Jobseeker's Allowance and Actively Seeking Work

In order to obtain Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) you must be able to show that you taking active steps to gain employment. You are expected to take at least three such steps each week.

The JSA regulations give the following as examples of job seeking activities:

• applying for jobs (either orally or in writing);
• obtaining information about job vacancies;
• registering with an employment agency;
• following referral by an employment officer, seeking specialist advice on improving your job prospects with regard to any physical or mental limitations that you may have;
• putting together a CV;
• obtaining a reference or testimonial from a previous employer;
• compiling a list of employers who may be able to offer you work and seeking information from them;
• seeking information about an occupation with a view to seeking employment in that occupation.

The DWP Decision Maker's Guide states that "any other steps can be taken into account providing they give claimants their best chance of finding employment"

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A step will not be counted if;

• you act in a violent or abusive manner when carrying out the action (eg during a job interview);
• you spoil or otherwise deface an application form;
• your behaviour or appearance undermined your chances of gaining work.

The above will be overlooked if you can show that the reasons for the behaviour are beyond your control (eg if you have a mental health problem which makes it difficult for you to control your behaviour).

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If the DWP feels that you are not taking sufficient steps to find work then you may be issued with a jobseeker's direction requiring you to carry out certain actions. Failure to comply with this direction can result in your benefit being sanctioned. In the first instance you will lose your benefit for two weeks, a second "offence" will result in a four week loss of benefit.

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Decision Makers are instructed to taking the following factors into account when deciding whether or not you have taken steps than you can be reasonably expected to take when looking for work;

• your skills, qualifications and abilities; and
• your physical or mental limitations; and
• the time that has passed since you last worked: and
• your work experience; and
• the steps that you have taken in previous weeks and the effectiveness of those steps in improving your chance of getting employment; and
• the availability and location of employment; and
• any time you spent launching or crewing a lifeboat, on duty as a part-time fireman, performing emergency duties for the benefit of others, performing duties as a member of any territorial or reserve force: and
• any time you spent on an Outward Bound course; and
• attending a course in the training of guide dogs (this only applies if you are blind); and
• participating in training in the use of aids which will help you overcome any physical or mental limitations that you may have; and
• taking part in an employment related course as a part time student; and
• doing voluntary work with a view to improving your chances of finding work; and
• taking part in an employment or training programme; and
• if you are homeless in any one week and the steps that you have taken to seek accommodation.

You are allowed to have short periods of absence in certain specific circumstances. These are listed on our "JSA and being available for work" page.

You are allowed to take two weeks holiday in any twelve month period providing you give written notice of your intention.

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