Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

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1. How it works

You can apply for New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you바카라 사이트™re looking for work.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You cannot apply for income-based JSA any more. If you바카라 사이트™re currently getting income-based JSA, you바카라 사이트™ll keep getting payments while you바카라 사이트™re eligible until your claim ends.

You could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of New Style JSA. Check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible for Universal Credit.

What you need to do

1. Check you바카라 사이트™re eligible.

2. Make a claim for New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA) and go to an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus office.

3. Keep to your agreement to look for work. This agreement is called a 바카라 사이트˜Claimant Commitment바카라 사이트™ 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 you바카라 사이트™ll get

There바카라 사이트™s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you바카라 사이트™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 £72.90
25 or over	up to £92.05

You can get JSA for up to 182 days (about 6 months). After this you can talk to your work coach about your options.

How you바카라 사이트™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 you바카라 사이트™re moving to Universal Credit from income-based JSA

If your income-based JSA claim is ending because you바카라 사이트™re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you바카라 사이트™ll automatically continue to get the amount of JSA you currently receive, as long as you바카라 사이트™re still eligible. You바카라 사이트™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.

2. Eligibility

To be eligible for New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA) you바카라 사이트™ll need to have both:

• worked as an employee
• paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years (National Insurance credits can also count)

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

There are different eligibility rules .

You must also:

• be 18 or over
• be under the State Pension age
• be in Great Britain
• not be working 16 or more hours per week

You will not be eligible if you바카라 사이트™re involved in a disagreement with your employer about employment-related issues (a 바카라 사이트˜trade dispute바카라 사이트™).

You will not be eligible if you have an illness or disability which stops you from working. Check if you can get Employment and Support Allowance instead.

Your savings and your partner바카라 사이트™s savings will not affect your claim.

If you work

You cannot usually get New Style JSA if you work 16 or more hours per week.

Your earnings can reduce the amount of New Style JSA you get.

Check what you need to tell your work coach if you or your partner do any work while you바카라 사이트™re getting New Style JSA.

If you바카라 사이트™re in education

If you바카라 사이트™re studying part-time you may be eligible for JSA.

If you바카라 사이트™re studying full-time, you may be eligible if all of the following apply:

• the qualification you바카라 사이트™re studying for is at Level 4 or below
• you do not get a maintenance loan, grant or bursary for the qualification you바카라 사이트™re studying
• you can meet the work-related requirements agreed with your work coach

Claiming Universal Credit and New Style JSA

You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of New Style JSA.

If you get both benefits, your New Style JSA payments:

• count as income when claiming Universal Credit
• will reduce the amount of Universal Credit you receive

Your New Style JSA will usually be paid more regularly than Universal Credit. You바카라 사이트™ll also get different National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension and help you qualify for other benefits.

Check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible for Universal Credit.

3. Apply for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Before you apply for New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA), check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible.

To apply, you바카라 사이트™ll need your:

• National Insurance number
• bank or building society account details (or those of a family member or trusted friend)
• employment details for the past 6 months, including employer contact details and dates you worked with them

You바카라 사이트™ll also need to provide a statement letter if you receive any money from:

• your private pension
• your workplace pension
• an annuity you바카라 사이트™ve bought

To reclaim you need to apply again, even if your details have not changed.

You can backdate your claim by up to 3 months in certain circumstances.

Apply online

You cannot apply online if you바카라 사이트™re applying as an appointee on someone else바카라 사이트™s behalf.

If you cannot apply online or need alternative formats

You can apply another way if any of the following apply:

• you바카라 사이트™re applying as an appointee on someone else바카라 사이트™s behalf
• you need help applying
• you need communications to be sent to you in an alternative format, such as braille, large print or audio CD

You need to either:

• contact Jobcentre Plus if you live in England, Scotland or Wales
• if you live in Northern Ireland

After you make your claim

If you gave your mobile number or email address in your online application, you바카라 사이트™ll get a text or email to confirm it바카라 사이트™s been submitted.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will then contact you within 14 days of applying. You바카라 사이트™ll either:

• be invited to an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus office
• receive a letter to explain why you바카라 사이트™re not eligible for JSA

You do not need to contact DWP unless it has been more than 14 days since you applied and you have not heard anything.

If you disagree with a decision

You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.

Make a complaint

You can complain about Jobcentre Plus if you바카라 사이트™re unhappy with the service you바카라 사이트™ve received.

4. Your JSA interview

If you바카라 사이트™re invited to an interview, you must attend. It will be at your local Jobcentre Plus office.

You바카라 사이트™ll be asked some questions to confirm your identity and then you바카라 사이트™ll make an agreement about what steps you바카라 사이트™ll take to look for work.

