Part IIIOther Conditions of Entitlement

Linking periods48

1

For the purposes of the Order, 2 or more jobseeking periods shall be treated as one jobseeking period where they are separated by a period comprising only—

a

any period of not more than 12 weeks;

b

a linked period;

c

any period of not more than 12 weeks falling between—

i

any 2 linked periods, or

ii

a jobseeking period and a linked period;

d

a period in respect of which the claimant is summoned to jury service.

2

Linked periods for the purposes of the Order are any of the following periods—

a

to the extent specified in paragraph (3), any period throughout which the claimant is entitled to an invalid care allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act;

b

any period throughout which the claimant is incapable of work, or is treated as incapable of work, in accordance with Part XIIA of the Benefits Act46 (incapacity for work);

c

any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 of the Benefits Act47, or would have been so entitled but for a failure to satisfy the contribution conditions specified in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 3 to the Benefits Act;

d

any period throughout which the claimant was engaged in training for which a training allowance is payable.

3

A period of entitlement to invalid care allowance shall be a linked period only where it enables the claimant to satisfy contribution conditions for entitlement to a contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance which he would otherwise be unable to satisfy.