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 have the right to work in the UK You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work. You must still follow the guidance on working safely during coronavirus . 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 . If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) You can claim JSA if you cannot work but you’re still getting paid by your employer (‘on furlough’) or through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Both of the following must also apply: you usually work less than 16 hours a week you meet the other eligibility requirements for JSA

Apply for 'new style' JSA

Before you apply for ‘new style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance ( JSA ), check if you’re eligible . There is a different process in Northern Ireland . To apply, you’ll need your: National Insurance number bank or building society account details (or those of a family member or trusted friend) employment details for the past 6 months, including employer contact details and dates you worked with them private pension statement letter To reclaim you need to apply again, even if your details have not changed. Backdating your claim When you apply, you can ask for your claim to be backdated by up to 3 months if you were not able to claim sooner. If you want to backdate your claim, you’ll need: the date you want your claim to start from the reason your claim was delayed Your claim may not be backdated if you do not have a good reason for the delay in making your claim. Reasons for backdating your claim could include: you had a family bereavement - a partner, parent, child, brother or sister died you were given the wrong advice that you could not get JSA Apply online You cannot apply online if you’re under 18. Apply for new style JSA If you cannot apply online If you need help applying or you’re aged 16 to 17, contact Jobcentre Plus . After you make your claim If you applied online, you’ll get a text to confirm that your application has been submitted. You do not need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). DWP will make an appointment to talk to you, either over the phone or face-to-face. If you disagree with a decision You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration. Make a complaint You can complain about Jobcentre Plus if you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received.

After you claim JSA , a work coach will help you make a plan to find a job. If you’ve signed an agreement to look for work (‘Claimant Commitment’) You and your work coach may have an agreement about: what you need to do to look for work - for example registering with recruitment agencies, writing a CV how many hours you need to spend looking for work each week You should continue to do all the things you have agreed to do if you can do them safely. Finding a job You can search and apply for work using the ‘Find a job’ service . You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change , for example you start working or your income changes. If you find a job Contact Jobcentre Plus to end your JSA claim if you find a job.

If you’re getting contribution-based or income-based JSA

As long as you’re still eligible, you’ll keep getting contribution-based or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) until either: your circumstances change your claim for contribution-based JSA ends (you can get it for up to 182 days) Jobcentre Plus will talk to you about your options. If you’re eligible you might be able to claim Universal Credit . You need to take reasonable steps to look for work while getting JSA. You must still follow the guidance on working safely during coronavirus . You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change , for example you start working or your income changes. Working hours and income If you start working more than 16 hours a week, you might stop being eligible for JSA. You might stop being eligible for income-based JSA if: your partner starts working 24 hours or more a week, or increases their hours to 16 hours or more a week your savings increase to £16,000 or more (including your partner’s savings) You cannot apply for contribution-based or income-based JSA anymore. Instead, check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit and ‘new style’ JSA . You could get both at the same time.

Report a change of circumstances

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change, for example you start working or your income changes. This might affect how much you get. Volunteering will not normally affect your JSA but you should report it before you start. Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change straight away. A change of circumstance can include: starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship changes to your or your partner’s income or working hours moving house changing your name people moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner or a child) changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets changes to your pension, savings, investments or property changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity) changing your doctor any changes to your medical condition or disability going into hospital or a care home or sheltered accommodation going abroad for any length of time You must tell Jobcentre Plus if you cannot work but you’re still getting paid by your employer (‘on furlough’) or you’ve been given a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Call the JSA helpline if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change. You may be prosecuted or have to pay a £50 penalty if you give wrong or incomplete information, or do not report changes straight away. How to report You can report a change of circumstances by: calling the JSA helpline writing to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your JSA - the address is on the letters you get about your JSA JSA and new style JSA helpline Telephone: 0800 169 0310 Textphone: 0800 169 0314 Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310 Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users - check you can use the service Welsh language: 0800 328 1744 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Find out about call charges If you’re claiming Universal Credit as well as new style JSA , you must report changes to both services. If you’ve been paid too much If you do not report a change straight away or give wrong or incomplete information, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to pay some of the money back .

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

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make an appointment to talk to you, either over the phone or face-to-face.

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.

Age	JSA weekly amount
Up to 24	up to £58.90
25 or over	up to £74.35

How you’re paid

Payments are usually made every 2 weeks.

All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

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.

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