Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1995/2705/part/II/crossheading/jobseeking
Timestamp: 2019-08-18 12:41:44
Document Index: 285348980

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 2', 'art. 9', 'Art. 8', 'art. 1', 'art. 9', 'Art. 8', 'art. 1', 'art. 9', 'art. 2', 'art. 9', 'art. 2', 'art. 9', 'art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'Art. 10', 'art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'Art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'Art. 10', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'Art. 10', 'art. 3', 'art. 2', 'art. 9', 'Art. 11', 'art. 2', 'art. 9', 'Art. 12']

The Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, Cross Heading: Work-related requirements is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 August 2019. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Part II Crossheading Jobseeking:
[F1Work-related requirements]F26F27N.I.
F1Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F26functions transf. by SR 1999/481
F27mod. by SR 1999/350
[F1Work-related requirementsN.I.
8.—(1) The following provisions provide for the Department to impose work-related requirements with which claimants must comply for the purposes of this Order.
(2) In this Order “work-related requirement” means—
(a)a work-focused interview requirement (see Article 8B);
(b)a work preparation requirement (see Article 8C);
(c)a work search requirement (see Article 8D);
(d)a work availability requirement (see Article 8E).]
[F1Claimant commitmentN.I.
8A.—(1) A claimant commitment is a record of a claimant's responsibilities in relation to an award of a jobseeker's allowance.
(2) A claimant commitment is to be prepared by the Department and may be reviewed and updated as the Department thinks fit.
(a)a record of the requirements that the claimant must comply with under this Order (or such of them as the Department considers it appropriate to include),
(b)any prescribed information, and
(c)any other information the Department considers it appropriate to include.
(5) For the purposes of this Order a claimant accepts a claimant commitment if, and only if, the claimant accepts the most up-to-date version of it in such manner as may be prescribed.
8B.—(1) In this Order a “work-focused interview requirement” is a requirement that a claimant participate in one or more work-focused interviews as specified by the Department.
8C.—(1) In this Order a “work preparation requirement” is a requirement that a claimant take particular action specified by the Department for the purpose of making it more likely in the opinion of the Department that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).
8D.—(1) In this Order a “work search requirement” is a requirement that a claimant take—
(f)any other action prescribed for the purpose in paragraph (1).
8E.—(1) In this Order a “work availability requirement” is a requirement that a claimant be available for work.
(5) Regulations may for the purposes of paragraph (2) define what is meant by able and willing immediately to take up work.
Imposition of work-related requirementsN.I.
8F.—(1) The Department must, except in prescribed circumstances, impose on a claimant—
(a)a work search requirement, and
(b)a work availability requirement.
(2) The Department may, subject to this Order, impose either or both of the following on a claimant—
(a)a work-focused interview requirement;
(b)a work preparation requirement.
Connected requirementsN.I.
8G.—(1) The Department may require a claimant to participate in an interview for any purpose relating to—
(a)the imposition of a work-related requirement on the claimant;
(b)verifying the claimant's compliance with a work-related requirement;
(c)assisting the claimant to comply with a work-related requirement.
(2) The Department may specify how, when and where such an interview is to take place.
(3) The Department may, for the purpose of verifying the claimant's compliance with a work-related requirement, require a claimant to—
(a)provide to the Department information and evidence specified by the Department in a manner so specified;
(b)confirm compliance in a manner so specified.
(4) The Department may require a claimant to report to the Department any specified changes in the claimant's circumstances which are relevant to—
(a)the imposition of work-related requirements on the claimant;
(b)the claimant's compliance with a work-related requirement.
Imposition of work-related and connected requirements: supplementaryN.I.
8H.—(1) Regulations may make provision—
(a)where the Department may impose a requirement under the preceding provisions, as to when the requirement must or must not be imposed;
(b)where the Department may specify any action to be taken in relation to a requirement under the preceding provisions, as to what action must or must not be specified;
(c)where the Department may specify any other matter in relation to such a requirement, as to what must or must not be specified in respect of that matter.
