PART 8CONDITIONALITY

CHAPTER 2Work-focused interviews

Failure to take part in a work-focused interviewI161

1

A claimant who is required to take part in a work-focused interview but fails to do so must show good cause for that failure within 5 working days of the date on which the Department gives notification of that failure.

2

The Department must determine whether a claimant who is required to take part in a work-focused interview has failed to do so and, if so, whether the claimant has shown good cause for that failure in accordance with paragraph (1).

3

In determining whether a claimant has shown good cause for the failure to take part in a work-focused interview, the Department may take the following matters into account—

a

that the claimant misunderstood the requirement to take part in the work-focused interview due to learning, language or literacy difficulties or any misleading information given or sent by the Department;

b

that the claimant had transport difficulties and that no reasonable alternative was available;

c

that the claimant was attending an interview with an employer with a view to remaining in or obtaining work;

d

that the claimant was pursuing employment opportunities as a self-employed earner;

e

that the claimant was attending a medical or dental appointment and that it would have been unreasonable in the circumstances to re-arrange the appointment;

f

that the claimant was accompanying another person for whom the claimant has caring responsibilities to a medical or dental appointment and that it would have been unreasonable for that other person to re-arrange the appointment;

g

that the claimant, a dependant or another person for whom the claimant provides care suffered an accident, sudden illness or relapse of a physical or mental condition;

h

that the claimant was attending the funeral of a relative or close friend on the day of the work-focused interview;

i

that the physical or mental condition of the claimant made it impossible to attend at the time and place fixed for the interview;

j

that the established customs and practices of the religion to which the claimant belongs prevented attendance on that day or at that time;

k

any other matter which the Department considers appropriate.