Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is paid to help people who are unemployed or on a low income that are out there looking for a job.
New Style JSA is a fortnightly payment that can be claimed on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit, depending on your circumstances.
It is a contributions-based benefit which normally means you may be eligible if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions in the two full tax years before the year you’re claiming in.
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If you qualify, you can get New Style JSA for up to 182 days and if you qualify for both New Style JSA and Universal Credit, any New Style JSA you receive will be taken into account as income for Universal Credit.
To be eligible for New Style JSA you’ll need to have both:
- worked as an employee
- paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years (National Insurance credits can also count)
You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.
The new financial year starts on April 6, and from this date Jobseeker’s Allowance and a number of other benefit payments will rise by 3.1%.
These include:
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Attendance Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit
New Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) payments for 2022/23 (weekly rates shown)
Higher rate £92.40 (from £89.60)
Lower rate £61.85 (from £60)
Government guidance states while receiving JSA you must "take reasonable steps" to look for work as agreed with your work coach.
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