There are two types of Jobseeker’s Allowance but you can only receive one:
- Contribution-based JSA is a flat-rate taxable allowance, paid for six months, based on your National Insurance contributions
- Income-based JSA is a means-tested taxable benefit for people with no income or a low income, and with savings less than £16,000
Couples: income-based JSA
Couples normally have to complete a joint claim. Both partners must sign on to receive benefit.
If one partner does not satisfy the conditions the other partner will be paid at a single person’s rate.
If one member of a couple is unfit for work it may be better for them to claim income support instead.
There are particular rules for 16/17 year olds.
Available for and actively seeking work
You must sign on regularly, be looking for work and be able to show evidence of job seeking. You will also be asked to sign a jobseeker’s agreement.
You must also fit all the following criteria:
- you are available for work and you are actively seeking full-time work (40 hrs)
- you have entered into and signed a jobseeker’s agreement
- you are not working for more than 16 hours per week
- your partner is not working for more than 24 hours per week
- you are capable of work
- you are under pension age
- you are not in full time education
How do I claim?
On the first day you become unemployed contact your local Jobcentre Plus Office or the Jobcentre. You could lose benefit if you delay. When you register as unemployed you should be given a jobseeker's interview within five days.
You will also receive a Jobseeker's Allowance claim pack. If you need assistance to complete this ask the staff or make an appointment at you local social work office for further advice.
If you have previously been employed you may be allowed to restrict the type of work you look for during the first 13 weeks. During this period you will only need to agree to look for jobs that are in your normal occupation.
You will be asked to sign a jobseeker’s agreement. If you do not sign the agreement you may not get Jobseeker's Allowance. While the Decision-Maker is considering your case you will not get benefit, but you may be entitled to a hardship payment, ask for further advice.
People with special needs, health or disability issues can receive specialist advice from a Disability Employment Adviser.
Decisions
If benefit is not awarded or is withdrawn you have the right to ask for a revision, or to appeal to an appeal tribunal, within one month of the decision.
Breaking the agreement (sanctions)
If you have broken your jobseeker agreement you may be issued with a direction - for example, to attend a course, or improve your appearance.
If you fail to follow this direction you may be sanctioned. This means your benefit may be stopped for a fixed period. This is usually for two weeks but can be for four weeks if this is the second sanction within 12 months.
A sanction should not be applied if you have good cause for not following a direction. If you think that this applies to you should lodge an appeal and ask for advice from your local social work office.
Jobseeker's agreement - interviews
From time to time you may be called for an interview to discuss your efforts to find work. Any interviews will be notified to you in writing and must be attended. If you do not attend an interview your benefit will stop unless within five days you can show "good cause".
If you require further information on how to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, because sanctions have been applied or you have been refused benefit, or you require representation at appeal contact your local social work office.
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