Department for Work and Pensions (9 June 2014)
Please see below the update about consultation on changes to Waiting Days.
On 19 March 2014, the Budget statement included an announcement that the number of waiting days for Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) would increase from three to seven days, subject to Social Security Advisory Committee consultation and parliamentary approval.
From 27 October 2014, the change would apply across Great Britain and Northern Ireland to JSA and ESA claimants at the start of a Job-seeking Period or Period of Limited Capability for Work. Claimants living abroad and claiming ESA would also be affected by this change.
Currently all JSA and ESA benefit claimants serve three calendar waiting days at the start of a Job-seeking Period on JSA or a Period of Limited Capability for Work (LCW) on ESA. The waiting days would apply to both Income-based and Contribution-based benefits.
The rules on exemptions and linking to a previous appropriate benefit period are not changing.