Joint Claims. Overview

Transcription

1 Joint Claims Overview 1. Unless they have been granted an exemption, both members of a Joint Claim couple must meet the Labour Market requirements in order to receive Jobseeker s Allowance and/or National Insurance Credits. 2. Both members must attend an Initial Work Search Interview(IWSI)before the Joint Claim can be registered. 3. All jobseekers are still required to attend a IWSI unless in very exceptional circumstances, they are unable to attend the jobcentre. In such circumstances, members of a Joint Claim can request that their IWSI is postponed. 4. More information can be found in the Joint Claim Exemption Guide. Joint Claim Initial Work Search Interview (IWSI) 5. The IWSI for couples making a Joint Claim can be conducted as: two separate interviews; or a joint interview. Note: The above also applies if it has been decided to split the IWSI into a Conditionality Interview and a Diagnostic Interview. Preparing for the interview 6. When preparing for an interview involving both parties, the circumstances of each claimant must be considered individually and any specific requirements are to be put in place. 7. A Labour Market Unit is created for each claimant. Conducting the interview 8. All aspects of a IWSIshould be performed for each member of the Joint Claim, as set out in the Action to take at the New Jobseeker s Interview. For example, if one or both of the claim members are aged 18, their individual Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) dates must be considered. 9. When allocating attendance days, consideration must be given to them both attending on the same day, including the day a Personal Issue is to be issued. Backdated Claim 10. If a backdated claim request is made during the Initial Work Search Interview(IWSI), each member of a Joint Claim wishing to backdate their claim must complete a JSA5, backdated claim form. 11. Different action is required, depending on the circumstances. These might be: both members apply for backdating for the same period;

2 both members apply for backdating for different periods; or only one member wishes to backdate their claim. 12. In all cases and for the whole of the backdated period, a check is made of: the joint claim eligibility criteria; and any possible exemptions. Both members apply for backdating for the same period 13. If both members want to backdate their claim for the same period and the Joint Claim criteria is met for this period: 1. Interest for each claimant is registered in Customer Information System (CIS), as are their personal details 2. Nominated post office details are entered in Customer Payment Computer System (CPCS), dialogue CP650: Amend Post Office, for each member. 3. The two members are registered as a joint claim in JSAPS dialogue JA050: Maintain Joint Claim for one of the members, by: inputting the joint claims start date as the TAM date; and inputting the nominated payee [F3] is used to confirm joint claim registration 4. The new claim is registered in JSAPS dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event for one member only 5. JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for each member is accessed and the dates of the backdated claim recorded [END] is used to exit from this dialogue 6. The Labour Market conditions are considered and the subsequent actions are determined by the outcome of that consideration. 7. The appropriate action depends on whether: both member s claim meets the conditions; one member s claim meets the conditions; or there are doubts over both claims. Both claims meet the conditions 1. The decision is recorded in dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details on each member s JSAPS record 2. JSAPS Dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is accessed on the same record as used to register the claim, to input the date of the IWSI 3. The claim form and backdated claim forms are passed to the Benefit Centre If one member s claim meets the conditions 1. The decision is recorded in dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details on the JSAPS record for the member whose claim has been allowed 2. The backdated claim of the other member is referred to a Decision Maker (DM) 3. When the decision is made, it is recorded in dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details on that person s JSAPS record

3 4. Dialogue JA120: Event maintenance on the same record as used to register the claim, is used to record the date of the IWSI 5. The claim form and backdated claim forms are passed to the Benefit Centre If there are doubts over both claims 1. Both backdated claim forms are referred to the Decision Maker 2. When the decision is made, it is recorded in dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details on each JSAPS record 3. Dialogue JA120: Event maintenance on the same record as used to register the claim, is used to record the date of the IWSI 4. The claim form and backdated claim forms are passed to the Benefit Centre Both members apply for backdating for different periods 8. If both members want to backdate their claim for different periods, a check that the Joint Claim criteria is met during periods when the backdating periods overlap is made. 9. If the Joint Claim criteria is met: 1. Customer Information System (CIS) is used to register interest for each member and input personal details 2. The nominated post office details ire input into Customer Payment Computer System (CPCS), dialogue CP650: Amend Post Office for each member 3. JSAPS dialogue JA050: Maintain Joint Claim for one of the members is used to register the two members as a joint claim and: the joint claims start date input as the TAM date and the nominated payee is input [F3] selected to confirm joint claim registration 4. JSAPS dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event for one member only used to register the new claim 5. JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for each member used to record the latest of the two dates of the backdated claim 6. the claimant who wants to claim for the period before this date is informed that their claim will be paid clerically by the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team 10. The Labour Market conditions for each backdated claim are considered and the next set of actions depends on whether: both member s claim meets the conditions; one member s claim meets the conditions; or there are doubts over both claims If both member s claim meets the conditions: 1. The decision is recorded in JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for each member

4 2. Using the same NINO as that used to access dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event, the date of the IWSI is input into JSAPS dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event, to end the action If one member s claim meets the conditions: 1. The decision is recorded in JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for member whose claim has been allowed 2. the backdated claim in doubt is referred to a Decision Maker 3. JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to indicate that action is not yet complete 4. the claim forms are sent to the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team 5. when the decision is made: the decision is input into JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details and input the decision; and JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to record the date of the IWSI to end the action If there are doubts over both claims 1. the backdated claims are referred to a Decision Maker 2. JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to indicate that action is not yet complete 3. the claim forms are sent to the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team 4. when the decision is made: the decision is input into JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details and input the decision; and JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to record the date of the IWSI to end the action One member wishes to backdate their claim 1. If only one member wishes to backdate their claim: 2. access Customer Information System(CIS) and register interest for each member and input personal details 3. access Customer Payment Computer System (CPCS), dialogue CP650: Amend Post Office for that member and input nominated post office details 4. access dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event for that member only to register the new claim 5. access dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for that member and input the dates 11. The Labour Market conditions are considered. 12. If they are met,: the decision is input into JSAPS dialogue JA070 and JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to record the date of the IWSI to end the action 13. If there is a doubt about the Labour Market conditions: 1. The case is referred to a Decision Maker 2. JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to indicate that action is not yet complete

5 3. JSAPS dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event for each claimant is used to record the TAM date as the first date the joint claim starts 4. The claim form is passed to the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team, for them to take clerical action until a decision is made 5. form ES589 is placed on the front of the claim unit, stating that JSAPS dialogue JA470: Attendance must not be updated until receipt of form JSA1C, confirming that the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team completed their clerical action 6. when a decision has been made, the decision is input into JSAPS dialogue JA The JSAPS dialogue JA050: Maintain Joint Claim of the member who has backdated their claim is used to record the start date of the joint claim as the TAM Date 8. JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance is used to record the date of the IWSI to end the action. Joint Claim criteria not satisfied during the backdated periods 14. If the Joint Claim criteria are not satisfied: 1. Customer Information System (CIS) is used to register interest and personal details for each member 2. Customer Payment Computer System (CPCS), dialogue CP650: Amend Post Office for that member and input nominated post office details 3. JSAPS dialogue JA060: Register Claim/Event for each claimant is used to record the TAM date as the first date the joint claim starts 4. JSAPS dialogue JA070: Backdated claim details for each member is accessed and the dates of the backdated claim recorded [END] is used to exit from this dialogue 5. JSAPS dialogue JA050: Maintain Joint Claim for one of the members is used to register the two members as a joint claim, the start date of the joint claim being the TAM Date 6. The date of the IWSI is recorded in JSAPS dialogue JA120: Event maintenance for each member and input the date of the IWSI 7. the claim forms are passed to the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team, for them to take clerical action for the period before the joint claim starts 8. form ES589JP is placed on the front of the claim unit, stating that JSAPS dialogue JA470: Attendance must not be updated until receipt of form JSA1C, confirming that the Jobseeker s Allowance processing team completed their clerical action Consideration of exemption for the backdated claim period 15. An application for exemption for a period of a backdated claim can only be considered where: both members are applying for backdating; and a Joint Claim is appropriate for the backdating period.

6 16. If a backdated claim is made and one member of the Joint Claim does not meet the Labour Market conditions in that period, it should be determined whether they should apply for an exemption. 17. The claimant should be made aware that if an exemption during a backdated claim period is allowed, they will not receive National Insurance credits for this period unless they can receive them via a different benefit. 18. If an exemption is granted after the backdated claim has been disallowed on the Labour Market conditions: details of the decision are recorded in JSAPS dialogue JSA110: Maintain Notepad; and the claimant is informed that any benefit due to the joint claim as a result, will be paid to them clerically.. Rearranging interviews 19. In addition to the other considerations given when a claimant requests that the interview is re-arranged, the following must be considered. 20. One member of the Joint Claim couple may request that the other claimant attends their interview with them. If they later ask for the interview to be rearranged because the other claimant in the claim cannot attend, it should be explained that: it is the claimant who has been identified as due for interview, who must provide the good reason to rearrange the interview; and if they do not attend because the other claimant is not available, this may affect their payment of Jobseeker s Allowance. Fail to Attend the Initial Work Search Interview 21. In addition to the other considerations given if a claimant Fails to Attend their Initial Work Search Interview(IWSI), the following is considered:. One member Fails to Attend 22. Ensure that the claimant who attends their IWSI understands that the claim cannot be finalised and therefore, payment cannot be made, until the other member of the Joint Claim attends their IWSI. Both members Fail to Attend 23. If both members of a Joint Claim fail to attend their Initial Work Search(IWSI) Interview and subsequently attend, the date from which they want to claim is established. 24. If both members state that they no longer wish to claim from the original date: the claim is treated as a totally new claim; a new claim form, signed by both members, will be required; the date of first contact will be the date they are making this re-arranged appointment;

