Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

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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

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.

There are different eligibility rules if you’re in Northern Ireland.

You must also:

  • be 18 or over
  • be under the State Pension age
  • be in Great Britain
  • not be working 16 or more hours per week

You will not be eligible if you’re involved in a disagreement with your employer about employment-related issues (a ‘trade dispute’).

You will not be eligible if you have an illness or disability which stops you from working. Check if you can get Employment and Support Allowance instead.

Your savings and your partner’s savings will not affect your claim.

Your National Insurance contributions

To be eligible you must usually have made Class 1 National Insurance contributions for the previous 2 tax years. National Insurance credits can count for one of these years if you did not pay National Insurance contributions.

Example

If you apply for JSA on or before 3 January 2026, you must have paid or been credited with National Insurance in the tax years:

  • 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024
  • 6 April 2022 to 5 April 2023

If you apply for JSA on or after 4 January 2026, you must have paid or been credited with National Insurance in the tax years:

  • 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025
  • 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024

You might be eligible based on contributions from different tax years if, during the previous 2 tax years, you have:

  • claimed JSA, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carer’s Allowance, Maternity Allowance or Carer Support Payment
  • lived abroad with your partner who is serving in the armed forces

If you work

You cannot usually get New Style JSA if you work 16 or more hours per week.

Your earnings can reduce the amount of New Style JSA you get.

Check what you need to tell your work coach if you or your partner do any work while you’re getting New Style JSA.

If you’re in education

If you’re studying part-time you may be eligible for JSA.

If you’re studying full-time, you may be eligible if all of the following apply:

  • the qualification you’re studying for is at Level 4 or below
  • you do not get a maintenance loan, grant or bursary for the qualification you’re studying
  • you can meet the work-related requirements agreed with your work coach

Claiming Universal Credit and New Style JSA

You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of New Style JSA.

If you get both benefits, your New Style JSA payments:

  • count as income when claiming Universal Credit
  • will reduce the amount of Universal Credit you receive

Your New Style JSA will usually be paid more regularly than Universal Credit. You’ll also get different National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension and help you qualify for other benefits.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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