(2) Where the Department may impose a work-focused interview requirement, the Department must have regard to such matters as may be prescribed.
(3) Where the Department may specify a particular action under Article 8C(1) or 8D(1)(b), the Department must have regard to such matters as may be prescribed.
(4) Where the Department may impose a requirement under the preceding provisions, the Department may revoke or change what has been imposed or specified.
(5) Where the Department may specify any action to be taken in relation to a requirement imposed under the preceding provisions, the Department may revoke or change what has been specified.
(6) Notification of a requirement imposed under the preceding provisions (or any change to or revocation of such a requirement) is, if not included in the claimant commitment, to be in such manner as the Department may determine.
(7) Regulations must make provision to secure that, in prescribed circumstances, where a claimant has recently been a victim of domestic violence—
(a)a requirement imposed on the claimant under the preceding provisions ceases to have effect for a period of 13 weeks, and
(b)the Department may not impose any other requirement on the claimant during that period.
(a)“domestic violence” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
(b)“victim of domestic violence” means a person on or against whom domestic violence is inflicted or threatened (and regulations under paragraph (7) may prescribe circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being a victim of domestic violence);
(c)a person has recently been a victim of domestic violence if a prescribed period has not expired since the violence was inflicted or threatened.
Compliance with work-related and connected requirementsN.I.
8I. Regulations may make provision as to circumstances in which a claimant is to be treated as having—
(a)complied with or not complied with any requirement imposed under the preceding provisions or any aspect of such a requirement, or
(b)taken or not taken any particular action specified by the Department in relation to such a requirement.
Higher-level sanctionsN.I.
8J.—(1) The amount of an award of jobseeker's allowance is to be reduced in accordance with this Article in the event of a failure by a claimant which is sanctionable under this Article.
(a)fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement imposed under a work preparation requirement to undertake a work placement of a prescribed description;
(b)fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement imposed under a work search requirement to apply for a particular vacancy for paid work;
(c)fails for no good reason to comply with a work availability requirement by not taking up an offer of paid work;
(d)by reason of misconduct, or voluntarily and for no good reason, ceases paid work or loses pay.
(3) It is a failure sanctionable under this Article if, at any time before making the claim by reference to which the award is made, the claimant—
(a)for no good reason failed to take up an offer of paid work, or
(b)by reason of misconduct, or voluntarily and for no good reason, ceased paid work or lost pay.
(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) regulations may provide—
(a)for circumstances in which ceasing to work or losing pay is to be treated as occurring or not occurring by reason of misconduct or voluntarily;
(b)for loss of pay below a prescribed level to be disregarded.
(5) Regulations are to specify—
(a)the amount of a reduction under this Article;
(b)the period for which such a reduction has effect, not exceeding 18 months in relation to any failure sanctionable under this Article.
(6) Regulations under paragraph (5)(b) may in particular provide for the period of a reduction to depend on either or both of the following—
(7) Regulations may provide—
8K.—(1) The amount of an award of a jobseeker's allowance is to be reduced in accordance with this Article in the event of a failure by a claimant which is sanctionable under this Article.
(b)fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement under Article 8G.
(3) But a failure by a claimant is not sanctionable under this Article if it is also a failure sanctionable under Article 8J.
(4) Regulations must specify—
(b)a condition relating to future compliance with a work-related requirement or a requirement under Article 8G.
Concurrent exercise of certain functions by Department for Employment and LearningN.I.
F28L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F2Art. 8L omitted (8.5.2016) by virtue of The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(3), Sch. 6 para. 40 (with art. 9(2))
Delegation and contracting outN.I.
8M.—(1) The functions of the Department under Articles 8 to 8I may be exercised by, or by the employees of, such person as the Department may authorise for the purpose (an “authorised person”).
