, Sch. 2

Contents

  1. Part I: Introductory
  2. 1Title and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation
  4. Part II: The Jobseeker's Allowance
  5. Entitlement
  6. 3The jobseeker's allowance
  7. 4The contribution-based conditions
  8. 5The income-based conditions
  9. 5AThe conditions for claims by joint-claim couples
  10. 5BJoint-claim couples: the nominated member
  11. 6Amount payable by way of a jobseeker's allowance
  12. 6AAmount payable in respect of joint-claim couple
  13. 7Duration of a contribution-based jobseeker's allowance
  14. Work-related requirements
  15. 8Work-related requirements
  16. 8AClaimant commitment
  17. 8BWork-focused interview requirement
  18. 8CWork preparation requirement
  19. 8DWork search requirement
  20. 8EWork availability requirement
  21. 8FImposition of work-related requirements
  22. 8GConnected requirements
  23. 8HImposition of work-related and connected requirements: supplementary
  24. 8ICompliance with work-related and connected requirements
  25. 8JHigher-level sanctions
  26. 8KOther sanctions
  27. 8LConcurrent exercise of certain functions by Department for Employment and Learning Repealed
  28. 8MDelegation and contracting out
  29. 9Actively seeking employment
  30. 10Attendance, information and evidence
  31. 11The jobseeker's agreement
  32. 12Variation of jobseeker's agreement
  33. 13Jobseeker's agreement: reviews and appeals
  34. Income and Capital
  35. 14Income and capital: general
  36. 15Income and capital: income-based jobseeker's allowance
  37. Trade disputes
  38. 16Trade disputes
  39. 17Effect on other claimants
  40. 17ATrade disputes: joint-claim couples
  41. Persons under 18
  42. 18Severe hardship
  43. 19Reduced payments
  44. 20Recovery of overpayments
  45. “Work for your benefit” schemes etc.
  46. 19ASchemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: “work for your benefit” schemes etc.
  47. 19BArticle 19A: supplemental
  48. 20Recovery of overpayments
  49. Denial of jobseeker's allowance
  50. 21Higher-level sanctions
  51. 21AOther sanctions
  52. 21BClaimants ceasing to be available for employment etc.
  53. 21CHardship payments
  54. 22Exemptions from Article 21 and 21A
  55. 22ADenial or reduction of joint-claim jobseeker's allowance Repealed
  56. 22BExemptions from Article 22A Repealed
  57. Violent conduct etc. in connection with claim
  58. 22CSanctions for violent conduct etc. in connection with claim Repealed
  59. 22DArticle 22C: supplementary Repealed
  60. Miscellaneous
  61. 22EContracting out
  62. 23Supplementary provisions
  63. 24Members of the forces
  64. 25Recovery of sums in respect of maintenance
  65. 26Effect of alteration of rates
  66. 27Age increases
  67. Part III: Back to Work Schemes
  68. 28The back to work bonus
  69. 29Employment of long-term unemployed: deductions by employers
  70. 30Expedited claims for housing benefit
  71. 31Pilot schemes
  72. IVMiscellaneous and Supplemental
  73. 32Termination of awards
  74. 33Insolvency
  75. 35Offences
  76. 36Regulations and orders
  77. 37Assembly, etc. control
  78. 38General financial arrangements
  79. 39Transitional provisions
  80. Schedule 1: Supplementary Provisions
  81. Part
  82. Remunerative work
  83. 1Paragraph 1
  84. Limited capability for work
  85. 2Paragraph 2
  86. Linking periods
  87. 3Paragraph 3
  88. Waiting days
  89. 4Paragraph 4
  90. Periods of less than a week
  91. 5Paragraph 5
  92. Employment protection sums
  93. 6Paragraph 6
  94. Pension payments
  95. 7Paragraph 7
  96. Exemptions
  97. 8Paragraph 8
  98. 8AParagraph 8A
  99. 8BParagraph 8B
  100. 9Paragraph 9
  101. Continuity of claims and awards: persons ceasing to be a joint-claim couple
  102. 9AParagraph 9A
  103. Continuity of claims and awards: persons again becoming a joint-claim couple
  104. 9BParagraph 9B
  105. Continuity of claims and awards: couple becoming a joint-claim couple
  106. 9CParagraph 9C
  107. Paragraphs 9A to 9C: supplementary
  108. 9DParagraph 9D
  109. Claims yet to be determined and suspended payments
  110. 10Paragraph 10
  111. Presence in and absence from Northern Ireland
  112. 11Paragraph 11
  113. Households
  114. 12Paragraph 12
  115. Responsibility for another person
  116. 13Paragraph 13
  117. Relevant education
  118. 14Paragraph 14
  119. Good reason for acts or omission
  120. 14AAParagraph 14AA
  121. 14BParagraph 14B
  122. Calculation of periods
  123. 15Paragraph 15
  124. Employment on ships, etc.
  125. 16Paragraph 16
  126. Additional conditions
  127. 17Paragraph 17
  128. Benefits Act purposes
  129. 18Paragraph 18
  130. Treatment of information supplied as information relating to social security
  131. 19Paragraph 19
  132. Schedule Schedule
  133. Schedule Schedule