PART 5Conditions of entitlement

Linking Periods39

1

For the purposes of the Act, two 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 two 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 Act are any of the following periods—

a

to the extent specified in paragraph (4), any period throughout which the claimant is entitled to a carer's allowance under section 70 of the Benefits Act M1F2or carer support payment;

b

any period throughout which the claimant is incapable of work, or is treated as incapable of work, in accordance with Part 12A of the Benefits ActM2;

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 2007;

d

any period throughout which the claimant was entitled to a maternity allowance under section 35 F1or 35B of the Benefits ActM3;

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 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.

4

A period of entitlement to carer's allowance F3or 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.