Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
How it works
You can apply for ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you’re looking for work.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
You cannot apply for contribution-based or income-based JSA anymore. If you’re currently getting contribution-based or income-based JSA, you’ll keep getting payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.
What you need to do
- Check you’re eligible.
- Make a claim for ‘new style’ JSA and attend a phone interview with your local Jobcentre Plus office.
- Keep to your agreement to look for work. This agreement is called a ‘Claimant Commitment’ and you will create it at your phone interview.
Your JSA payments will be stopped if you do not keep to your agreement to look for work and cannot give a good reason.
Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit. If you are, you could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of ‘new style’ JSA.
What you’ll get
There’s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you’re entitled to depends on your age.
Use a benefits calculator to check how much JSA you can get, and how your other benefits will be affected.
AgeJSA weekly amountUp to 24up to £61.0525 or overup to £77.00
How you’re paid
All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Your first payment
You may have to wait up to 7 days after applying for your JSA to start, and up to 2 weeks after that to get your first payment.
Your first payment may not be for the full amount.
After your first payment
Payments will usually be made every 2 weeks and they will be the full amount.
If you’re moving to Universal Credit from income-based JSA
If your income-based JSA claim is ending because you’re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you’ll automatically continue to get the amount of JSA you currently receive, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll normally get this for 2 weeks, starting from the date of your new claim.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you telling you how this works.
You do not need to pay this money back, and it will not affect the amount of Universal Credit you get.
Eligibility
To be eligible for ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) you’ll need to have both:
- worked as an employee
- paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years (National Insurance credits can also count)
You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.
You’ll also need to:
- be 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 or 17 - contact Jobcentre Plus for advice)
- be under the State Pension age
- not be in full-time education
- be available for work
- not be working at the moment, or be working less than 16 hours per week on average
- not have an illness or disability which stops you from working
- live in England, Scotland or Wales
While you receive JSA, you’ll need to take reasonable steps to look for work as agreed with your work coach. You must still follow the guidance on working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).
Your savings and your partner’s income and savings will not affect your claim.
You can get ‘new style’ JSA for up to 182 days (about 6 months). After this you can talk to your work coach about your options.
Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit. If you are, you could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of ‘new style’ JSA.
How it works
You can apply for ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you’re looking for work.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
You cannot apply for contribution-based or income-based JSA anymore. If you’re currently getting contribution-based or income-based JSA, you’ll keep getting payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.
What you need to do
- Check you’re eligible.
- Make a claim for ‘new style’ JSA and attend a phone interview with your local Jobcentre Plus office.
- Keep to your agreement to look for work. This agreement is called a ‘Claimant Commitment’ and you will create it at your phone interview.
Your JSA payments will be stopped if you do not keep to your agreement to look for work and cannot give a good reason.
Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit. If you are, you could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of ‘new style’ JSA.
What you’ll get
There’s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you’re entitled to depends on your age.
Use a benefits calculator to check how much JSA you can get, and how your other benefits will be affected.
How you’re paid
All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Your first payment
You may have to wait up to 7 days after applying for your JSA to start, and up to 2 weeks after that to get your first payment.
Your first payment may not be for the full amount.
After your first payment
Payments will usually be made every 2 weeks and they will be the full amount.
If you’re moving to Universal Credit from income-based JSA
If your income-based JSA claim is ending because you’re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you’ll automatically continue to get the amount of JSA you currently receive, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll normally get this for 2 weeks, starting from the date of your new claim.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you telling you how this works.
You do not need to pay this money back, and it will not affect the amount of Universal Credit you get.
