State support and coronavirus - a trade union guide (June 2020)

Chapter 4

What is New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)?

[ch 4: page 44]

In the past, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was the main benefit available to people who were unemployed or working only part-time and seeking work, but, for most people, Universal Credit is gradually replacing JSA along with other benefits and tax credits.

However, while older forms of JSA are being phased out, so-called New Style JSA is available for new claimants, and may make sense if you or your partner have savings or your partner has an income. (You can now only apply for the other forms of JSA, contribution-based JSA and income-based JSA, if you either get severe disability premium or you got it within the last month and are still eligible for it.

More detailed information on these forms of JSA is available at https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/eligibility.)


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