Part I The Jobseeker’s Allowance
F2Denial of jobseeker’s allowance
I1C1C219F1Higher-level sanctions
1
The amount of an award of a jobseeker's allowance is to be reduced in accordance with this section in the event of a failure by the claimant which is sanctionable under this section.
2
It is a failure sanctionable under this section if a claimant—
a
through misconduct loses employment as an employed earner;
b
without a good reason voluntarily leaves such employment;
c
without a good reason refuses or fails to apply for, or accept if offered, a situation in any employment which an employment officer has informed him is vacant or about to become vacant;
d
without a good reason neglects to avail himself of a reasonable opportunity of employment;
e
without a good reason fails to participate in any scheme within section 17A(1) which is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
3
For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), in such circumstances as may be prescribed, including in particular where a person has been dismissed by his employer by reason of redundancy within the meaning of section 139(1) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 after volunteering or agreeing to be so dismissed, a person who might otherwise be treated as having left his employment voluntarily is to be treated as not having left voluntarily.
4
Regulations are to provide for—
a
the amount of a reduction under this section;
b
the period for which such a reduction has effect, not exceeding three years in relation to any failure sanctionable under this section.
5
Regulations under subsection (4)(b) may in particular provide for the period of a reduction to depend on either or both of the following—
a
the number of failures by the claimant sanctionable under this section;
b
the period between such failures.
6
Regulations may provide—
a
for cases in which no reduction is to be made under this section;
b
for a reduction under this section made in relation to an award that is terminated to be applied to any new award made within a prescribed period of the termination.
7
During any period for which the amount of a joint-claim jobseeker's allowance is reduced under this section by virtue of a failure by one of the claimants which is sanctionable under this section, the allowance is payable to the other member of the couple.
S. 17C and preceding cross-heading inserted (12.11.2009) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), ss. 11, 61(1), Sch. 3 para. 1