Single parents, here’s everything you need to know about Jobseeker’s Allowance

Single parents do not have to attend an interview if you have only been given 48 hours notice, as this would be unreasonable to do so due to your caring responsibilities.

You are entitled to seven days’ notice to take account of arranging for childcare. This includes weekends.

You should attend an interview if given the seven days of notice, or your jobseeker’s allowance may be stopped.

Usually, jobseekers who are carers must be ready to start a job if they are given the seven days’ notice.

Single parents can ask for up to 28 days’ notice if it would be unreasonable to start sooner due to caring responsibilities.

You must be willing to start work within 28 days or your jobseeker’s allowance may be stopped.

Usually, jobseekers have to be available to work 40 hours a week, but single parents with a child under 16 can limit the hours they work to below 40 a week to take account of your caring responsibilities.

You must be able to work at least 16 hours a week, and your hours should be agreed with your Jobcentre Plus adviser.

If you limit your hours to less than 40 a week, you should not be penalised if there are no jobs available during those times.

You are still able to restrict your working hours to the times your caring responsibilities allow, even if there isn’t a reasonable chance of finding work within those hours.

If your child is under 13, you only have to work during their normal school hours, but this is in term-time only. You may be expected to work longer hours during school holidays if there is appropriate and affordable childcare available.

This rule does not apply if you are home-educating your children however.

The maximum you can be asked to travel is 90 minutes each way, and Jobcentre Plus should take your health and caring responsibilities into consideration.

Jobcentre Plus should take into account the time it takes to drop your child off and pick them up from school or childcare too.

If Jobcentre Plus agrees that there is no suitable childcare available before or after school hours, you should ask them to include this in your jobseeker’s agreement.

The lack of childcare will need to be taken into account when deciding your travel time and availability for work.

You do not have to take a job or follow an instruction given to you by Jobcentre Plus if there is no affordable or appropriate childcare available.

For example: to go on a training course or attend the jobcentre at short notice

Jobcentre Plus needs to agree that there is no affordable or appropriate childcare for you to use. This might involve considering what proportion of your wages or income would be spent on childcare.

You should make a reasonable effect to find appropriate childcare or your jobseeker’s allowance may be stopped.

If you left a job because there was no appropriate childcare available you should still be able to claim jobseeker’s allowance and your payments should not be stopped.

This is also the case if your childcare was unaffordable. Jobcentre Plus must agree that the childcare costs were too high and may look at what proportion of your wage was spent on childcare.

When making their decision, Jobcentre Plus should also consider whether any childcare that is available is suitable for the needs of your child.

If your child is excluded from school and it is not reasonably possible for you to arrange alternative childcare. Your child must not be in alternative schooling provided by the local education authority.

If you have a parenting order or contract, you can restrict your availability for work as long as it is reasonable, depending on what the order/contract says you need to do.

You are dealing with a death, serious illness or other domestic emergency involving a close relative or friend. This exemption can last between one and eight weeks, depending how long it takes you to deal with the emergency.

You need to look after your child during the school holidays and it would be unreasonable for you to make other arrangements for their care. It is up to Jobcentre Plus to agree that there are no other reasonable arrangements you could make.