Jobseeker's Allowance

What is it?

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is for people who are available for and actively looking for (seeking) work.

• You may have to make a joint claim with your partner. Ask a personal adviser for details.
• To get benefit, you will need to discuss, usually every 2 weeks, when you are available for work and what you are doing to find a job.
• If you have paid enough National Insurance contributions in the past, you may be able to get contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
• If your income and savings are below a certain level, you may be able to claim income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

What are the benefit rates?

Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance

• Person aged 16-17: £35.65
• Person aged 18-24: £46.85
• Person aged 25 or over: £59.15

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Personal allowances - single people Rate

• Person aged 16-17: £35.65
• Person aged 18-24: £46.85
• Person aged 25 or over: £59.15

Personal allowances - couple Rate

• Both aged 16-17: £35.65
• Both aged 16/17, one disabled: £46.85
• Both aged 16/17, with responsibility for a child: £70.70
• One aged 16/17, one aged 18-24: £46.85
• One aged 16/17, one aged over 25: £59.15
• Both aged 18 or over: £92.80

Lone parents Rate

• Aged 16-17: £35.65
• or depending on their circumstances: £46.85
• Aged 18 or over: £59.15

Dependent children Rate

• Payable from birth up to the day before their 20th birthday: £47.45

Most families in receipt of Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance receive support for their children through Child Tax Credit. A decision will be made on transferring the remaining cases in due course. To find out more about Child Tax Credit.

What do I need to do next?

Call 0800 055 6688 (8am - 6pm Monday to Friday). A textphone service is available if you have a speech or hearing impairment 0800 023 4888.

 Joint claims for Jobseeker's Allowance when some of the conditions do not apply (187kb)

 While claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (142kb)

 JSA and IS for 16 and 17 year olds (399kb)

Get help with PDF's

Claim Online

You can claim Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Incapacity Benefit online