Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

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Your JSA claim

When you apply to claim JSA, your work coach will make an agreement with you to look for work. This agreement is called a ‘Claimant Commitment’.

Your Claimant Commitment could include:

  • what you need to do to look for work - for example registering with recruitment agencies or 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.

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.

Attending regular appointments

Your work coach will arrange appointments with you every 1 to 2 weeks.

At these appointments, you must show your work coach what you’ve been doing to look for work, for example proof of job applications and interviews.

If you’re a victim of domestic abuse you might be able to get a break of up to 13 weeks from job seeking - speak to your work coach if you need this support.

When payment can be reduced or stopped

Your JSA payments can be reduced or stopped for a period if you do not do something your work coach asks you to do. This is called being ‘sanctioned’. For example, if you:

  • do not take part in an appointment with your work coach
  • do not accept or keep to your agreement to look for work
  • turn down a job or training course
  • do not apply for any jobs you’re told about
  • do not take part in any interviews you’re invited to
  • do not go to any training booked for you or take part in employment schemes

You may also be sanctioned if you:

  • are not available to start work straight away
  • choose to take a pay cut at your current job without a good reason
  • have your pay cut at your current job because of something you did, such as your behaviour
  • leave your last job or training without good reason or because of your behaviour

Contact Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible if any of these apply to you. You may be able to keep your payment if you have good reason.

You’ll be told how long your payment will be reduced or stopped for. It could be for up to 26 weeks (about 6 months).

If you want to know how long your JSA payment could be reduced or stopped for, read part 3 or part 4 of the guidance on JSA sanctions.

If your JSA payment is reduced or stopped

If your payment is reduced or stopped, you should keep looking for work. Your benefit payment could be affected for longer if you do not.

If you disagree with the decision to stop payment, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again - this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

If you disagree with the outcome of the mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

You should continue with any JSA claim until the dispute is settled.

If you claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

You should contact your local council immediately. They’ll tell you what to do to continue getting support.

If your claim is ended

If you get income-based JSA, your claim may be ended if you’re not available for or actively seeking work.

You cannot apply for income-based JSA again. Instead, check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit and eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). You could get both at the same time.

Hardship payments

If you were claiming income-based JSA, you may be able to get a hardship payment if your JSA payments have been stopped. You do not have to pay it back.

A hardship payment is a reduced amount (usually 60%) of your JSA.

If you were claiming New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), you cannot get a hardship payment.

Eligibility

You can get a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or other basic needs for you or your child.

You must be 18 or over.

You’ll have to show that you’ve tried to find the money from somewhere else, such as borrowing from a friend or working extra hours.

How to claim

Speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser or work coach to find out how to claim a hardship payment.

Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
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View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of How to claim New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you're eligible

    1. Check if you're eligible

    You might also be eligible for Universal Credit.

    1. Find out about Universal Credit

  2. Step 2 Make a claim

    1. How to claim

  3. Step 3 Get your payment

    1. How and when you're paid

    If your claim is turned down or you're only eligible for National Insurance credits, you'll get a letter within 2 weeks explaining what to do next.

  4. Step 4 Report any change in your circumstances

    1. Tell Jobcentre Plus about any change in your circumstances

  5. Step 5 Check when you'll stop getting payments

    You'll be told when your payments are about to stop. If your circumstances do not change, this will be after 182 days.

    1. Get support from Jobcentre Plus when your payments stop