How to claim New Style JSA

There are 5 steps to take to apply for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (New Style JSA).

Before following these steps, please read our New Style Jobseeker's Allowance page to find out more about this government benefit.

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for New Style JSA 

To get New Style JSA you must:  

  • live in the UK  
  • be 18 or over (you can sometimes get New Style JSA if you are 16 or 17)  
  • be under the state pension age    
  • not be working, or work less than 16 hours per week on average  
  • be able to start work if you find a job.  

You must have been an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance or had National Insurance credits in the last 2 to 3 years.  

You must not:  

  • have a disability or health condition that stops you from working  
  • be in full–time education  

 

Step 2: Make sure you have the right information to hand

You will need:

  • your name, address and telephone number  
  • your date of birth  
  • your National Insurance number if you have one (you can find this on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code  
  • your employment details for the past 6 months, including employer contact details and the dates you worked with them
  • a statement if you receive any money from a pension or an annuity.

Step 3: Get someone to help you if you want 

If you want some help to apply for New Style JSA, you can:  

  • ask someone you trust to help you    
  • ask a local organisation who helps people with their benefits   

Step 4: Apply for New Style JSA

You can apply for New Style JSA online or by phone.  

If you are under 18, are an appointee applying on behalf of someone, or need help to claim New Style JSA, you must apply for New Style JSA by phone.  

Online  

You can apply online on the government’s website.

By phone  

If you want to claim by phone, contact Jobcentreplus.  

  • Phone: 0800 055 6688  
  • Textphone:  0800 023 4888
  • Relay UK:  18001 then 0800 055 6688. 
    Relay UK helps people who cannot hear or speak on the phone.  

You can contact Jobcentreplus Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.  

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to claim New Style JSA by phone, contact the Jobseeker’s Allowance Processing Centre

Step 5: Getting your New Style Jobseekers Allowance decision

After you have applied for New Style JSA, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you within 14 days.  

They will invite you to a meeting at your local Jobcentreplus or tell you that you cannot get New Style JSA.

You have to attend the meeting, but you can take someone with you if you need help.    

You will have to take some photo ID, proof of address and additional ID with you to the meeting.  See the full list of accepted photo ID, proof of address and additional ID on the government’s website .  

If you have a P45 you should take this to the meeting.  You can also use this as ID.

Before you are paid New Style JSA, you’ll need to accept an agreement called a ‘claimant commitment’. This is a record of what you agree to do to be paid your New Style JSA money.   Your claimant commitment might include:

  • what you will do to look for work    
  • how many hours you will look for work each week.    

What you agree to do depends on:    

  • if you have a disability or health condition  
  • if you care for someone  
  • how much help you need to get work or earn more money.

You must do everything you agree to in your claimant commitment or your payment could be reduced or stopped. This is called a sanction.  

After your meeting at your local Jobcentreplus, the DWP will write to you.  You will be told whether your claim for New Style JSA has been successful.

If your claim has been successful, the letter will tell you how much money you will get.  You will have to go to meetings at your local Jobcentreplus every 1 to 2 weeks and prove what you have done to look for work.  

If your claim has not been successful, the letter will tell you why.  You will not have to do the things in your claimant commitment.

Unsuccessful New Style Jobseekers Allowance applications  

If your application for New Style JSA is unsuccessful or you are unhappy with the outcome, you should contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) within one month of the date of decision to request a mandatory reconsideration.    

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration over the phone, but we recommend that you do it in writing, so you have a record of your request.  If you need more time, contact the DWP and ask for an extension.    

If your mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, you have one month from the date of the mandatory reconsideration decision letter to appeal the decision. The appeal will be looked at by an independent tribunal.  

You can not ask for a mandatory reconsideration about some decisions.  Your decision letter will tell you if this applies to you.  If the decision about your benefit claim can not be reconsidered and you do not agree with it, you should go straight to the appeal stage.    

You can find information to help you ask for a mandatory reconsideration and request an appeal on the government's website.

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Need more information?

If you'd like more information or guidance please contact our Learning Disability Helpline.

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Frequently asked questions about New Style Jobseeker's Allowance applications

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The information on this page is for guidance only. Mencap hold no responsibility for DWP processes, timescales, decisions, and service.