How to claim New Style JSA
There are 5 steps to take to apply for New Style
Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance is sometimes called JSA and it is a benefit for people who are looking for a job.
(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
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.
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
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 when you are older.
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
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.
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
Employment means having a job.
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
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
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
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 and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance is sometimes called ESA. It is a benefit for people who find it harder to get a job because of a disability or a long term health condition.
, and Income Support.
(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
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
.
If you have a
P45
A P45 is a form you get from your employer when you stop working for them.
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
Mandatory means that something must be done.
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
To appeal means saying you want someone to think about a decision again.
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.
Need more information?
If you'd like more information or
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
please contact our
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.
Frequently asked questions about New Style Jobseeker's Allowance applications
Should I apply for JSA or New Style JSA?
You can not apply for income-related JSA, also known as JSA.
The information on this page tells you how to apply for New Style JSA.
I receive Universal Credit. Can I also apply for New Style JSA?
You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time as or instead of New Style JSA. If you get both benefits, your New Style JSA payments will reduce the amount of Universal Credit you receive. You will also get different National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension and help you qualify for other benefits.
How do I 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.
You can apply online on the government’s website or by contacting Jobcentreplus by:
- 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.
I am having trouble getting through to Jobcentreplus. What should I do?
If you phone and can’t get through to an adviser, keep trying.
Maybe phone at a different time of day.
The information on this page is for guidance only. Mencap hold no responsibility for DWP processes, timescales, decisions, and service.