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Accessibility Statement

Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

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:

  • ‘new style’ JSA
  • contribution-based JSA
  • income-based JSA

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.  

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

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Last updated: 21/12/2023