Sub-paragraphs (5),  (6) and (7) of paragraph 15 amend paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the Jobseekers Act (claims yet to be determined and suspended payments) to allow regulations to prescribe when a joint-claim couple or a member of such a couple may be treated as entitled to income-based JSA before the claim has been decided. It is intended that regulations will specify the same circumstances as are currently provided for JSA claimants in regulations.
They also allow for income-based JSA to be paid to the joint-claim couple or a member of such a couple where payment has been suspended. It is intended that regulations will specify the same circumstances as are currently provided for JSA claimants in regulations.
Paragraph 17: Interpretation of Chapter II of Part I of the Social Security Act 1998
Paragraph 17 amends section 39(1) of the Social Security Act 1998 so that members of joint claim couples have a right of appeal jointly or separately.
Schedule 8: Paragraph 28
This paragraph amends section 124(1)(f) of the Contributions and Benefits Act which provides that a person is only entitled to Income Support if he is not entitled to Jobseeker’s Allowance. Income Support and JSA are mutually exclusive benefits. As with the provision at paragraph 14 of Schedule 7, it ensures that this general rule is extended to joint claim couples.
Schedule 8: Paragraph 29
Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) amend sections 4 and 17 respectively of the Jobseekers Act, to ensure consistency of wording with provisions in Schedule 7 to this Act, which introduces joint claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Commentary Commentary Claims yet to be determined and suspended payments