Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Central Freedom of Information Team
[email protected]
Our reference: FoI 1071
Date: 20 April 2016
Dear Cheryl Moy
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 21 March
2016. You asked
You responded with reference numbers – 563 and IR97 to our questions:
'Would you please clarify the following.
Are we correct in thinking that the job centre can not suggest school as
appropriate child care to a home educating parent claiming job seekers
allowance when offered a job?
What age would the job centre expect a parent leave a child alone at home
whilst they go out to work?
When agreeing the hours a home educating parent is able and looking to
work, is the parent able to stipulate suitable hours such as evenings only
(whereas a parent of a schooled child would only be looking for work during
school hours)?'
Would you please confirm the same rules apply to Universal Credits and also
ESA, and if they are different would you please furnish us with a response to
the above questions in relation to Universal Credits and also ESA
Response
Parents who educate their child(ren) at home are treated in the same way as
other parents
There are five basic conditions of entitlement to Universal Credit: to be 18
years or over (with some exceptions); to be under Pension Credit age; to be a
resident of Great Britain; to not be in full-time education (with some
exceptions); and to have accepted a claimant commitment.
All claimants must accept a claimant commitment as a condition of
entitlement. Couples living in the same household make a joint claim for
Universal Credit and each have their own Claimant Commitment.
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim
The rules for Employment and Support Allowance differ from JSA as there is
no requirement for an ESA claimant to be available for, seek or undertake
work.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the
reference number above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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
[email protected] 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.org.uk/Global/contact_us or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
