Travel expenses: Jobcentre interviews

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/492698/response/1189097/attach/html/3/WDTK%20response%202905.pdf.html
DWP Response  

Claimants in the Intensive Work Search regime are required to attend
weekly work search reviews for the first 13 weeks of a new claim.
After the first 13 weeks, 50% of claimants will be seen weekly and 50%
fortnightly. Whilst this should normally be face to face and claimant and
Work Coach can discuss and agree appointment timings, the method of
contact can be tailored to meet a claimant’s individual circumstances.

In addition to support claimants who live in remote areas to engage with us
and satisfy their conditionality requirements, alternative attendance
arrangements can be made using digital or telephone channels.  
Claimants in the Intensive Work Search regime are expected to attend a
minimum of one Work Search Review each fortnight. To support claimants
to attend additional appointments above the minimum requirement,
travelling expenses can be refunded.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact us quoting the
reference number above.

More detail in this FOI..


Travel expenses (Extract from UC Full Service
Guidance)


Mandatory awards for travel
An award for travel expenses must be made when the claimant:-
 attends additional appointments other than the fortnightly work search reviews when
they are allocated to the intensive work search regime. This includes:
o alternate weekly work search review during the first 13 weeks of being allocated
into the Intensive Work Search regime.
o additional attendance during the Youth Obligation Support Programme intensive
activity period
 attends mandatory provision where such costs are not met by the provider
 attends approved non-contracted provision where this is previously agreed with DWP
staff
 participates in:
o Work Trial
o work experience
o sector-based work academy

When an award must not be made
FSF awards for travel expenses must not be made in the following circumstances:
 claimants attending their initial evidence interview or first commitments meeting
 claimants attending training courses, provision or an activity where no formal agreement
is in place
 claimants attending provision where the provider is contracted to, or has agreed to, pay
participant’s travel costs
 claimants attending overseas training courses.

Other circumstances
Aside from the circumstances when an award must be made, the FSF award for travel
payments is discretionary and according to local guidelines and budgets.
FSF travel payments can be made in advance if it removes the barrier of getting to and
sustaining employment.
The funding of overseas travel (other than for job interviews or to attend training courses,
which are not permitted) is only allowed with Service Leader agreement.

How much to award
If it is not possible for claimants to use local or other concessionary public transport passes,
the award must be based on the cost of public transport by the most reasonable / economical
route. If using private transport the award is 25 pence per mile by the mos t direct route.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/498576/response/1211953/attach/html/3/Annex%201%20UCFS%20Travel.pdf.html
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/498576/response/1211953/attach/html/3/Annex%201%20UCFS%20Travel.pdf.htm