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summary

If you’re unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week on average, you may be able to get the new Job Search Allowance (JSA).

new style jsa is a biweekly payment that can be claimed alone or at the same time as the universal credit.

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the new jsa style is a contribution based benefit. Typically, this means you can get it if you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions, usually in the full 2 tax years before the year you’re claiming. National Insurance credits may also count.

If you qualify, you can get new-style jsa for up to 182 days. After this, your job coach will discuss your options with you.

if you qualify for both new style jsa and universal credit, any new style jsa you receive will count towards universal credit income.

why should i claim the new jsa style?

Your savings and equity (or your partner’s savings, equity, and income) are not taken into account when claiming the new jsa style. however, your earnings and any payments you receive from a pension may affect how much you can receive.

While receiving the new JSA style, you will be awarded Class 1 National Insurance Credits, which can help you get your state pension and other tax benefits in the future. it is a regular biweekly payment.

The following table shows what you can claim based on your circumstances:

eligibility

To get the new style jsa, you generally must have been working in the last 2-3 years as an employee and have paid (or received) class 1 national insurance contributions.

You must be unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.

You must also take reasonable steps to look for work.

if you have an illness or disability that prevents you from working, you can’t get new style jsa, but you may be able to get a “new style” employment and support allowance.

how to claim

To apply, you will need your:

national insurance number
bank account or mortgage company details (or those of a trusted family member or friend)
employment details for the last 6 months, including employer contact details and the dates you worked with them
private pension declaration letter

apply online

You cannot apply online if you are under 18 years old.

request new jsa style

if you are unable to apply online or need alternative formats

contact jobcentre plus if any of the following apply:

you are between 16 and 17 years old
need help to apply
you need us to send you communications in an alternate format, such as braille, large print, or audio cd

after making your claim

If you provided your mobile phone number or email address in your online application, you will receive a text message or email to confirm it was submitted.

the department for work and pensions (dwp) will contact you within 14 days of applying. you:

be invited for an interview at your local jobcentre plus office
receive a letter explaining why you are not eligible for jsa

You do not need to contact dwp unless it has been more than 14 days since you applied and you have not heard back.

your jsa interview

If you are invited to an interview, you must attend. it will be at your local jobcentre plus office.

You will be asked a few questions to confirm your identity, and then you will come to an agreement on the steps you will take to look for a job.

You will need to bring all of the following:

a photographic proof of identity
a proof of address
further proof of identity

If you have a p45 form from your employer, bring it to your interview. you can also use this as your additional proof of identity.

photographic proof of identity

This may include any of the following, which have not expired:

a passport from any country
provisional or full uk photo driving license
armed forces identity card
police identity card
nhs identity card containing biometric data
identity cards with the logo of the proof of age standards scheme (pass)
foreign national identity card, but not identity cards issued under the UK national identity scheme
a residence permit, registration certificate or other document proving your right to live permanently in the UK, if you are a European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizen
a permanent residence card issued to a family member of an EEA or Swiss citizen
a biometric residence permit showing you can stay in the UK for 6 months or more
an immigration status document or other travel document showing that you are allowed to stay in the UK indefinitely
a certificate of registration or naturalization as a British citizen, showing that you can work in the UK
photo foreign driving license with an international driving licence, valid for up to 12 months from the date you entered the UK

proof of address

This can include any of the following:

current municipal tax return
UK provisional or full photo driving license (if not already used as personal photo ID)
full UK paper driving license
the most recent tax notice from hmrc, eg tax assessment, statement or coding notice, but not a p45 or p60
any other hmrc mapping
Mortgage statement from a reputable lender
town hall rental card or lease agreement
proof from voter registration that you live at the address
letter from your employer
personal loan statement
vehicle registration documents
letter from an accountant or attorney
letter from a school, college or university
student loan documents
life insurance or insurance policies
insurance policies for buildings, contents or vehicles
statement from the bank, mortgage company, credit card or credit union, dated within the last 6 months
mobile phone contract or statement, dated within the last 6 months
landline phone bill, dated within the last 6 months
utility bill, dated within the last 6 months, for example: gas, water, electricity
certificate from a utility provider showing that you use a prepaid arrangement at your address, dated within the last 6 months

other proof of identity

In addition to photographic evidence and proof of address, you will need to bring another document to prove your identity. this can include any of the following:

p45 or p60
savings book
personal checkbook
Current debit, credit or store card with a statement confirming card details

or any of the following if it hasn’t already been used to test your address:

the most recent tax notice from hmrc, eg tax assessment, statement or coding notice
student loan documents
current municipal tax return
Mortgage statement from a reputable lender
town hall rental card or lease agreement
personal loan statement
life insurance or insurance policies
insurance policies for buildings, contents or vehicles
Current or recent payslip or pension statement, dated within the last 6 months
statement from the bank, mortgage company, credit card or credit union, dated within the last 6 months
mobile phone contract or statement, dated within the last 6 months
landline phone bill, dated within the last 6 months
utility bill, dated within the last 6 months, for example: gas, water, electricity
certificate from a utility provider showing that you use a prepaid arrangement at your address, dated within the last 6 months

Utility bills can be used as proof of address and as additional proof of identity if they are from different providers.

support in your interview

you can bring someone with you to your jsa interview.

Contact your Job Plus Center prior to the interview if you need support due to a disability or medical condition (for example, if you are deaf and need a sign language interpreter).

sign an agreement to search for work (‘claimant commitment’)

At your jsa interview, you must sign an agreement about the steps you will take to look for a job. this is called a “claimant commitment”.

You and your job coach will agree on what is included in your claimant commitment. this could include:

what you need to do to look for a job; for example, registering with recruitment agencies, writing a resume
how many hours should you spend looking for a job each week

what you agree to do will depend on things like:

your health
your responsibilities at home
how much help you need to get a job or increase your income

if you disagree with a decision

You can contest a decision on your claim. this is called requesting a mandatory reconsideration.