Research and analysis

Jobseeker's Allowance: weekly work search review trial

This report presents findings from a randomised control trial of weekly work search reviews for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) claimants.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
5 July 2018

Documents

Weekly work search review trial

Ref: ISBN 978-1-78425-986-0, Ad hoc research report no. 59

PDF, 513 KB, 21 pages

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Details

The randomised control trial evaluated weekly, rather than fortnightly, work search reviews for JSA claimants. The fieldwork ran from September 2014 to February 2015 with JSA claimants in the first 13 weeks of their claim. Participants were followed for one year.

We used a randomised control trial to help us understand:

  • whether claimants move off benefit and into work faster with a weekly work search review compared to a fortnightly review
  • whether there are any characteristics of claimants that can be used to determine who will respond more strongly to this change

Departmental response

Work coaches are a vital part of our support for claimants. This evidence will help us to understand which claimants benefit from different interventions so we can ensure an effective service for everyone.

As a result of the findings, from October 2016 JSA legacy claimants and Universal Credit claimants were moved to weekly work search reviews for the first 13 weeks of their claim.

Published 5 July 2018

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