Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is a benefit for unemployed people who are looking for work or who are training. The benefit is made up of a cash payment and / or National Insurance credits. You claim it from your local Jobcentre Plus office.
There are two parts to Jobseeker's Allowance:
- Contributory Jobseeker's Allowance is based on your national insurance contributions and credits in recent years. It lasts for 6 months.
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance depends on your income, savings, age, household and other circumstances.
JSA is a weekly benefit, paid to you every fortnight in arrears. For the first three days of a new claim, you are usually not entitled to any JSA. These are called 'waiting days'. If you have no money, you can ask to claim a Crisis Loan from Jobcentre Plus, while you wait for your first payment.
When you claim JSA, you can also make claims for Housing Benefit (help with your rent) and Council Tax Benefit (help with your council tax) at the same time. If you are a homeowner you may be able to get help with mortgage interest or other housing costs.
Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance?
To get JSA you must meet the basic rules and one of the extra rules. If you are claiming as a couple, there are additional Joint Claim rules.
JSA Basic Rules
You must:
- Be available for work and actively seeking work and willing to enter into a Jobseeker's Agreement.
- Be capable of work. If this is questioned, or you are not sure about whether to go on the sick instead, get advice.
- Be out of work or working less than 16 hours a week
- Be aged 18 or over. Some 16 or 17 year olds can get JSA when seeking work and training, but, if you live in Manchester, you must first attend a Connexions Office in Manchester (external website).
- Be aged under 60 for women, or under 65 for men. Men aged 60-64 can claim Pension Credit without having to sign on as unemployed and get automatic national insurance credits.
- Not be in full time education, but you may be able to claim JSA if you are studying part-time.
- Be habitually resident in the UK, or the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (get advice about this).
- Not have a restricted immigration status - but get advice as there are some exceptions.
JSA Extra Rules
- You need to meet the National Insurance contribution test for Contributory Jobseeker's Allowance, or
- Have income and capital below the levels for Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. In addition, if you have a partner, they must not be working for 24 or more hours a week.
JSA Joint Claims
If you are an unemployed couple without children, with one of you aged 18 to late forties, you will usually have to make a joint claim for Jobseeker's Allowance. You will both have to sign on and meet the conditions in order to get the benefit.
This rule applies to couples who have no dependent children, and one or both of the partners was borne after 28 October 1957 and is 18 or over.
You will not usually have to make a joint claim if one of you is:
- Responsible for a child who normally lives with you, or
- A full-time student, or
- Caring full-time for someone, or
- Disabled, or registered blind, or
- Unable to work because of pregnancy, or
- On a full-time training course in the government's Work Based Training for Young People, or
- Required to attend court.
If you have a joint claim for JSA and either you or your partner breaks the JSA conditions, the other partner will get JSA paid at the single rate. Sanctions can apply.
For more information about JSA including how to claim, follow 'next' below.
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Date Reviewed:
3 June 2009
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