Jobseekers Act 1995

[F1 20A (1) Where this section applies to a member of a joint-claim couple, that member of the couple shall be subject to sanctions for the purposes of this section.

(2) This section applies to a member of a joint-claim couple if that member of the couple—

(a) has, without good cause, refused or failed to carry out any jobseeker’s direction which was reasonable, having regard to his circumstances;

(b) has, without good cause—

(i) neglected to avail himself of a reasonable opportunity of a place on a training scheme or employment programme;

(ii) after a place on such a scheme or programme has been notified to him by an employment officer as vacant or about to become vacant, refused or failed to apply for it or to accept it when offered to him;

(iii) given up a place on such a scheme or programme; or

(iv) failed to attend such a scheme or programme on which he has been given a place;

(c) has lost his place on such a scheme or programme through misconduct;

(d) has lost his employment as an employed earner through misconduct;

(e) has voluntarily left such employment without just cause;

(f) has, without good cause, after a situation in any employment has been notified to him by an employment officer as vacant or about to become vacant, refused or failed to apply for it or to accept it when offered to him; or

(g) has, without good cause, neglected to avail himself of a reasonable opportunity of employment.

(3) Where this section applies to a member of a joint-claim couple by virtue of any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (2), the period for which he is to be subject to sanctions shall be such period (of at least one week but not more than 26 weeks) as may be prescribed.

(4) Where this section applies to a member of a joint-claim couple by virtue only of any of paragraphs (d) to (g) of subsection (2), the period for which he is to be subject to sanctions shall be such period (of at least one week but not more than 26 weeks) as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

(5) Even though the conditions for entitlement to a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance are satisfied in relation to a joint-claim couple—

(a) the allowance shall not be payable for any period during which both members of the couple are subject to sanctions; and

(b) the amount of the allowance payable in respect of the couple for any period during which only one member of the couple is subject to sanctions shall be reduced to an amount calculated by the prescribed method (“the reduced amount”).

(6) The method prescribed for calculating the reduced amount may, in particular, involve—

(a) deducting amounts from, or making percentage reductions of, the amount which would be the amount of the allowance if neither member of the couple were subject to sanctions;

(b) disregarding portions of the applicable amount;

(c) treating amounts as being income or capital of the couple.

(7) During any period for which the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker’s allowance payable in respect of a joint-claim couple is the reduced amount, the allowance shall be payable to the member of the couple who is not subject to sanctions.

(8) Regulations may prescribe—

(a) circumstances which the Secretary of State is to take into account, and

(b) circumstances which he is not to take into account,

in determining a period under subsection (4).

(9) Subsections (7) to (10) of section 19 apply for the purposes of this section as for those of that section but as if references in subsection (10)(b) of that section to the claimant were to the member of the joint-claim couple to whom subsection (2)(a) above applies.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 20A, 20B inserted (19.3.2001) by 1999 c. 30, s. 59, Sch. 7 para. 13; S.I. 2000/2958, art. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 20A restricted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 1996/207, reg. 74A(3) (as inserted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 2000/1978, reg. 2(5), Sch. 2 para. 30)

C2 S. 20A modified by S.I. 2003/2438, reg. 7 (as inserted (26.4.2004) by The Employment Zones (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1043), reg. 2(f))

C3 S. 20A(5)(a)(b) restricted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 1996/207, reg. 146C(6) (as inserted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 2000/1978, reg. 2(2))

C4 S. 20A(5)(a)(b) restricted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 1996/207, reg. 146C(6) (as inserted (19.3.2001) by S.I. 2000/1978, reg. 2(2))

C5 S. 20A(6) applied (1.12.2000 for specified purposes and 15.10.2001 for further specified purposes and otherwise prosp. ) by 2000 c. 19, ss. 63(5), 86(1)(c)(2) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2000/2950, art. 5; S.I. 2001/2619, art. 2(1)(b)(ii)(2)(b)

S. 20A(6) applied (17.11.2001 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 11, s. 8(5); S.I. 2001/3689, art. 2(1)