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Jobseeker's Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work or work less than 16 hours a week on average. If you're eligible, it is paid while you're looking for work.

Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance?

To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be:

  • available for, capable and actively seeking work
  • aged 18 or over but below State Pension age
  • working less than 16 hours per week on average, depending on the amount of your wage
  • in Northern Ireland

Jobseeker's Allowance isn't normally paid to 16 or 17 year olds, except in special cases.

If you’re a man who has reached the Pension Credit qualifying age, you may be able to claim Pension Credit. Contact your local Social Security / Jobs and Benefits office for advice. The minimum age you can get Pension Credit is gradually increasing to 65 alongside the increase in women's State Pension Age.

How it works?

There are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance, 'contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance' and 'income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'.

Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Contribution based Jobseeker’s Allowance can be paid for up to 182 days. It’s based on how much National Insurance you have paid in the last two tax years. 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 National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.

Please read 'National Insurance' for more information about National Insurance contributions.

How to claim

If you wish to claim Jobseekers Allowance, contact your local Jobs and Benefits or Social Security Office.

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. It's paid straight into your bank or building society account. This is the best way to get your benefit because you can choose how and when to take your money out of your account.

If you get an occupational or personal pension, it may affect the amount of benefit you get.

Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance

The maximum weekly rates are:

Age

Amount
Aged 16 - 24                                          £53.45                                         
Aged 25 or over £67.50

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

The maximum weekly rates are:

Type of person

Amount
Single people, aged under 25 £53.45
Single people, aged 25 or over £67.50
Couples and civil partnerships (both aged 18 or over) £105.95
Lone parents (aged under 18) £53.45
Lone parents (aged 18 or over) £67.50

For income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the amount may be less after your household income, pension and savings is taken into account.

What happens next

Attending the Jobcentre

When you claim Jobseekers Allowance, you'll need to attend an interview at the Social Security/Jobs and Benefits office. An adviser will help you draw up a 'jobseeker's agreement'. This will set out the steps you agree to take to find work.

To keep getting benefit you'll have to attend regular jobsearch reviews, usually every fortnight. There's a longer review if you've been getting benefit for 13 weeks.

For more information about the help you can get to find work, visit:

If you think the decision is wrong

If the Social Security/Jobs and Benefits office decides that you can't get Jobseekers Allowance and you think the decision is wrong you can appeal.

Changes in your circumstances

You must tell the Social Security/Jobs and Benefits Office as soon as possible about any changes in your circumstances, as it may affect your benefit.

More useful links

See also...

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