Jobcentres: Travel

(asked on 13th April 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of his Department introducing a (a) maximum distance of travel criterion for jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus claimants and (b) cap on the costs of travel incurred by claimants on commuting to and from jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus appointments.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 24th April 2017

We already have the flexibility to support claimants who are required to attend regular Jobcentre Plus appointments.

Alternative arrangements can be made for claimants who live more than one hour away from their nearest Jobcentre Plus office using public transport and for journeys which result in an absence from home of four hours or more. In these circumstances claimants can engage with us through digital or telephony channels or exceptionally by post for Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants.

For claimants required to look for and be available for work, if an appointment falls outside of their normal fortnightly attendance cycle, travel expenses can be refunded. Jobseekers who have been claiming Universal Credit or Jobseekers Allowance for more than 13 weeks can also apply for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card which halves the cost of pay as you go bus fares.

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