Linking periods
48.—(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 Act(1) (incapacity for work);
(c)any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 of the Benefits Act(2), 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.
Part XIIA was inserted by regulation 7 of the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/1898 (N.I. 12))
Section 35 was amended by regulation 2 of the Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (S.R. 1994 No. 176)