PART 5CONDITIONS OF ENTITLEMENT
Linking periods38
1
For the purposes of the Order, 2 or more jobseeking periods must 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; or
d
a period in respect of which the claimant is summoned for jury service and is required to attend court.
2
Linked periods for the purposes of the Order are any of the following periods—
a
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 (incapacity for work) M2;
c
any period throughout which the claimant has, or is treated as having, limited capability for work for the purposes of Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 M3;
d
any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 or 35Bof the Benefits Act M4;
e
any period throughout which the claimant was engaged in training for which a training allowance is payable;
f
a period which includes 6th October 1996 during which the claimant attends court in response to a summons for jury service and which was immediately preceded by a period of entitlement to unemployment benefit.
3
A period is a linked period for the purposes of Article 4(4)(b)(ii) of the Order only where it ends within 12 weeks or less of the commencement of a jobseeking period or of some other linked period.
4
A period of entitlement to carer's allowance F2or carer support payment is a linked period only where it enables the claimant to satisfy contribution conditions for entitlement to a jobseeker's allowance which the claimant would otherwise be unable to satisfy.