(2) An authorisation given by virtue of this Article may authorise the exercise of a function—
(3) An authorisation under this Article—
(a)may specify its duration;
(b)may be varied or revoked at any time by the Department;
(c)does not prevent the Department or another person from exercising the function to which the authorisation relates.
(4) Anything done or omitted to be done by or in relation to an authorised person (or an employee of that person) in, or in connection with, the exercise or purported exercise of the function concerned is to be treated for all purposes as done or omitted to be done by or in relation to the Department or (as the case may be) an officer of the Department.
(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply—
(a)for the purposes of so much of any contract made between the authorised person and the Department as relates to the exercise of the function, or
(b)for the purposes of any criminal proceedings brought in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the authorised person (or an employee of that person).
(a)the authorisation of an authorised person is revoked, and
F3(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
F3Art. 8M(7) omitted (8.5.2016) by virtue of The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(3), Sch. 6 para. 41 (with art. 9(2))
Actively seeking employmentN.I.
9.—[F4(1) For the purposes of this Order, a person is actively seeking employment in any week if he takes in that week such steps as he can reasonably be expected to have to take in order to have the best prospects of securing employment.
(a)with respect to steps which it is reasonable, for the purposes of paragraph (1), for a person to be expected to have to take in any week;
(b)as to circumstances (for example, his skills, qualifications, abilities and physical or mental limitations) which, in particular, are to be taken into account in determining whether, in relation to any steps taken by a person, the requirements of paragraph (1) are satisfied in any week.
(3) Regulations may make provision for acts of a person which would otherwise be relevant for purposes of this Article to be disregarded in such circumstances (including circumstances constituted by, or connected with, his behaviour or appearance) as may be prescribed.
(4) Regulations may prescribe circumstances in which, for the purposes of this Order, a person is to be treated as actively seeking employment.
(5) Regulations under paragraph (4) may, in particular, provide for a person who is actively seeking employment—
to be treated, for the permitted period determined in his case for the purposes of Article 8(5), as actively seeking employment during that period.
(6) Regulations may provide for this Article, and any regulations made under it, to have effect in relation to a person who has reached the age of 16 but not the age of 18 as if “employment” included “training”.
(7) Where it has been determinedF5 ( “the first determination”) that a person is to be treated, for the purposes of this Order, as actively seeking employment in any week, the question whether he is actively seeking employment in that week may subsequently be determinedF6 on a review of the first determination.
“employment” means employed earner's employment or, in prescribed circumstances—
self-employed earner's employment; or
employed earner's employment and self-employed earner's employment; and “employed earner's employment” and
“self-employed earner's employment” have the same meanings as in the Benefits Act.]
F4Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F5prosp. in pt. rep. by 1998 NI 10
F6prosp. in pt. subst. by 1998 NI 10
Attendance, information and evidenceN.I.
10.—[F7(1) Regulations may make provision for requiring a claimant[F8 (other than a joint-claim couple claiming a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance)]
(a)To [F9participate in an interview in such manner, time and place] as[F8 an employment officer] may specify; and
[F8(1A) Regulations may make provision—
(a)for requiring each member of a joint-claim couple claiming a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance to [F10participate in an interview in such manner, time and place] as [F11an employment officer] , may specify;
(d)where any requirement to provide information or evidence is imposed on such a couple by virtue of sub-paragraph (c), for the joint obligation of the couple to be capable of being discharged by the provision of the information or evidence by one member of the couple.]
