Jobseeker's Allowance

Published on: July 18, 2024 Last updated: October 22, 2024 Reading time: 8 minutes

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) can help cover living expenses while you are looking for work. JSA is changing. We explain how.

Written by:

Smantha Downes

Writer

Edited by:

Chris Wheal

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Introduction to Jobseeker's Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid every two weeks if you are out of work and looking for a job. You may also be able to claim JSA if you work less than 16 hours a week.

Types of Jobseeker's Allowance

There are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance.

Income-based JSA is being replaced by Universal Credit.
Contribution-based JSA is now known as New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Contributions-based JSA, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, is based on your National Insurance (NI) contributions. To claim New Style JSA, you will need to have paid – or been credited – enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) in the two to three tax years before you claim. You can check your NI record online.

New Style JSA explained

New Style JSA is paid for up to 182 days.
You may also qualify for Universal Credit
JSA counts as income if you also claim Universal Credit
It is paid every two weeks

What income counts towards New Style JSA?

Only income from earnings count towards qualifying for New Style JSA. It is based on your NI contributions. NI is only charged on earnings and not on other income such as from savings. Your and your partner’s savings and any capital – any assets you own, such as a house – are not taken into account.

Your earnings and pension payments may also affect the amount you may receive. If you take a break from working to care for someone, you should claim Carers Credits. These keep your NI record filled, with no gaps.

You will get Class 1 National Insurance credits while you are claiming JSA. These NI credits help count towards your State Pension and allow you to claim certain other benefits.

Income-based JSA

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance is being replaced by Universal Credit. If you are claiming income-based JSA you will keep getting it until your circumstances change. If your circumstances do change you must let Jobcentre Plus know. You may be able to claim Universal Credit.

You need to demonstrate you are actively looking for work or you may not be able to claim JSA.

Can I work while claiming JSA?

If you work more than 16 hours a week, or your partner starts working 24 hours or more a week, you may not be able claim JSA. Instead, you may get Universal Credit.

Can I claim JSA?

You will need to be over 18 and under 66 to claim JSA. You will also need:

To have been paying Class 1 National Insurance for the last two to three years
To be either unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average
Taking reasonable steps to look for work

If you have an illness or disability that stops you from working, you cannot get New Style JSA. Instead, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance.

How does JSA work?

Can I claim	New Style JSA	Universal Credit
Unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week Have paid/been credited Class 1 NICs in the past two to three years	You can apply even if your partner works, or you have savings of more than £16,000 between you	You can apply if you (and your partner): Have children or housing costs Have £16,000 or less in savings between you. Your partner’s income will be considered as you will be claiming Universal Credit as a couple. If you are claiming JSA it will be included in your income.
Unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week Have not paid/credited Class 1 NI contributions	You are unlikely to get New Style JSA	You can apply if you (and your partner): Have children or housing costs Have £16,000 or less in savings between you. Your partner’s income will be considered as you will be claiming Universal Credit as a couple.
Unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week Have paid/been credited Class 1 NICs in the past two to three years Have more than £16,000 in savings between you and your partner	You can apply as savings do not affect JSA	Savings do affect Universal Credit so you’re unlikely to get this benefit
Unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week Have paid/been credited Class 1 NICs in the past two to three years. Have a working partner Have less than £16,000 in savings between you and your partner	You can apply as your partner’s earnings have no impact on your JSA	You can apply for Universal Credit but your partner’s earnings and your JSA will be counted as income

New Style JSA has no extra payments for children or to cover housing costs. For these you will need to apply for Universal Credit.

How to apply for Jobseeker's Allowance

Before you start your Jobseeker’s Allowance application you will need the following:

Your National Insurance number
Your bank or building society account details
Your employment details for the past six months, including employer contact details and dates you worked with them
A statement if you have a private pension

If you are applying for yourself complete your JSA application online. You will need to contact JobCentre Plus if you are applying on behalf of someone else, or you need help. They will be able to provide braille, large print or audio CD versions of the JSA form.

If you are between 16 and 17 you should contact Jobcentre Plus if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, or the Jobseeker’s Allowance Processing Centre if you live in Northern Ireland.

What happens after you apply?

You should get a confirmation text or email when your application is submitted. After 14 days the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you and will either:

Invite you to an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus office
Tell you your application was unsuccessful and explain why you are not eligible for JSA

What is the Jobseeker's Allowance interview?

An interview at the Jobcentre is part of your application and you will need to attend to claim JSA. If you are applying for both Universal Credit and JSA, you will have only one interview and it will be for Universal Credit.

What is a JSA claimant commitment?

When you go to the JSA interview you will be asked to sign a jobseeker's agreement. This is a 'claimant commitment' and includes details of what work you can do and how you will look for it. You will be interviewed by your work coach, who will help you find work.

What if I cannot make the interview?

You will need to phone the Jobcentre if you cannot attend your JSA interview. Always make a note of the person who takes your call just in case you need to prove you had to arrange a new interview.

How to prepare for your JSA interview

You will need to decide how much you will need to earn, how much you are willing to work for and what type of work you want to apply for. If you have not managed to find work after the first few months of getting JSA, you will have to apply for any jobs, including ones that pay less than you would like.

Work out how much you need to live so you know the wages or salary you should aim for. MoneyHelper’s budgeting tool might help.

Decide where you can travel to for work. You will have to commit to travelling as much as 90 minutes each way to work. Check the cost of public transport if needed. You should also check if you can get help with your travel costs.

If you chose to leave your previous job, you may not be able to claim JSA for a few weeks. If you were made redundant, make sure you bring a letter or statement to confirm this.

How to keep claiming JSA

You will need to treat job hunting as a full-time job. You can get help from your work coach, including help with writing a CV or with highlighting to potential employers any skills or experience you have.

Jobseeker's Allowance – what will I get paid?

The amount of JSA you get will depend on other benefits. You can use a benefits calculator to check.

Age	JSA weekly amount
Up to 24	Up to £71.70
25 or over	Up to £90.50

How will I be paid JSA?

All benefits, pensions and allowances will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account. You may have to wait up to seven days after applying but after that you will be paid every two weeks. Your first payment may not be for the full amount.

JSA FAQs

Is income-based JSA ending?

If you are on income-based JSA, any new claim you make will be for Universal Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will let you know what amount this is.

Can I appeal any decision?

You can challenge a benefit decision. This is called mandatory reconsideration. You can also complain about Jobcentre Plus if you are unhappy with the service you have received.

Summary: the facts about Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a benefit that helps cover the cost of looking for work. JSA is changing:

Contributions-based JSA is now known as New Style JSA
Income-based JSA is being replaced by Universal Credit

To claim JSA you will need to attend an interview and make a commitment to finding a job:

You have to be prepared to travel up to 90 minutes to work
You may get help with travel costs

Before you attend your JSA interview, it is a good idea to work how much you need to earn and what type of work you are prepared to do.