Documents you need to bring to your interview

You바카라 사이트™ll need to bring all of the following:

• one photographic proof of identity
• one proof of address
• one further proof of identity

If you have a P45 from your employer, bring this to your interview. When you present it, tell your work coach if you바카라 사이트™ve already received or claimed a tax refund from HMRC for the current tax year.

You can also use your P45 as your further proof of identity.

Photographic proof of identity

Examples include your:

• current passport
• driving licence
• eVisa
• certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen
• permanent residence permit

Proof of address

Examples include a:

• payslip or pension statement dated within the last 6 months
• utility bill dated within the last 6 months
• Council Tax bill dated within the last 6 months
• student loan documentation

Further proof of identity

Examples include your:

• P60
• savings account book
• personal cheque book
• current debit, credit or store card with a statement confirming the card details

Utility bills can be used for proof of address and as further proof of identity if they are from different suppliers.

Read the complete list of documents you can bring to your interview.

Support at your interview

You can take someone with you to your JSA interview.

before the interview if you need:

• support because of a disability or health condition (for example, if you바카라 사이트™re deaf and need a sign language interpreter)
• a foreign language interpreter and do not have someone who can help with interpretation

Accept an agreement to look for work (바카라 사이트˜Claimant Commitment바카라 사이트™)

At your JSA interview, you must accept an agreement about what steps you바카라 사이트™ll take to look for a job. This is called a 바카라 사이트˜Claimant Commitment바카라 사이트™.

You and your work coach will agree what goes in your Claimant Commitment. This could include:

• what you need to do to look for work - for example registering with recruitment agencies, writing a CV
• how many hours you need to spend looking for work each week

What you agree to do will depend on things like:

• your health
• your responsibilities at home
• how much help you need to get work or increase your income

Your JSA might be reduced or stopped if you do not do what you바카라 사이트™ve agreed to in your Claimant Commitment and you cannot give a good reason

After your JSA interview

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you to either:

• let you know you are eligible for JSA and how much you바카라 사이트™ll get
• explain why you바카라 사이트™re not eligible for JSA

You will not need to do what you바카라 사이트™ve agreed in your Claimant Commitment if you바카라 사이트™re not eligible for JSA.

5. Your JSA claim

When you apply to claim JSA, your work coach will make an agreement with you to look for work. This agreement is called a 바카라 사이트˜Claimant Commitment바카라 사이트™.

Your Claimant Commitment could include:

• what you need to do to look for work - for example registering with recruitment agencies or writing a CV
• how many hours you need to spend looking for work each week

You should continue to do all the things you have agreed to do if you can do them safely.

You can search and apply for work using the 바카라 사이트˜Find a job바카라 사이트™ service.

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change, for example you start working or your income changes.

Attending regular appointments

Your work coach will arrange appointments with you every 1 to 2 weeks.

At these appointments, you must show your work coach what you바카라 사이트™ve been doing to look for work, for example proof of job applications and interviews.

If you바카라 사이트™re a victim of domestic abuse you might be able to get a break of up to 13 weeks from job seeking - speak to your work coach if you need this support.

When payment can be reduced or stopped

Your JSA payments can be reduced or stopped for a period if you do not do something your work coach asks you to do. This is called being 바카라 사이트˜sanctioned바카라 사이트™. For example, if you:

• do not take part in an appointment with your work coach
• do not accept or keep to your agreement to look for work
• turn down a job or training course
• do not apply for any jobs you바카라 사이트™re told about
• do not take part in any interviews you바카라 사이트™re invited to
• do not go to any training booked for you or take part in employment schemes

You may also be sanctioned if you:

• are not available to start work straight away
• choose to take a pay cut at your current job without a good reason
• have your pay cut at your current job because of something you did, such as your behaviour
• leave your last job or training without good reason or because of your behaviour

Contact Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible if any of these apply to you. You may be able to keep your payment if you have good reason.

You바카라 사이트™ll be told how long your payment will be reduced or stopped for. It could be for up to 26 weeks (about 6 months).

If you want to know how long your JSA payment could be reduced or stopped for, read part 3 or part 4 of the guidance on JSA sanctions.

If your JSA payment is reduced or stopped

If your payment is reduced or stopped, you should keep looking for work. Your benefit payment could be affected for longer if you do not.

If you disagree with the decision to stop payment, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again - this is called 바카라 사이트˜mandatory reconsideration바카라 사이트™.

If you disagree with the outcome of the mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

You should continue with any JSA claim until the dispute is settled.

If you claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

You should contact your local council immediately. They바카라 사이트™ll tell you what to do to continue getting support.

If your claim is ended

If you get income-based JSA, your claim may be ended if you바카라 사이트™re not available for or actively seeking work.

You cannot apply for income-based JSA again. Instead, check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible for Universal Credit and eligible for New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA). You could get both at the same time.

Hardship payments

If you were claiming income-based JSA, you may be able to get a hardship payment if your JSA payments have been stopped. You do not have to pay it back.

