The Social Security (Working Neighbourhoods) Regulations 2004

Good cause E+W+S

14.  Matters to be taken into account in determining whether the relevant person or, where the relevant person is a partner, the relevant person or the benefit recipient has shown good cause for the relevant person’s failure to take part in an interview include—

(a) that the relevant person misunderstood the requirement to take part in an interview due to any learning, language or literacy difficulties of the relevant person or any misleading information given to the relevant person by the officer;

(b) that the relevant person was attending a medical or dental appointment, or accompanying a person for whom the relevant person had caring responsibilities to such an appointment, and that it would have been unreasonable, in the circumstances, to rearrange the appointment;

(c) that the relevant person had difficulties with his normal mode of transport and that no reasonable alternative was available;

(d) that the established customs and practices of the religion to which the relevant person belongs prevented him attending on the day or at the time fixed for the interview;

(e) that the relevant person was attending an interview with an employer with a view to obtaining employment;

(f) that the relevant person was pursuing employment opportunities as a self-employed earner;

(g) that the relevant person, benefit recipient or a dependant or a person for whom the relevant person provides care suffered an accident, sudden illness or relapse of a physical or mental health condition;

(h) that the relevant person was attending the funeral of a relative or close friend on the day fixed for the interview;

(i) that a disability from which the relevant person suffers made it impracticable for him to attend at the time fixed for the interview.