The Calculation of Contribution Based JSA for Temporary Workers
| Authority | Treasury |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2024-06-12 |
| Outcome | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| Outcome date | 2024-07-08 |
| Case ID | 3915409 |
Summary
The requester asked for details on how temporary earnings affect Contribution Based Job Seekers Allowance eligibility and calculation periods. The Treasury refused to provide new information, citing that the relevant rules are already publicly accessible in existing legislation and guides.
Key Facts
- The request was refused under section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 because the information is reasonably accessible to the public.
- The Jobseekers Act 1995 and Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996 contain the rules governing earnings and eligibility.
- Specific sections cited include 4(1)(b) and 12 of the Act, and Regulations 52, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, and 99.
- Earnings received after claiming Jobseeker's Allowance must be declared to the Social Security Division as they may affect benefit amounts.
- Further guidance is available in the Benefits Information Guide on pages 48-56.
Data Disclosed
- 3915409
- 2024-06-12
- 2024-07-08
- 1 July 2024
- Jobseekers Act 1995
- Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996
- Section 4(1)(b)
- Section 12
- Regulations 52, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99
- pages 48-56
- 685656
- Freedom of Information Act 2015
Exemptions Cited
- Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible to the applicant)
Original Request
A person who qualifies for contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance takes on occasional temporary jobs while actively searching for a permanent roles. During his periods of temporary employment, he opts out of Job Seekers Allowance. And during the periods between jobs, he signs back up for the allowance. How, precisely, does earning money from a temporary job, both before and after signing up for job seekers allowance, impact an individual's eligibility for JSA payments? Is there a designated period of time, either before or after registering for Job Seekers Allowance, in which any income earned by the individual will be subtracted from their JSA benefit? And if so, what specifically determines the length of these time frames?"
Data Tables (1)
Full Response Text
Freedom of Information
Seyrsnys Fysseree
The Treasury
Government Office,
Douglas
Isle of Man, IM1 3PU
Telephone: (01624) 685605 Email: FOI.Treasury@gov.im
Government Website: www.gov.im
Our ref: 3915409 1 July 2024
Dear ###,
We write further to your request, received 12 June 2024, which states:
"A person who qualifies for contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance takes on
occasional temporary jobs while actively searching for a permanent roles.
During his periods of temporary employment, he opts out of Job Seekers Allowance.
And during the periods between jobs, he signs back up for the allowance.
How, precisely, does earning money from a temporary job, both before and after
signing up for job seekers allowance, impact an individual's eligibility for JSA
payments?
Is there a designated period of time, either before or after registering for Job Seekers
Allowance, in which any income earned by the individual will be subtracted from their
JSA benefit? And if so, what specifically determines the length of these time frames?""
Our response to your request is as follows:
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. All of the information that you have requested is available online in the Jobseekers Act 1995 and the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996, as they are applied to the Island.
The Social Security Division of the Treasury is responsible for the administration of Jobseeker’s Allowance in accordance with the provisions of the Jobseekers Act 1995 and the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996, as they are applied to the Island. Both the Act and the Regulations are publicly accessible documents which can be found below:
https://www.tynwald.org.im/spfile?file=/links/tls/socsec/ss/JobseekersAct1995.pdf
The relevant Sections are 4(1)(b) and 12
www.tynwald.org.im/spfile?file=/links/tls/socsec/ss/Jobseeker%27sAllowanceRegulatio ns1996.pdf
The relevant Regulations are 52, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98 and 99
To provide advice and assistance, any earnings that are received after claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance must be declared to the Social Security Division as these may affect the amount of benefit that is paid, as prescribed in section 4(1)(b) of the Jobseekers Act 1995.
Also, more information can be found in the Benefits Information Guide pages 48-56:
https://www.gov.im/media/1383327/benefits-information-guide-april- 2024_compressed.pdf
Please note, individuals can request a meeting with the relevant benefits team to discuss their situation/entitlements. Social Security can be contacted as follows:
Email: socialsecurity@gov.im
Phone: 685656
Please quote the reference number 3915409 in any future FoI communications.
Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.
An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;
-
Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
-
Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another
form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.
I will now close your request as of this date.