- Check you’re eligible (opens link in new window)
With any award of Benefit you must report any changes of your circumstances as soon as they change.
You can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you look for work.
There are 3 different types of JSA, please visit Gov.uk (opens link in new window) for information on each of them and your eligibility to claim:
Which types you can get depends on your circumstances.
Each year all benefits are subject to uprating in April, this means the amounts paid are increased.
With any award of Benefit you must report any changes of your circumstances as soon as they change.
There’s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you’re entitled to depends on things like your age, income and savings.
Use a benefits calculator (opens link in new window) to check how much JSA you can get, and how your other benefits will be affected.
Payments are usually made every 2 weeks.
All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
If your income-based JSA claim is ending because you’re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you’ll automatically continue to get the amount of JSA you currently receive, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll normally get this for 2 weeks, starting from the date of your new claim.
Apply for 'new style' JSA online (opens link in new window)
If you cannot apply online or you’re aged 16 -17 please contact Jobcentre Plus (opens link in new window)
Applying for contribution or income-based JSA please call Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888
Relay UK (opens link in new window) (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
Video relay service (opens link in new window) for British Sign Language (BSL) users
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
en-GBLast updated: 21/12/2023