I still have to look after my children. What does ‘available for work’ and ‘actively seeking work’ mean for lone parents?

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I still have to look after my children. What does 'available for work' and 'actively seeking work' mean for lone parents?

Benefits changes 2008

If you are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance you must show that you are willing and able to take up work, and that you are actively taking steps to find suitable work such as making job applications. You can discuss what type of work is suitable for you with your Personal Adviser, and you can place some restrictions on the type of work that you will accept. Also, if you are caring for a child aged under 16, you can tell your Personal Advisor that you do not want to work for more 16 hours a week. or until your youngest child reaches 16 whichever is earliest.

Other situations in which the Jobcentre will accept that you are not available to take up work are:

during the school holidays if you are caring for a child, do not have childcare, and it would be unreasonable for you to make other childcare arrangements;
where your child has been excluded from school; and
where you have received either a parenting order or have entered a parenting contract under the Anti Social Behaviour Act.

Talk to your Personal Adviser and explain your situation. You will normally be expected to be looking for paid work.

If you refuse to apply for or take up a job, and the Jobcentre does not accept that you have a good cause for not doing so, you can be sanctioned (see What will happen if I don't meet the conditions for claiming Jobseeker's Allowance?). For more information, ring the Lone Parent Helpline.

Next page: What if I leave work or cannot look for work because of my family? What if I can't find childcare?

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