The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996

Linking Periods

48.—(1) For the purposes of the Act, two 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) linked period;

(c) any period of not more than 12 weeks falling between–

(i) any two linked periods; or

(ii) a jobseeking period and a linked period;

[F1 (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 Act 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 F2 ;

(c) any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 of the Benefits Act;

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

[F3 (e) a period which includes 6th October [F4 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.]

[F5 (2A) A period is a linked period for the purposes of section 2(4)(b)(ii) of the Act only where it ends within 12 weeks or less of the commencement of a jobseeking period or of some other linked period.]

(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.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 48(1)(d) substituted (7.10.1996) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support (General) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1517), regs. 1, 15

F2 Part XIIA was inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c.18), section 5.

F3 Reg. 48(2)(e) added (28.10.1996) by The Social Security and Child Support (Jobseeker’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/2538), regs. 1, 2(6)(a)

F4 Word in reg. 48(2)(e) inserted (7.4.1997) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/454), regs. 1(c), 2(4)

F5 Reg. 48(2A) inserted (28.10.1996) by The Social Security and Child Support (Jobseeker’s Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/2538), regs. 1, 2(6)(b)