7 this will be used to determine the Treat as Made date for the Joint Claim; and the date from which they now wish to claim is recorded in LMS Conversations. 25. If both members wish to claim from the original date, they will both be required to show good reason for failing to attend the original IWSI Interview. Both members show good reason 26. If both members show good reason for failing to attend, their original Treat as Made date can be retained, provided they both attend their re-arranged IWSI Interview with a properly completed claim form. Neither member shows good reason 27. If neither member can show good reason for failing to attend, their claim cannot be treated as made until they have each attended a re-arranged IWSI Interview with a completed claim form. The interview(s) should be arranged for the earliest available appointment. 28. The Treat as Made date will be either: the date they attend the re-arranged interview with a completed claim form; or if they have separate interviews, the date the first member attends their IWSI Interview, providing their partner also attends their interview. Example E and F contact the jobcentre on Monday; both arrange an Initial Work Search Interview(IWSI) for the following day; they both fail to attend their IWSI appointments; they contact the jobcentre on Wednesday and rearrange their IWSI appointments; E s appointment is on Thursday; F s is on Friday; neither shows good reason for failing to attend their IWSI appointments the day before; they both attend their IWSI s, as arranged; they both want their Joint Claim to start from Monday; because neither has shown good reason for failing to attend their IWSI appointments on Tuesday, the Treat as Made date for the Joint Claim will be Thursday; and both would be required to complete a backdated claim form to claim for the period Monday to Wednesday. One member does not show good reason 29. If one member of the Joint Claim cannot show good reason for failing to attend their IWSI:

8 the Joint Claim cannot go ahead until both members have attended a rearranged interview; an IWSIis arranged for the earliest available appointment; and a new claim form is issued, as this will be a new Joint Claim, starting from the date the claimant attends the re-arranged interview. 30. The Treat as Made date will be the date they attend the re-arranged interview, with a properly completed claim form, signed by both members. 31. The member showing good reason for failing to attend the IWSI is treated as having a single claim from the original date of first contact up to the Treat as Made date of the Joint Claim, provided they attend their rearranged interview. Both members fail to attend but only one wants to claim from the original date 32. If one member of the Joint Claim wishes to claim from the original date and one member wishes to claim from a later date, this is in effect a new Joint Claim. The Treat as Made date of the Joint Claim will be the later date. 33. The member who wishes to claim from the original date: must show good reason for failing to attend their IWSI; if they have good reason for the period between the original date of contact and the contact date following failure to attend, this period will be treated as a single claim as long as they attend the rearranged IWSI with a properly completed claim form; and if they do not have good reason, the Treat as Made date of the Joint Claim will be the date they attend the rearranged IWSI with a properly completed claim form. Example G and H contact the jobcentre on Monday they arrange an IWSI appointment for Tuesday both fail to attend on Wednesday they contact the jobcentre again and arrange an IWSI appointment for Thursday, which they both attend G wants to claim Jobseeker s Allowance from Monday H wants to claim from Wednesday if G shows good reason for failing to attend the original IWSI, the Treat as Made date for the Joint Claim will be Wednesday G can then receive Jobseeker s Allowance as a single person for Monday and Tuesday if G does not show good reason for failing to attend the original IWSI appointment, the Treat as Made date of the Joint Claim will be Thursday H can then receive Jobseeker s Allowance as a single person for Wednesday. Fail to Attend Rapid Reclaim, Interviews or Work Search Review

9 34. In addition to the Failed to Attend actions, both Joint Claim claimants must be advised that, unless one of them has have been granted an exemption, their payment will not be issued until both have made a declaration. 35. If the claimant is part of a Joint Claim, they should be reminded that the other member of the Joint Claim can continue to claim Jobseeker s Allowance as an individual claimant, with the income and capital of both taken into account.