Jobseekers' allowance - JSA

JSA - Jobseekers Allowance is for those over the age of 18 - but under retirement age. Basically, it replaces the old 'dole' system with the emphasis on getting (trying to get) people back into work.

It is basically a simple system of benefits to understand, but a little bit on the 'trying and stressful' side if you are eligible and expected to conform to its requirements.

There are two basic types of Jobseekers Allowance which are....

Contribution-based Jobseekers' Allowance
Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance

Jobseekers' Allowance is not normally available for those under the age of 18. ***There are special cases where it may be available if you are aged 16 or 17 years.

The rates of payment are age-dependent.

Contribution-Based JSA
- Age of 18 years to 24 years - £51.85 per week. (This is also the sum for those under 18 who have otherwise qualified for JSA payment)
- It is based upon the record of payments for National Insurance Contributions. You can only claim this type of JSA for yourself.
- Your partner's earnings are not taken into account for this type of Jobseekers' Allowance
- Age of 25 years + (But under retirement age) £65.45 per week
Income-Based JSA
- This type of Jobseekers' Allowance is basically 'means tested'.
- Single person under age 25 years - £51.85 per week
- Single person over age of 25 years - £65.45 per week
- Couples or legal Civil Partnerships and both over age 18 - £102.75 per couple per week.
- Lone Parent aged under 18 years - £51.85 per week
- Lone Parent aged over 18 years - £65.45 per week.

All payments for JSA Jobseekers' Allowance are made fortnightly - into a bank or building society account, in your name.

If you are receiving or eligible for Income-Based JSA, then you may receive less than the figures quoted above, once any household income, pension income and certain savings are taken into account.

Claiming Jobseekers' Allowance - JSA

There are two basic ways to claim Jobseeker's Allowance - JSA. You can either phone Jobcentre Plus - 0800 055 6688 - and then get an appointment at your local Jobcentre, or you can apply for the Jobseekers' Allowance online.

When you apply online, it does not mean that you can then sit back and wait for the money to arrive. You still have to attend for the interview which starts the whole procedure going.

If you had been getting JSA and it has stopped during the last 26 weeks, then you need to telephone Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.

If you want to deal in the Welsh Language - call 0800 012 1888

If you are hard of hearing - or worry about speaking, then use textphone on 0800 023 4888.