§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) under what circumstances someone claiming Jobseeker's Allowance can sign on by post; [145127]
(2) what measures are in place to assist those living in rural areas with essential travel costs on public transport; what plans he has further to assist those living in rural areas with travel costs incurred by travelling to local jobcentres to apply for benefits; and if he will make a statement. [145137]
§ Ms JowellPeople claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) make written declarations each fortnight in support of their claim. The majority attend the Jobcentre to do so, but some jobseekers can send their declarations by post instead. This applies if their door-to-door travelling time to the Jobcentre by local bus would be more than an hour in either direction, or if the bus service would cause them to be away from home for more than four hours in total, or if they have a disability which impairs their mobility. They therefore do not incur travel costs in claiming JSA.
Jobseekers who are required to make their declarations at the Jobcentre may incur some travel costs whether or not they live in a rural area. These costs are not refunded, and there are no plans to change this.