What is Job Seeker's Allowance?
Jobseeker's Allowance Jobseeker's Allowance is sometimes called JSA and it is a benefit for people who are looking for a job. (JSA) is a benefit for people who are looking for a job.
If you receive JSA you will usually be paid every 2 weeks.
You can receive:
- up to £58.90 if you are aged 24 or younger
- up to £74.35 if you are aged 25 or older
- up to £116.80 if you are in a couple (both aged over 18).
The amount of money you get depends on things like your age, income and savings.
Use this benefits calculator to see how much JSA you could get and how it might affect other benefits you get.
Types of JSA
There are 3 types of JSA, they are called:
- 'new style' JSA
- contribution-based JSA
- income-based JSA.
The type of JSA you get depends on your circumstances.
We have explained each of these in detail in the sections below. Click on the name of each type of JSA to reveal more information about it.
'New style' JSA
To get ‘new style’ JSA you need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance National Insurance is a type of tax Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like income tax Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools. , VAT VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work. to pay for things like schools and hospitals. and council tax Council A council is also called a local authority A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. Tax is the money that people pay to the council A council is also called a local authority A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . . It is money that is taken out of the money you earn each month. You pay National Insurance so that you can get a pension A pension is money you get when you are older to pay for the things you need. You can pay money into your pension when you are working so there is more money for when you are older. when you are older. contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. (National Insurance credits can also count).
Class 1 contributions are made when you earn more than £183 a week and are under State Pension age.
You also need to:
- be aged 18 or over
- be under the State Pension age
- not be in full-time education Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
- be available for work
- not be working at the moment (or be working less than 16 hours per week)
- not have an illness or disability which stops you from working
- live in England, Scotland or Wales
- have the right to work in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom is also called the UK. It includes the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. .
You also need to take steps to look for work.
If you are in a couple, 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).
Contribution-based JSA
You can only apply for contribution-based JSA if you get the severe disability premium (or you are entitled to it) or you have got it within the last month and are still eligible for it.
You also need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. (National Insurance credits can also count.)
Class 1 contributions are made when you earn more than £183 a week and are under State Pension age.
You also need to:
- be aged 18 or over
- be under the State Pension age
- not be in full-time education
- be available to work
- not be working at the moment (or be working less than 16 hours per week)
- not have an illness or disability which stops you from working
- live in England, Scotland or Wales
- have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
You also need to take steps to look for work.
If you are in a couple, your partner’s income and savings will not affect your claim.
You can get contribution-based JSA for up to 182 days (about 6 months).
Income-based JSA
Your employment Employment means having a job. in the last 2 to 3 years does not affect your eligibility for income-based JSA.
You can only apply for contribution-based JSA if you get the severe disability premium (or you are entitled to it) or you have got it within the last month and are still eligible for it.
You’ll also need to:
- be aged 18 or over
- be under the State Pension age
- not be in full-time education
- be in England, Scotland or Wales
- be available for work
- not be working (or be working on average less than 16 hours per week)
- not have an illness or disability which stops you from working
- be single, or have a partner who works for less than 24 hours a week on average
- have £16,000 or less in savings (including your partner’s savings).
You also need to take steps to look for work.
How to apply for JSA
Applying for 'new style' JSA
You can apply for 'new style' JSA online on the GOV.uk website A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube. .
To apply you will 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 contact details and dates)
- private pension statement letter.
Applying for contribution or income-based JSA
You can apply for contribution or income-based JSA by phoning Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.
If you are applying for income-based JSA, and you and your partner are not responsible for a child, you must apply with your partner (this is called making a 'joint claim').
Challenging a decision about JSA
You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for a ‘ mandatory Mandatory means that something must be done. reconsideration’.
You must do this within a month of receiving the letter that told you that you had been turned down. If they do not change their decision, then you can appeal To appeal means saying you want someone to think about a decision again. .
A tribunal will decide whether to change the decision. More information is available from the government's website, GOV.uk
Try to get an adviser to help you with your appeal. You can find advisers in your local area.
Useful resources
We've created some useful factsheets and precedent letters (which are designed to address complex legal situations) to help you know your rights Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school. and when to get advice about a problem.
You can access these on our Information and advice resources page.
If you need advice on completing a letter, please contact the Learning Disability Helpline.
How to get the support you need
Contact the Learning Disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. Helpline, our advice and support line, for guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well. and information about what support we can offer you.
Or why not take a look at our online community A community is the people and places in an area. ? This is a place for parents and family carers of people with a learning disability to share experiences, advice and support.