PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseekers' Allowance (15 October 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Jobcentre staff receive training to identify when a new claimant would be entitled to (a) new-style employment and support allowance and (b) new-style jobseeker's allowance.

Asked by:
Mark Tami (Labour)

The Department is committed to providing the best possible support for all claimants irrespective of which benefit they are in receipt of, or in the process of claiming.

Jobcentre staff undergo a comprehensive learning journey designed to equip them with the tools, skills and behaviours required to provide a high quality service to all claimants. All Work Coaches within Jobcentres receive specific training regarding identifying when new style Employment and Support Allowance and new style Jobseekers Allowance are appropriate, and have the knowledge and skills to support claimants throughout the process.

More widely, the Department provides benefit eligibility information to help people make decisions surrounding benefits to which they may be entitled, along with details about how to claim them. This is available through Jobcentre Plus offices and via the GOV.UK website.

Answered by:
Justin Tomlinson (Conservative)
21 October 2019