The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Provision of information and evidence

24.—(1) A claimant shall provide such information as to his circumstances, his availability for employment and the extent to which he is actively seeking employment as may be required by the Department in order to determine the entitlement of the claimant to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to him and, if so, in what amount.

(2) A claimant shall furnish such other information in connection with the claim, or any question arising out of it, as may be required by the Department.

(3) Where—

(a)a jobseeker’s allowance may be claimed by either member of a couple, or

(b)entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance or whether that allowance is payable and, if so, in what amount, is or may be affected by the circumstances of either member of a couple or any member of a polygamous marriage,

the Department may require the member of the couple other than the claimant to certify in writing whether he agrees to the claimant’s making the claim, or that he, or any member of a polygamous marriage, confirms the information given about his circumstances.

(4) A claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents and other evidence as may be required by the Department for the determination of the claim.

(5) A claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents and other evidence affecting his continuing entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance, whether that allowance is payable to him and, if so, in what amount as the Department may require.

(6) A claimant shall, if the Department requires him to do so, provide a signed declaration to the effect that—

(a)he is, and has been since making a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance or since he last provided a declaration in accordance with this paragraph, either available for employment or satisfied the circumstances to be treated as available for employment, save as he has otherwise notified the Department;

(b)since making a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance or since he last provided a declaration in accordance with this paragraph he has either been actively seeking employment to the extent necessary to give him his best prospects of securing employment or he has satisfied the circumstances to be treated as actively seeking employment, save as he has otherwise notified the Department, and

(c)since making a claim for a jobseeker’s allowance or since he last provided a declaration in accordance with this paragraph there has been no change to his circumstances which might affect his entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance or the payability or amount of such an allowance, save as he has notified the Department.

(7) A claimant shall notify the Department—

(a)of any change of circumstances which has occurred which he might reasonably be expected to know might affect his entitlement to a jobseeker’s allowance or the payability or amount of such an allowance, and

(b)of any such change of circumstances which he is aware is likely so to occur,

and shall do so as soon as reasonably practicable after its occurrence or, as the case may be, after he becomes so aware, by giving notice in writing (unless the Department determines in any particular case to accept notice given otherwise than in writing) to the appropriate office.

(8) Where, pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), a claimant is required to provide information he shall do so when he attends in accordance with a notice under regulation 23 (attendance), if so required by the Department, or within such period as the Department may require.

(9) Where, pursuant to paragraph (4) or (5), a claimant is required to provide certificates, documents or other evidence he shall do so within 7 days of being so required or such longer period as the Department may consider reasonable.

(10) Where, pursuant to paragraph (6), a claimant is required to provide a signed declaration he shall provide it on the day on which he is required to attend in accordance with a notice under regulation 23 or such other day as the Department may require.