From 14th October 2013 new jobseekers will have to account more clearly for their efforts to find work in order to receive their benefit, the DWP announced today.
{jcomments on}New claimants to Jobseeker’s Allowance will now need to sign a Claimant Commitment which sets out more fully what they need to do in order to receive state support – building on current support and providing clear information about the consequences of failing to meet requirements.
Work coaches will help claimants set out a detailed statement of what they will do to find work using a new personal work plan. Claimants will also use the plan to record what they have done. They will renew their Claimant Commitment on a regular basis. Claimants will have to provide evidence to prove they have met the requirements in their Claimant Commitment. Those who fail to do so without good reason risk losing their benefits.
Employment Minister Esther McVey said:
“The Claimant Commitment marks the start of a redefinition of the relationship between the welfare state and claimants. In return for state support, we expect claimants to do all they can to meet their responsibilities to return to work.”
The Claimant Commitment is being introduced in around 100 Jobcentres a month, until it is in place across the country by the spring.
The DWP press release says; “we are on course to meet our commitment to roll out Universal Credit to a further 6 sites between October and spring 2014, starting with Hammersmith this month. Rugby and Inverness will be the first Jobcentres to put the Claimant Commitment into practice for new claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance – starting this week with national roll out completed by spring 2014.”
Universal Credit replaces income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit – and will be rolled out nationally by 2017.
Source DWP
