Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is for people who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week and who are available and actively seeking work.
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) cannot be paid at the same time as Income Support.

CONDITIONS OF ENTITLEMENT

JSA Contributory
This is based on the Jobseekers National Insurance contribution record.

It is not effected by the amount of capital the customer or their partner has.

Any occupational pension received, that is £50.00 per week or more, is deducted from the ammount of benefit payable.

The Customer Must:

• Be available for work, and
• Be actively seeking work, and
• Be capable of work, and
• Enter into a Jobseekers agreement which remains in force, and
• Be under pensionable age, and
• Be in Great Britain.

The Customer Must Not be in:

• Remunerative work
• Full time education

JSA Income Based

This is means tested, taxable and payable if you have no income or a low income and no more than £16,000 savings. Your partner, if you have one, cannot work 24 hours a week or more. It can top up contribution paid JSA.

APPLICABLE AMOUNT

The maximum amount awarded is called the applicable amount. This is reduced by any reckonable income the jobseeker, partner and/or dependants receive.

It is made up of:

• Personal Allowance
• Premiums
• Housing costs

CLAIMING JSA

Claim forms are received from the Jobcentre after the jobseeker has:

• attended a Labour Market interview
• signed a Jobseekers Agreement
• completed and signed a JSA claim form

WHEN TO CLAIM JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE

A claim for Job Seekers Allowance should be made as soon as the customer becomes unemployed.

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