A hardship payment is a reduced amount (usually 60%) of your JSA.

If you were claiming New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA), you cannot get a hardship payment.

Eligibility

You can get a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or other basic needs for you or your child.

You must be 18 or over.

You바카라 사이트™ll have to show that you바카라 사이트™ve tried to find the money from somewhere else, such as borrowing from a friend or working extra hours.

How to claim

Speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser or work coach to find out how to claim a hardship payment.

Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

6. If you바카라 사이트™re getting income-based JSA

As long as you바카라 사이트™re still eligible, you바카라 사이트™ll keep getting income-based Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA) until your circumstances change.

Jobcentre Plus will talk to you about your options. If you바카라 사이트™re eligible you might be able to claim Universal Credit.

You need to take reasonable steps to look for work while getting JSA.

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change, for example you start working or your income changes.

Working hours and income

If you start working more than 16 hours a week, you might stop being eligible for JSA.

You might stop being eligible for income-based JSA if:

• your partner starts working 24 hours or more a week, or increases their hours to 16 hours or more a week
• your savings increase to £16,000 or more (including your partner바카라 사이트™s savings)

You cannot apply for income-based JSA any more. Instead, check if you바카라 사이트™re eligible for Universal Credit and New Style JSA. You could get both at the same time.

7. Report a change of circumstances

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change, for example you start working or your income changes. This might affect how much Jobseekers바카라 사이트™ Allowance (JSA) you get. 

If you get more than one benefit, you바카라 사이트™ll need to report your change to each benefit office.

This page does not cover every change you must report. Call Jobcentre Plus if you바카라 사이트™re not sure whether you need to report a change.

Your claim might be reduced or stopped if you do not report a change straight away.

New Style JSA

If you get New Style JSA, you must report if you: 

• change your name, address, bank details or telephone number

• become ill or go into hospital

• start or stop caring for someone

• start or stop education, training or an apprenticeship

• start a job, including self-employment

• do any paid, unpaid or voluntary work, even if it is only for a few hours

• start getting, stop getting, or get a different amount of other benefits or pensions

• leave Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for any period of time

• go on holiday, including holidays in Great Britain

Income-based JSA

If you get income-based Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance, you must report the following changes.

Changes to personal details

You need to report if:

• you or your partner change name, address, bank details or telephone number  

• anybody starts or stops living with you  

• you or someone included on your claim changes immigration status

• you go on holiday, including holidays in Great Britain

• you or anyone who lives with you leaves Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) for any period of time

• your partner or someone you live with dies

You also need to report if you, your partner, or anyone who lives with you:

• gets married or forms a civil partnership

• gets divorced or ends a civil partnership 

• has a baby or gets pregnant

• goes into prison or legal custody

Changes to work and education

You need to report if you, your partner, or anyone who lives with you:

• starts or stops education, training or an apprenticeship

• finds or finishes a job, or starts working different hours

• is involved in a trade dispute, or unable to work because of a trade dispute (for example, if there바카라 사이트™s a strike)

Volunteering will not normally affect your JSA but you should report it before you start.

Changes to income and benefits

You need to report if your household income goes up or down. Tell us if you or anyone who lives with you:

• has a change to earnings

• gets paid back-pay (sometimes called 바카라 사이트˜arrears바카라 사이트™) for earnings from work

• gets a different amount of benefit or pensions

• has a change to the amount of any other money coming in (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money from a charity)

Changes to your savings or assets

You need to report if the total savings and assets in your household is more than £6,000.

You also need to report if you or anyone who lives with you:

• has a change to the amount of savings or investments they own  

• becomes the owner of any land, buildings or premises or sells any land, buildings or premises

• gets a one-off payment such as inheritance or lump sum payment

Changes to a medical condition or disability

You need to report if:

• you or someone included on your claim has any changes to a medical condition or disability

• you or someone included on your claim goes into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

• you or someone included on your claim starts or stops caring for someone

• anybody starts or stops getting Carer바카라 사이트™s Allowance, Carer Support Payment or an extra amount of Universal Credit for caring for you

You may be prosecuted or have to pay a £50 penalty if you give wrong or incomplete information, or do not report changes straight away.

How to report

You can report a change of circumstances by:

• calling the JSA helpline
• writing to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your JSA - the address is on the letters you get about your JSA

If your partner or someone you live with has died, you can tell Jobcentre Plus and other government organisations in one go using the Tell Us Once service.

JSA and New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA) helpline
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
British Sign Language (BSL) if you바카라 사이트™re on a computer - find out how to
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

If you바카라 사이트™re claiming Universal Credit as well as New Style Jobseeker바카라 사이트™s Allowance (JSA), you must report changes to both services.

If you바카라 사이트™ve been paid too much

If you do not report a change straight away or give wrong or incomplete information, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to pay some of the money back.