Make a new benefit claim
Jobseekers Allowance
New Claim or Rapid Reclaim: 08000 55 66 88
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.There are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance, 'contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance' and 'income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'.
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance:
You may be entitled to claim contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs). Jobcentre Plus can pay this for up to 182 days. Generally, self-employed contributions will not help you qualify for contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance:
This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough NICs (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.
Jobseeker's Allowance payments
In most cases you will not get any money for the first three days of your claim. These are called 'waiting days'. Jobseeker's Allowance is paid at the end of every fortnight. All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account. This is the safest, most convenient and efficient method of payment.
Some of the information on this page is © Crown Copyright. Directgov alternative (and route):
Directgov (homepage) -> Money Tax & Benefits -> Benefits & Other Support -> Benefits & Help (out of work) -> How to Claim (JSA) We have reduced the official route from 5 steps to just 2 steps. We hope this has helped.
For a basic understanding of the conditions see the below law snippet
PART I
THE JOBSEEKER’S ALLOWANCE
Entitlement
1.—
(1) An allowance, to be known as a jobseeker’s allowance, shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a claimant is entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance if he–
(a) is available for employment;
(b) has entered into a jobseeker’s agreement which remains in force;
(c) is actively seeking employment;
(d) satisfies the conditions set out in section 2;
(e) is not engaged in remunerative work;
(f) does not have limited capability for work;
(g) is not receiving relevant education;
(h) is under pensionable age; and
(i) is in Great Britain.