Jobseeker's Allowance – Directgov : Money, tax and benefits

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid to eligible people who are currently unemployed and looking for work.

To claim JSA you need to be actively looking for work and:

• over 18 but below State Pension age
• unemployed or working fewer than 16 hours per week
• living in England, Scotland or Wales

Under 18s: you can’t get JSA, except in special circumstances. Follow the link below for more details.

Under 20s: you can’t get JSA while you are in education and your parents are receiving Child Benefit for you. If they are, and you’ve left school or college this summer, wait until 3 September before applying for JSA (that’s when the Child Benefit payments usually stop).

Full time students: you can’t usually get JSA until your course has officially finished – check the date with your college or university.

What happens after you’ve submitted your claim online?

You will:

• get a phone call or text message within two working days inviting you to an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus
• attend an interview and agree steps towards finding work

Once your claim has been processed, you’ll be told whether or not you’ll receive Jobseeker’s Allowance, how much you’ll get and how it will be paid.

How much will you get paid?

Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to the following amounts: