Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
How it works
You can apply for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you’re looking for work.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
You cannot apply for income-based JSA any more. If you’re currently getting income-based JSA, you’ll keep getting payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.
You could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of New Style JSA. Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.
What you need to do
-
Make a claim for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and go to an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus office.
-
Keep to your agreement to look for work. This agreement is called a ‘Claimant Commitment’ and you will create it at your interview.
Your JSA payments will be reduced or stopped if you do not keep to your agreement to look for work and cannot give a good reason.
What you’ll get
There’s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you’re entitled to depends on your age.
Use a benefits calculator to check how much JSA you can get, and how your other benefits will be affected.
Age | JSA weekly amount |
---|---|
Up to 24 | up to £71.70 |
25 or over | up to £90.50 |
How you’re paid
All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Your first payment
You may have to wait up to 7 days after applying for your JSA to start, and up to 2 weeks after that to get your first payment.
Your first payment may not be for the full amount.
After your first payment
Payments will usually be made every 2 weeks and they will be the full amount.
If you’re moving to Universal Credit from income-based JSA
If your income-based JSA claim is ending because you’re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you’ll automatically continue to get the amount of JSA you currently receive, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll normally get this for 2 weeks, starting from the date of your new claim.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you telling you how this works.
You do not need to pay this money back, and it will not affect the amount of Universal Credit you get.