(2) Regulations under paragraph (1)[F8 or (1A)] may, in particular—
[F12(a)provide for entitlement to a jobseeker's allowance to cease at such time as may be determined in accordance with any such regulations if, when a person fails to comply with such regulations, that person (or, if that person is a member of a joint-claim couple, either member of the couple) does not make prescribed contact with an employment officer within a prescribed period of the failure;]
F13(ca). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F13(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F14(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F14(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
F7Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F9Words in art. 10(1)(a) substituted (1.6.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 in so far as not already in force) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 51; S.R. 2016/234, art. 2(2)(a)(i); S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(b)
F10Words in art. 10(1A)(a) substituted (1.6.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 in so far as not already in force) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 51; S.R. 2016/234, art. 2(2)(a)(i); S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(b)
F11Words in art. 10(1A)(a) substituted (1.6.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 in so far as not already in force) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 7 para. 3(2); S.R. 2016/234, art. 2(2)(a)(ii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(h)
F12Art. 10(2)(a) substituted for art. 10(2)(a)-(c) (1.6.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 in so far as not already in force) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 7 para. 3(3); S.R. 2016/234, art. 2(2)(a)(ii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(h)
F13Art. 10(2)(ca)(d) repealed (27.9.2017) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 3; S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(j)
F14Art. 10(2A)(3) repealed (27.9.2017) by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), art. 2(2), Sch. 12 Pt. 3; S.R. 2017/190, art. 3(1)(2)(j)
C1Art. 10(2) modified (temp. from 22.9.2010) by Welfare Reform (2010 Act) (Commencement No. 1 and Transitory Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/327), art. 3(a)
The jobseeker's agreementN.I.
11.—[F15(1) An agreement which is entered into by a claimant and an employment officer and which complies with the prescribed requirements in force at the time when the agreement is made is referred to in this Order as “a jobseeker's agreement”.
(2) A jobseeker's agreement shall have effect only for the purposes of Article 3.
(3) A jobseeker's agreement shall be in writing and be signed by both parties.
[F16(3A) The agreement may be in electronic form and signed by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 F17).]
(4) A copy of the agreement shall be given to the claimant.
(5) An employment officer shall not enter into a jobseeker's agreement with a claimant unless, in the officer's opinion, the conditions mentioned in Article 3(2)(a) and (c) would be satisfied with respect to the claimant if he were to comply with, or be treated as complying with, the proposed agreement.
(6) The employment officer may, and if asked to do so by the claimant shall forthwith, refer a proposed jobseeker's agreement toF18 an adjudication officer for him to determine—
(i)the condition mentioned in Article 3(2)(a), or
(ii)the condition mentioned in Article 3(2)(c); and
(7) F18An adjudication officer to whom a reference is made under paragraph (6)—
(a)shall so far as practicable dispose of it in accordance with this Article before the end of the period of 14 days from the date of the reference;
(b)may give such directions, with respect to the terms on which the employment officer is to enter into a jobseeker's agreement with the claimant, asF18 the adjudication officer considers appropriate;
(c)may direct that, if such conditions asF18 he considers appropriate are satisfied, the proposed jobseeker's agreement is to be treated (if entered into) as having effect on such date, before it would otherwise have effect, as may be specified in the direction.
(8) Regulations may provide—
(a)for such matters as may be prescribed to be taken into account byF18 an adjudication officer in giving a direction under paragraph (7)(c); and
(i)any determination ofF18 an adjudication officer under this Article;
(ii)any direction given byF18 an adjudication officer under this Article.
F19(9) Any determination of adjudication officer under this Article shall be binding.
(10) Regulations may provide that, in prescribed circumstances, a claimant is to be treated as having satisfied the condition mentioned in Article 3(2)(b).
(11) Regulations may provide that, in prescribed circumstances, a jobseeker's agreement is to be treated as having effect on a date, to be determined in accordance with the regulations, before it would otherwise have effect.
(12) Except in such circumstances as may be prescribed, a jobseeker's agreement entered into by a claimant shall cease to have effect on the coming to an end of an award of a jobseeker's allowance made to him[F20 or to a joint-claim couple of which he is a member.].
(13) In this Article and Article 12 “employment officer” means an officer of the Department or such other person as may be designated for the purposes of this Article by an order made by the Department.]
