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The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996
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- Revised Version 31/3/2020
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- Revised Version 30/6/2017
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- Revised Version 29/2/2016
- Revised Version 30/11/2015
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- Revised Version 28/2/2015
- Revised Version 30/11/2014
Changes over time for: Section 5
Changes to legislation:
There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Regulation 5:
- Regulations amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2020/409, reg. 6(2) by S.I. 2021/476 reg. 4(6)
- Regulations modified (temp.) by S.I. 2020/409 reg. 2(2)(b)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Instrument associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Instrument (including any effects on those provisions):
- Sch. A1 para. 3(a)(va) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 6(c)
- Sch. A1 para. 3(a)(via) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(6)(d)
- Sch. 1 para. 15A(1ZA)(aa) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 7(3)
- Sch. 1 para. 16(1)(aza) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 7(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 14(1)(caa) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 14(1)(fb) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(c)
- Sch. 1 para. 14(1)(g)(iv) and word inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(e)
- Sch. 1 para. 15(5)(ab) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(j)
- Sch. 1 para. 15A(1ZA)(ba) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(k)
- Sch. 1 para. 16(1)(ac) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(l)
- Sch. 1 para. 20H(1)(caa) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(o)
- Sch. 1 para. 20H(1)(gb) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(p)
- Sch. 1 para. 20H(1)(h)(iv) and word inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(r)
- Sch. 1 para. 20I(4)(d) and semi-colon inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(7)(v)
- Sch. 1 para. 8(1)(c) inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(a)(iii)
- Sch. 1 para. 20D(1)(c) inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(e)(iii)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)art. 19(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)art. 19(4)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 20(3) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20(7) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20(8) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(2) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(6) Sch. 11
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(3) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(6) Sch. 11
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(5) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(6) Sch. 11
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(6) sum substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(6) Sch. 11
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2021/162 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2021/162 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2021/162 art. 27(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2021/162 art. 27(4)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2022/292 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2022/292 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2022/292 art. 27(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2022/292 art. 27(4)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2023/316 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2023/316 art. 27(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2023/316 art. 27(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2023/316 art. 27(4)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2024/242 art. 26(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2024/242 art. 26(3)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a) sum substituted by S.I. 2024/242 art. 26(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(b) sum substituted by S.I. 2024/242 art. 26(4)(b)
- Sch. 1 para. 20(4) sums substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20(5) sums substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20(6) sums substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20(9) sums substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(5) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(4) sums substituted by S.I. 2014/516 art. 19(1)(6) Sch. 11
- Sch. 1 para. 20(6)(b)(i) words inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(d)(i)
- Sch. 1 para. 20(6)(b)(ii) words inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(d)(ii)
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(4)(i) words inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(h)(i)
- Sch. 1 para. 20M(4)(ii) words inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(9)(h)(ii)
- Sch. 1 para. 20I(4)(d) words substituted by S.I. 2022/530 art. 3(2)(a)
- Sch. 1 Pt. 4B table substituted by S.I. 2021/162 art. 27(6) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 Pt. 4B table substituted by S.I. 2022/292 art. 27(6) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 Pt. 4B table substituted by S.I. 2023/316 art. 27(6) Sch. 10
- Sch. 1 Pt. 4B table substituted by S.I. 2024/242 art. 26(6) Sch. 10
