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Changes to jobseeker’s allowance to aid Armed Forces families
DB News: 02/11/2015 - 11:27
The new regulations are a result of a combined effort from Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who worked together to create the policy change.
The new plans will see spouses, civil partners and their dependants aged up to 21 returning to the UK after accompanying service personnel working abroad exempt from the rule which requires them to be a UK resident for three months before they are eligible to claim income-based JSA.
The Habitual Residence Test allows people who have been living away with armed forces (AF) personnel to demonstrate they have strong ties to the country before they claim benefits.
The new plans reflect the recognition that AF families often find it harder to find work as a result of changing locations, when accompanying AF personnel abroad.
Fallon said: “Being posted abroad, often at short notice, is one of the many sacrifices our armed forces are prepared to make to keep us safe. When that happens it doesn’t just affect them, but their families too. So it is absolutely right that we do more to help to smooth any challenges they face when they return to the UK.”
Duncan Smith said: “We owe our Armed Forces a huge debt of gratitude for the service they have shown to this country, which is why we are committed to doing everything we can to help their families find work and make sure they get all the benefits they are entitled to.
“There are up to 10,000 spouses currently overseas, and up to 2,000 return to the UK each year. The change will also apply to children who accompany service personnel abroad but return to the UK as young adults.”
