Q: Is it permitted to claim unemployment benefits if one is readily able to find work but prefers to stay at home instead?
الجواب حامدًا و مصليًا و منه الصدق و الصواب
A: There are two main unemployment benefits:
· Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
· Income Support (IS).
JSA can only be rightfully claimed by one who is available for, capable and actively seeking work. When an individual makes a claim for JSA the individual is required to attend an interview in which the steps to find work will be mutually agreed. To keep receiving JSA the individual has to attend regular job-search reviews which are usually every two weeks. If the individual’s claim extends to thirteen weeks he/she has to attend a longer review.[1] It is thus clear that JSA allowance is awarded only when an individual can demonstrate that he/she is available for, capable and actively seeking work. Therefore, if one is readily able to find work but opts to stay at home and not actively seek work, it is not permissible to claim JSA even if he/she is able somehow to assure the interviewer that he/she is actively seeking work.
Income Support is mainly received by those working for less than sixteen hours and on what is deemed a low income. However, IS may also be received by lone parents, carers and a few other persons.[2] In the case wherein IS rules do not require the claimant to work or to be actively looking for work it is permissible for one who is readily able to find work and opts not to do so to receive IS.
[1] http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Employedorlookingforwork/DG_10018757
[2] http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708