- Sch. 2 para. 17(6)(b)(iia) and word inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 9(a)
- Sch. 2 para. 17(6)(b)(iiia) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(8)(a)
- Sch. 2 para. 14(c)(iv) words omitted by S.I. 2008/698 reg. 4(15)
- Sch. 2 para. 1A(1)(a) words substituted by S.I. 2017/725 Sch. 5 para. 3(f)(iii)(aa)
- Sch. 2 para. 1A(1)(a) words substituted by S.I. 2017/725 Sch. 5 para. 3(f)(iii)(bb)
- Sch. 3 para. 1(2) words substituted by S.I. 2004/2825 reg. 2(5)
- Sch. 4 para. 10(1)(a) word substituted by S.I. 2001/1785 reg. 3(c)(i)
- Sch. 4 para. 10(1)(b) word substituted by S.I. 2001/1785 reg. 3(c)(ii)
- Sch. 7 para. 80 inserted by S.I. 2020/482 art. 4(2)
- Sch. 7 para. 41(1A) inserted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(11)(b)(ii)
- Sch. 7 para. 81 inserted by S.I. 2020/989 art. 10(2)
- Sch. 7 para. 82 inserted by S.I. 2021/886 art. 12(2)
- Sch. 7 para. 83 inserted by S.I. 2023/1218 art. 8(12)
- Sch. 7 para. 41(1A)(d) inserted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(7)(a)
- Sch. 7 para. 41(1A) substituted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(7)(b)(i)
- Sch. 8 para. 65(1) Sch. 8 para. 65 renumbered as Sch. 8 para. 65(1) by S.I. 2023/134 Sch. para. 3(b)(i)
- Sch. 8 para. 27(1A) inserted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(12)(a)(ii)
- Sch. 8 para. 70 inserted by S.I. 2020/989 art. 3(2)
- Sch. 8 para. 71 inserted by S.I. 2020/989 art. 16(2)
- Sch. 8 para. 12A inserted by S.I. 2023/134 Sch. para. 3(a)
- Sch. 8 para. 65(2) inserted by S.I. 2023/134 Sch. para. 3(b)(ii)
- Sch. 8 para. 27(5A) inserted by S.I. 2023/894 reg. 2(1)(b)(2)
- Sch. 8 para. 27(1A) words inserted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(8)(a)(i)
- Sch. 8 para. 27(1A) words inserted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(8)(a)
- Sch. 8 para. 12(1)(a) words substituted by S.I. 2020/482 art. 4(3)
- Sch. 8 para. 12(1)(a) words substituted by S.I. 2020/989 art. 10(3)
- Sch. 8 para. 12(1)(a) words substituted by S.I. 2021/886 art. 12(3)
- reg. 13(3A)(a) words inserted by 2020 c. 17 Sch. 24 para. 318
- reg. 15(1)(b) amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2020/409, reg. 6(2) by S.I. 2021/476 reg. 4(6)
- reg. 15(1)(b) words omitted (temp.) by S.I. 2020/409 reg. 4
- reg. 51(3)(c)(iva) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 3(c)
- reg. 51(3)(c)(va) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(3)(c)
- reg. 85A(3A)(c) and word inserted by S.I. 2020/1372 reg. 10(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(3B) inserted by S.I. 2020/683 reg. 3(2)(a)
- reg. 85A(4)(h)(iv) and word inserted by S.I. 2021/1034 reg. 2(3)(b)(4)
- reg. 85A(4)(zza)(zzb) inserted by S.I. 2021/1034 reg. 2(2)(4)
- reg. 85A(4)(zzb) word substituted by S.I. 2022/344 reg. 2(2)reg. 2(5)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zzc) inserted by S.I. 2022/344 reg. 2(3)reg. 2(5)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zzc)(i) word omitted by S.I. 2022/990 reg. 2(1)(a)reg. 2(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zzc)(iii) inserted by S.I. 2022/990 reg. 2(1)(c)reg. 2(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zzc)(ii) word inserted by S.I. 2022/990 reg. 2(1)(b)reg. 2(2)(b)
- reg 85A(4)(zzd) inserted by S.I. 2023/532 reg. 2(1)reg. 2(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zze) inserted by S.I. 2023/1144 reg. 2(1)reg. 2(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(4)(zd) inserted by S.I. 2020/683 reg. 3(2)(c)
- reg. 85A(4)(ze)(zf) inserted by S.I. 2020/1309 reg. 55(2)(b)
- reg. 85A(5) inserted by S.I. 2020/683 reg. 3(2)(d)
- reg. 85A(6) inserted by S.I. 2020/1309 reg. 55(2)(c)
- reg. 105(10A)(ab) inserted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(3)(b)
- reg. 105(10A)(ac)(ad) inserted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(3)
- reg. 105(10A)(ae) inserted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(3)
- reg. 110(10)(ab) inserted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(4)(a)
- reg. 110(10)(ab) word omitted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(4)(a)
- reg. 110(10)(ac)(ad) inserted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(4)(b)
- reg. 110(10)(ad) word omitted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(4)(a)
- reg. 110(10)(ae) inserted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(4)(b)
- reg. 113(3B) inserted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(5)(c)
- reg. 113(3B) words substituted by S.I. 2021/1405 reg. 3(5)
- reg. 113(3B)(d)(e) inserted by S.I. 2023/640 reg. 3(5)
- reg. 137A words omitted by S.I. 2020/618 reg. 3(9)
- reg. 140(1)(h)(iiia) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 4(c)
- reg. 140(1)(h)(iva) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(4)(c)
- reg. 146A(1)(e)(iiia) inserted by S.I. 2021/786 Sch. 3 para. 5(c)
- reg. 146A(1)(e)(iva) inserted by S.I. 2022/177 art. 5(5)(c)
Exceptions to requirement to be available immediately: carers, voluntary workers, persons providing a service and persons under an obligation to provide notice
5.—[F1(1) [F2Subject to paragraph (1A),] in order to be regarded as available for employment—
F3(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)a person who is engaged in voluntary work [F4or who has caring responsibilities] is not required to be able to take up employment immediately, providing he is willing and able—
(i)to take up employment on being given one week’s notice; and
(ii)to attend for interview in connection with the opportunity of any such employment on being given 48 hours' notice.]
[F5(1A) In order to be regarded as available for employment, a person who has caring responsibilities in relation to a child is not required to take up employment or attend for interview within the periods referred to in paragraph (1) if those responsibilities make it unreasonable for him to do so, providing he is willing and able—
(a)to take up employment on being given 28 days notice; and
(b)to attend for interview in connection with the opportunity of any such employment on being given 7 days notice.
(1B) For the purposes of paragraph (1A), it is for the claimant to show that it is unreasonable for him to take up employment or attend for interview within the periods referred to in paragraph (1). ]
(2) In order to be regarded as available for employment, a person who is engaged, whether by contract or otherwise, in providing a service with or without remuneration, other than a person who has caring responsibilities or who is engaged in voluntary work, is not required to be able to take up employment immediately, providing he is willing and able to take up employment on being given 24 hours’ notice.
(3) In order to be regarded as available for employment, a person who is in employed earner’s employment and is not engaged in remunerative work and who is required by [F6section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996] to give notice to terminate his contract is not required to be able to take up employment immediately, providing he is willing and able to take up employment immediately he is able to do so in accordance with his statutory obligations.
(4) Where in accordance with regulation 7, 13[F7, 13A] or 17 a person is only available for employment at certain times, he is not required to be able to take up employment at a time at which he is not available, but he must be willing and able to take up employment immediately he is available.
(5) Where in accordance with paragraph [F8(1), (1A) or (2)] a person is not required to be able to take up employment immediately, the F9... periods referred to in those paragraphs include periods when in accordance with regulation 7[F10, 13 or 13A] he is not available.
[F11(6) In this regulation “week” means any period of seven consecutive days.]
Textual Amendments
F1Reg. 5(1) substituted (1.1.2003) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/3072), regs. 1(b), 3(a)
F2Words in reg. 5(1) inserted (24.11.2008) by The Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3051), regs. 1(2), 11(2)(a) (with reg. 13)
F3Reg. 5(1)(a) omitted (30.5.2006) by virtue of The Social Security (Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1402), regs. 1, 2(2)(a)
F4Words in reg. 5(1)(b) inserted (30.5.2006) by The Social Security (Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1402), regs. 1, 2(2)(b)
F5Reg. 5(1A)(1B) inserted (24.11.2008) by The Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3051), regs. 1(2), 11(2)(b) (with reg. 13)
F6Words in reg. 5(3) substituted (1.10.2007) by The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 5) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2618), regs. 1(1), 8(3)
F7Word in reg. 5(4) inserted (26.4.2010) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Lone Parents) (Availability for Work) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/837), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(a)
F8Words in reg. 5(5) substituted (24.11.2008) by The Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3051), regs. 1(2), 11(2)(c)(i) (with reg. 13)
F9Words in reg. 5(5) omitted (24.11.2008) by virtue of The Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/3051), regs. 1(2), 11(2)(c)(ii) (with reg. 13)
F10Words in reg. 5(5) substituted (26.4.2010) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Lone Parents) (Availability for Work) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/837), regs. 1(2), 2(2)(b)
F11Reg. 5(6) inserted (1.1.2003) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/3072), regs. 1(b), 3(c)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Reg. 5 heading modified (22.11.2010) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1222), regs. 1(2), 12(2)(a)
C2Reg. 5(1)(b) modified (22.11.2010) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1222), regs. 1(2), 12(2)(b)
C3Reg. 5(2) modified (22.11.2010) by The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work for Your Benefit Pilot Scheme) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1222), regs. 1(2), 12(2)(c)
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