Jobseeker’s Allowance


Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit available to those who are unemployed or working only part-time and seeking work. UC is gradually replacing JSA along with other benefits and tax credits (see Chapter 1). 


There are two types of JSA based on Class 1 National Insurance Contributions: 


• new-style JSA; and 


• contribution-based JSA.


There is also income-based JSA.


Contribution-based JSA is payable for a maximum period of around six months to those who satisfy the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) criteria and other qualifying conditions (see page 36). The amount paid could be affected by any part-time earnings or occupational pension you might be getting, although income or savings do not usually affect how much you get. 


New-style JSA works in the same way as contribution-based JSA. People who live in a UC full service area can apply for it. Those who live elsewhere can only apply if they are already claiming UC, or they claimed UC in the past six months, and their payments ended because of their earnings. A partner’s income or savings won’t affect how much new-style JSA is paid, and it can be claimed at the same time as UC. If both benefits are paid at the same time, the new-style JSA payment is deducted from the UC payment, so claimants are not guaranteed to get any extra money. They must apply for it by phone rather than online.


Income-based JSA is payable to those who do not qualify for contribution-based JSA, or whose eligibility has expired, or who cannot manage on their contribution-based JSA alone. The amount paid is dependent on the claimant’s income and savings.


Who can get it?


To qualify for JSA, you must satisfy all of the conditions below. You must:


• be unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week on average;


• be available for work;


• have signed an agreement to look for work (known as a Claimant Commitment, see page 23);


• be actively seeking employment;


• not have an illness or disability which stops you from working;


• be aged over 18, but under the State Pension Age (see Chapter 6). 


• not be in full-time education (although there are some exceptions for part-time students); and


• live in England, Scotland or Wales — there are different rules for Northern Ireland.


In addition, you must satisfy the specific eligibility conditions for either contribution or income-based JSA.