F15Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F16Art. 11(3A) inserted (1.2.2012) by Social Security (Electronic Communications) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/298), arts. 1, 3(2)
F172000 c. 7
F18prosp. in pt. subst. by 1998 NI 10
F19prosp. in pt. rep. by 1998 NI 10
Variation of jobseeker's agreementN.I.
12.—[F21(1) A jobseeker's agreement may be varied, in the prescribed manner, by agreement between the claimant and any employment officer.
(2) Any agreement to vary a jobseeker's agreement shall be in writing and be signed by both parties.
[F22(2A) Any agreement to vary a jobseeker's agreement may be in electronic form and signed by means of an electronic signature (within the meaning given in section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000).]
(3) A copy of the agreement, as varied, shall be given to the claimant.
(4) An employment officer shall not agree to a variation of a jobseeker's agreement, unless, in the officer's opinion, the conditions mentioned in Article 3(2)(a) and (c) would continue to be satisfied with respect to the claimant if he were to comply with, or be treated as complying with, the agreement as proposed to be varied.
(5) The employment officer may, and if asked to do so by the claimant shall forthwith, refer a proposed variation of a jobseeker's agreement toF23 an adjudication officer for him to determine—
(6) F23An adjudication officer to whom a reference is made under paragraph (5)—
(b)shall give such directions asF23 he considers appropriate as to—
(i)whether the jobseeker's agreement should be varied, and
(c)may bring the jobseeker's agreement to an end where the claimant fails, within a prescribed period, to comply with a direction given under sub-paragraph (b)(ii);
(i)the jobseeker's agreement is varied, and
(ii)such conditions asF23 he considers appropriate are satisfied,
(a)or such matters as may be prescribed to be taken into account byF23 an adjudication officer in giving a direction under paragraph (6)(b) or (d); and
(i)any determination ofF23 an adjudication officer under this Article;
(ii)any direction given byF23 an adjudication officer under this Article.
F24(8) Any determination of an adjudication officer under this Article shall be binding.]
F21Arts. 8-8M and cross-heading substituted (2.5.2016 for specified purposes, 27.9.2017 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) for arts. 8-12 and cross-heading by The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/2006), arts. 2(2), 55(4); S.R. 2016/215, art. 2(3)(a)(iii); S.R. 2017/190, art. 9 (with arts. 10-25)
F22Art. 12(2A) inserted (1.2.2012) by Social Security (Electronic Communications) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/298), arts. 1, 3(3)
F23prosp. in pt. subst. by 1998 NI 10
F24prosp. in pt. rep. by 1998 NI 10
F25Jobseeker's agreement: reviews and appealsN.I.
13.—(1) Any determination of, or direction given by, an adjudication officer under Article 11 or 12 may be reviewed (by a different adjudication officer) on the application of the claimant or of an employment officer.
(2) Regulations may make provision with respect to the procedure to be followed on a review under this Article.
(3) The claimant may appeal to a social security appeal tribunal against any determination of, or direction given by, an adjudication officer on a review under this Article.
(4) A social security appeal tribunal determining an appeal under this Article may give a direction of a kind which an adjudication officer may give under Article 11(7)(b) or (c) or (as the case may be) Article 12(6)(b) or (d).
(5) Where a social security appeal tribunal gives a direction under paragraph (4) of a kind which may be given by an adjudication officer under Article 12(6)(b)(ii), an adjudication officer may bring the job seeker's agreement to an end if the claimant fails to comply with the direction within a prescribed period.
(6) An appropriate person may, on the ground that it was erroneous in point of law, appeal to a Commissioner against the decision of a social security appeal tribunal on an appeal under this Article.
(7) Any of the following is an appropriate person for the purposes of paragraph (6)—
(8) Subsections (7) to (10) of section 21 of the Administration Act (appeals to Commissioners) shall apply in relation to appeals under this Article as they apply in relation to appeals under that section.
(9) In this Article "Commissioner" has the same meaning as in the Administration Act.
F25prosp. in pt. rep. by 1998 NI 10