Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a U.K. benefit that helps people who are unemployed and actively looking for work. It is a conditions-based payment: claimants must meet ongoing requirements to receive and keep the allowance.
Key points
- Available to people living in England, Scotland, or Wales who have the right to live and work in the U.K.
- Claimants must be available for work, actively seeking employment, and usually be 18 or over (some 16–17 year-olds may qualify). They must not be full-time students.
- Claimants cannot be working more than 16 hours per week to qualify.
- Claimants normally must sign on at Jobcentre Plus every two weeks so their job-search activity can be assessed.
How JSA works
- JSA is conditional: recipients must provide ongoing evidence that they are looking for work and are willing to accept suitable offers.
- If previously employed, applicants may need to provide a P45 showing prior pay and tax details.
- Benefits can be stopped if a claimant fails to meet job-search requirements, misses interviews, refuses reasonable offers of employment or training, or otherwise breaches conditions.
Eligibility
Typical eligibility criteria include:
* Right to live and work in the U.K. and residence in England, Scotland, or Wales.
* Under state pension age and generally at least 18 (exceptions exist).
* Available and actively seeking full-time work.
* Not working more than 16 hours per week.
* Not a full-time student.
* Required to attend regular meetings at a Jobcentre as part of the claimant commitment.
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Types of JSA
There are three main types:
- New-style JSA
- For people who have paid sufficient Class 1 National Insurance contributions (typically from work in the previous two to three years).
- Payments are not affected by a partner’s income or savings.
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Payments generally last for a limited period (commonly six months).
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Contribution-based JSA
- Based on having paid the required National Insurance contributions.
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Eligibility depends on recent Class 1 National Insurance history.
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Income-based JSA
- Means-tested: for people who have not paid enough National Insurance contributions in recent years.
- Claimants must have £16,000 or less in savings (including partner’s savings).
- A partner’s working hours can affect eligibility (e.g., partner working more than 24 hours per week may affect entitlement).
How much you can get
Rates vary by age and individual circumstances. Typical weekly amounts cited:
* Up to £67.20 per week for ages 18–24.
* Up to £84.80 per week for ages 25 and over.
The exact entitlement depends on the type of JSA and personal circumstances.
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Applying and tools
- You must register with Jobcentre Plus to claim JSA (or to claim Universal Credit for jobseeker support).
- A JSA calculator is available on the U.K. government website to estimate eligibility and payment amounts.
Common reasons benefits are stopped
- Not attending Jobcentre appointments or interviews.
- Failing to actively look for work or refusing suitable job or training offers.
- Working more than the permitted hours.
- Not complying with the claimant commitment.
Takeaway
JSA provides temporary financial support for people actively seeking work in the U.K. Eligibility depends on residence, age, employment status, National Insurance contribution history, and meeting ongoing job-search conditions. For application details, specific eligibility checks, and up-to-date rates, consult Jobcentre Plus or the official government guidance.