Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are looking for work. There are two types of Jobseeker’s Allowance. Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means tested benefit for people on a low income, however, new claims for this have been abolished and replaced with Universal Credit instead. The other type of Jobseeker’s Allowance is contribution based and is referred to as new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance. Entitlement depends on whether you have paid National Insurance contributions rather than whether you are on a low income and you can still make a new claim for this type of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Eligibility

To qualify for new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance you need to have worked as an employee and paid sufficient class 1 National Insurance contributions in the last 2 to 3 years. Class 1 National Insurance credits can also count. There is a useful table on gov.uk which shows when you can get class 1 credits.

Unfortunately class 2 National Insurance contributions which you pay if you are self-employed don’t count for new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you were working as a share fisherman or volunteer development worker.

In addition to meeting the National Insurance conditions you must also meet the following requirements:

• Be below State Pension age
• Not be in full-time education
• Not be in full-time work (but you may be able to claim if you are working less than 16 hours a week)
• Not have an illness or disability that stops you from working (You might be able to claim new-style Employment and Support Allowance and/or Universal Credit instead)
• Be actively seeking work

You can only receive new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance for a maximum of 182 days (around 6 months). When your Jobseeker’s Allowance claim ends, if you have still not found work or are on a low income you might be able to claim Universal Credit instead.

New-style Jobseeker’s Allowance is not means tested so it is not affected by household income or savings. However, certain pension payments and income from part-time work are taken into account. It does not include any additional amounts for your partner or children. If you are on a low income you might be entitled to Universal Credit which can be claimed at the same time as new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance – Universal Credit can include additional amounts for your partner or children.

Getting Paid

New-style Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid at the following weekly rates (April 2026/27):

• If you are aged 24 or under you can get up to £75.65 per week
• If you are aged 25 or over you can get up to £95.55 per week

It is paid every 2 weeks, however, you won’t receive anything for the first 7 days of your claim which means your first payment will be less than the payments that follow.

How to Claim

Most claims for new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance are made online. If you cannot apply online you can contact Jobcentre Plus to make a claim by telephone.

What you will be expected to do

After you’ve made a claim you will have an interview with a work coach from Jobcentre Plus. This may take place over the telephone or you might be asked to attend your local Jobcentre. At the interview you will discuss your plans to find work and agree a claimant commitment which sets out what you are expected to do in terms of looking for work.

For the first 4 weeks after claiming new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance you can limit the type of work you look for to a similar type of work or rate of pay that you have had previously. After 4 weeks if you still have not found work you will be expected to look for any type of job at any rate of pay.

You will usually be expected to spend 35 hours a week looking for work and be available to work 35 hours a week, however, if you are responsible for a child under 16 or caring for a disabled child or adult, you may be able to limit the number of hours you are expected to be available for and spend looking for work.

You are also usually expected to look for work in locations with a travel time from your home of up to 90 minutes. However, if your ability to travel is affected by your caring responsibilities you may be able to negotiate a shorter travel time with your work coach. In general, if you are responsible for young children the travel time to work should be proportionate to your work search requirements. For example, if your expected hours of work search and availability are 16 a week, your expected travel time would be reduced to 60 minutes. You may be able to negotiate a shorter travel time depending on your circumstances, however, you will need to be able to show that you still have a reasonable prospect of finding work.

Sanctions

If you do not meet your work search requirements and carry out the activities set out in your claimant commitment without good reason you can be sanctioned. Being sanctioned means your benefit is paid at a reduced (or nil) rate for a certain period. If you feel that you have been sanctioned unfairly you can challenge the decision by asking for a mandatory reconsideration and if that is unsuccessful appealing.

What else can you claim?

In addition to new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance there may be other benefits or financial support that you are entitled to. If you are on a low income or need help with paying rent you might be entitled to Universal Credit. You could also get a reduction to your council tax bill if you’re on a low income.

There is lots more information on this page about benefits you can claim if you’re not working or are on a low income.

This advice applies in England, Wales and Scotland. If you live in another part of the UK, the law may differ. If you are in Northern Ireland you can visit the Labour Relations Agency or call their helpline Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300.

Our helpline and online contact form is now closed as we wind down our operations. Our free legal advice pages remain available and up to date until further notice. You can find a list of trusted organisations that may be able to help you below.