Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) provides financial support for people who are actively looking for work. New Style JSA is contribution-based — it depends on your National Insurance record rather than your income or savings. This means your partner's earnings and any savings you have do not affect eligibility.

To qualify for New Style JSA, you typically need to be aged 18 to State Pension age, not working or working fewer than 16 hours per week, available for and actively seeking work, and have paid sufficient Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the 2 to 3 tax years before your claim. You are expected to attend regular appointments at the Jobcentre and follow a Claimant Commitment setting out the steps you will take to find work.

New Style JSA is paid at up to £67.20 per week if you are under 25, or up to £84.80 per week if you are 25 or over. It is payable for up to 182 days (approximately 6 months). After this period, if you have not found work, you may still be eligible for Universal Credit which has no time limit.

You can claim New Style JSA alongside Universal Credit. While the JSA payment may reduce your Universal Credit, having both claims provides additional National Insurance credits, which can protect your State Pension entitlement and future contributory benefit eligibility. If your health deteriorates while claiming JSA, you can move to Employment and Support Allowance instead.