December 13, 2013 10.59 am This story is over 122 months old

Lincoln jobseekers must make new commitment or lose benefits

Claimant Commitment: New Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants will need to sign a commitment and provide proof they are meeting requirements.

New Lincoln claimants for Jobseeker’s Allowance will have to commit to meet standardised requirements as part of a new Claimant Commitment scheme.

Presently, there are almost 4,000 people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Lincoln.

The new Department for Work & Pensions Claimant Commitment will set out fully what claimants need to do in order to receive state support, builds on current support and provides clear information about the consequences of failing to meet requirements.

Claimants will have to provide evidence that they have met set requirements. DWP say those who fail to do so without good reason risk losing their benefits.

Work coaches will help claimants set out a detailed statement of what they will do to find work using a new personal work plan. They will also renew their Claimant Commitment on a regular basis.

The scheme is being introduced in around 100 Jobcentres a month, with Lincoln being one of the first, until it is in place across the country by spring 2014.

Jobcentre Plus district manager in Lincolnshire, Graham Sheppard, said: “If you start claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, and the Claimant Commitment is in your area, you will have a discussion with your Work Coach.

“It’s during that discussion you will agree what activities you will do, and the training and support you require to get into work as quickly as possible. We will then need to see evidence that those tasks are being completed.”

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “The Claimant Commitment marks the start of a redefinition of the relationship between the welfare state and claimants.

“In return for state support, we expect claimants to do all they can to meet their responsibilities to return to work.”