How to apply for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (New Style JSA)
How to apply for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (New Style JSA)
What is New Style Jobseekers Allowance (New Style JSA)?
New Style JSA is the name of a benefit that some people who are looking for work can get.
The money is to help to pay for your living costs when you are looking for work. Living costs include things like
rent
Rent is the money that you pay to live in your home when you have a
tenancy agreement
A Tenancy agreement is where the person renting a house, and the person who owns the house, agree on things like how much rent to pay, who will mend things like the cooker if they go wrong, and whether you are allowed pets.
. Your home belongs to a
landlord
A landlord is the owner of a property which they rent out to tenants. They can be a
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.
, a housing association, or an individual person.
, but you have a right to live there as long as you follow the rules that are in your tenancy agreement.
, food and bills.
Some people get a benefit called income-related Jobseekers Allowance.
You can not make a new claim for income-related Jobseekers Allowance.
This Easy Read tells you how to apply for New Style JSA
Step 1: Check that you can get New Style JSA
To see if you could get New Style JSA, read our What is New Style Jobseekers Allowance? Easy Read page.
Step 2: Make sure you have everything you will need
Before you apply for New Style JSA, you will need to know:
- your name, address and telephone number
- your date of birth
- your
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. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council Tax is the money that people pay to the council. 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.
number if you have one
You can find your National Insurance number on any letters you have had about your tax, pensions or benefits.
- your bank or building society account number and sort code
- information about your work in the last 6 months.
For example, the name of the person or company you worked for, their contact details and the dates you worked for them.
If you get any money from a pension, you will need to have a letter which shows how much money you have been paid from the pension.
Step 3: Apply for New Style JSA
You can apply for New Style JSA online or by phone.
If you want to claim by phone, contact Jobcentre Plus:
- Phone: 0800 055 6688
- Textphone: 0800 023 4888
- Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 055 6688
Relay UK is for people who cannot hear or speak on the phone.
You can contact Jobcentre Plus Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.
What happens after you have applied for New Style JSA?
After you apply for New Style JSA,
the Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is sometimes called the DWP. It is part of the government and manages payments and benefits like Universal Credit,
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability or health condition get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Some people who used to get
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by a benefit called Personal
Independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
Payment (PIP).
(DLA) now get PIP instead.
,
Employment
Employment means having a job.
and Support Allowance, and Income Support.
(DWP) will contact you in the next 2 weeks.
They will:
- invite you to a meeting at your local Jobcentreplus
or
- tell you that you cannot get New Style JSA.
To find out what will happen at the meeting at your local Jobcentreplus, read our New Style Jobseekers Allowance Jobcentreplus meeting Easy Read page.
This
Easy Read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
was first published in April 2024.