Assalamu Alaykum Sheikh, To receive unemployment benefit, the jobcentre made me agree on the uk government website to spend 35 hrs searching for work each week, I told them straight that I don't spend 35 hrs and the jobcentre agent said that the agreement is just a formality and to just apply for the jobs that they send me. However, I dont know if this is lying or cheating because it's not the jobcentre that pays me, the government does and I did the agreement on the government website. please can you clarify this for me because I have'nt spent the money I receive in case its haram and I have to return it.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

As long as the labor agent (job center) has told you that spending 35 hours searching for work on the Internet per week is a formality only, then there is nothing wrong with you for acting according to their words and relying upon it, if it is authorized to do so and it is most likely thought that they say the truth.

You have stated to them that you do not spend that time searching for work during the week; therefore, it is hoped that there is no harm on you in benefiting from the unemployment benefit, while striving to seek work and being serious about it.

Once you find work, you should stop taking the unemployment benefit.

Allah Knows best.