DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
Annex A
e-mail: freedom-of-info
free
rmation-re
dom-of-info
xxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: VTR???
Our Ref: FOI 3379
21 Septembe DATE
r 2012
Annex A
Dear Paul Gelderd,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request of 31st August 2012.
You requested the following information:
I would like to know if it is mandatory and a requirement of receiving JSA or other similar
benefits that I provide the name and address of my last employer. Equally is it mandatory that I
provide this information when ending a claim? Is the failure to provide this information subject
to any sanction i.e. the removal or suspension of benefits?
If this information is required, why is it required and how will it be used?
Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act allows us to direct you to information which is
already reasonably accessible to you. The Jobseekers Act 1995 is available online at the
following internet address: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/18/contents and the
Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 are available at
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/207/contents/made
Section 19 of the Act states that Jobseeker’s Allowance shall not be payable to a claimant
where they lost their employment through misconduct or left voluntarily without good cause.
Regulation 24 requires a claimant to provide such information about his circumstances as may
be required to determine entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance. This would include details of
their last employer to confirm that Section 19 did not apply. If a claimant refused to provide
this information then Jobseeker’s Allowance could not be awarded as DWP would be unable to
confirm that Jobseeker’s Allowance is payable to the claimant.
There is no requirement to provide information about your employment when ending your
claim.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any
review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk