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 [F2 a] [F2 carer’s 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 F3 ;

[F4 (bb) 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;]

(c) any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 [F5 or 35B] of the Benefits Act;

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

[F6 (e) a period which includes 6th October [F7 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.]

[F8 (f) any period throughout which the claimant was participating—

(i) in the [F9 Self-Employed] Employment Option of the New Deal as specified in regulation 75(1)(a)(ii)(aa);

[F10 (ii) in the Voluntary Sector Option of the New Deal specified in regulation 75(1)(a)(ii)(bb), in the Environment Task Force Option of the New Deal specified in regulation 75(1)(a)(ii)(cc [F11 or in the Intensive Activity Period specified in regulation 75(1)(a)(iv)] and was not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance because, as a consequence of his participation, the claimant was engaged in remunerative work or failed to satisfy the condition specified either in section 2(1)(c) or in section 3(1)(a).]

[F12 (g) any period throughout which the claimant was participating in an employment zone programme and was not entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance because, as a consequence of his participation in that programme, he was engaged in remunerative work or failed to satisfy the condition specified in section 2(1)(c) or in section 3(1)(a).]

[F13 (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 [F2 carer’s 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 Words in reg. 48 substituted (1.4.2003) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/511), regs. 1, 3(4)(5)

F3 Part XIIA was inserted by the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Act 1994 (c.18), section 5.

F4 Reg. 48(2)(bb) inserted (27.10.2008) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1554), regs. 1(2)(b), 3(7)

F5 Words in reg. 48(2)(c) inserted (18.5.2014) by The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/884), regs. 1, 4(4)

F6 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)

F7 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)

F8 Reg. 48(2)(f) added (5.1.1998) by The Social Security Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/2863), regs. 1(1), 4

F9 Words in reg. 48(2)(f)(i) inserted (14.10.2002) by The Social Security Amendment (Employment Programme) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2314), regs. 1, 2(3)

F10 Reg. 48(2)(f)(ii) substituted (9.4.2001) by The Social Security Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/1029), regs. 1(1), 3

F11 Words in reg. 48(2)(f)(ii) substituted (14.4.2008) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/698), regs. 1(1), 4(7)

F12 Reg. 48(2)(g) added (3.4.2000) by The Social Security Amendment (Employment Zones) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/724), regs. 1(1), 4(4)(a)

F13 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)