Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is for people who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week and who are seeking work.
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) cannot be paid at the same time as Income Support.
People who have a limited capability for work due to illness or disability should claim Employment and Support Allowance instead.

CONDITIONS OF ENTITLEMENT

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

It is payable for up to six months and is taxable.

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 State Pension age, and
• Be in Great Britain, and
• For Contribution JSA, pass the contribution-based conditions
• For Income-based JSA, pass the income-based conditions.

The Customer Must Not be in:

• Work 16 hours or more in a week.
• Full time education

Income Based JSA

This is means tested, taxable and payable if you have no income or a low income and no more than £16,000 in savings. Your partner, if you have one, cannot work 24 hours a week or more.

How to claim JSA

Customers should make a claim for JSA on the first day of being unemployed. JSA is administered by Jobcentre Plus. You will have most contact via a personal adviser at the local office where you sign on.

To make a claim, ring the national claim number 0800 055 6688, textphone 0800 023 4888. Your details will be taken, and an appointment will be arranged for you to see a financial assessor and a personal adviser. The interviews will be held at your local Jobcentre Plus and will usually take place on the same day. The Call Centre will send you claim documents, which should be completed by you and taken along to your interviews. Jobcentre Plus does prefer claims to be completed by phone. However, heavy demand on the Call Centres sometimes means that claim packs are sent out. If you have difficulty using a telephone you can request a paper claim pack be sent to you for completion.

For further information please contact DIAL Doncaster.

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.