The UK government supports unemployed workers or people working less than 16 hours a week through Job Seeker’s Allowance to help them manage their financial crisis. The eligible UK citizen who seeks JSA or receives JSA can check the full details about the allowance here.
New Style Job Seekers Allowance
The UK people who are unemployed or on average work less than 16 hours a week can seek a New Style Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA). The government aimed to help the UK people who are looking for work and became unemployed due to some unforeseen circumstances with income support.
This way the UK government ensures that people focus more on getting the job that fits their profile and learn new skills to grab better career opportunities. The New Style JSA is a contribution-based benefit, which means you will get this benefit when you have paid enough National Insurance contributions or you have eligible NI credits.
People living in the UK who qualify for the New Style JSA can receive income support for a while. The payout under the New Style JSA will be made fortnightly, the payment date can vary for the recipient as it depends on your first payment date after the approval of your New Style JSA.
New Style Job Seekers Allowance Eligibility Criteria
People living in the UK can claim the New Style Job Seekers Allowance if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You are either unemployed or on average you work less than 16 hours a week
- You have worked within the last two to three years and contributed or credited with Class 1 National Insurance contributions.
- You are looking for a job and took reasonable steps to look for a job.
- You are 18 or above (At certain circumstances you can get New style JSA when you’re 16 or 17)
- You are under the state pension age.
Remember, if you have a serious illness or disability that limits your capability to work, you cannot claim the New Style JSA, but you can claim the New Style ESA.
New Style Job Seekers Allowance Payout
The fortnightly payment of New Style JSA in 2024 has increased by the authority based on inflation. The New Style JSA payout from April 2024 to March 2025 is based on your age, the recipients can check the payout amount below:
- When you are under 25, you will receive £71.70 a week as New Style JSA
- When you are 25 or above age, you may receive £90.50 a week payment as New Style JSA.
The DWP pays the New Style JSA for 180 days after this a work coach will contact you about your job-seeking plans and other options. As we have mentioned before, the New Style JSA payment is contribution-based and it depends on national insurance contributions the recipient made in 2 full tax years before claiming New Style JSA.
The New Style JSA recipients should know that if they qualify for both Universal Credit and New Style JSA, their New Style JSA will be taken as income for Universal Credit. Hence, it is not a means-tested benefit, so it will affect your other benefits or allowances, however, it is believed the partner savings or earnings are ignored in the New Style JSA.
What will you need to apply for the New Style Job Seekers Allowance?
People who are unemployed or looking for a job and worked for less than 16 hours a week and seeking New Style JSA should prepare the following documents before applying:
- Your National Insurance Number
- Employment details from the past six months, such as your employer details and period you worked
- When you receive money from your private pensions/ workplace pensions/ annuity you have brought, you must submit the statement letter of transactions and benefits you received.
How to apply for New Style Job Seekers Allowance?
People living in the UK who meet the eligibility criteria of the New Style Job Seeker’s allowance and wish to apply for it to receive financial support can apply through the following ways:
- Online: You can apply for the New Style JSA online on the official website of the UK government with all the mentioned documents at https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/apply-new-style-jsa
However, if you are aged 16 to 17 and you are applying on someone’s behalf or you need help in applying, you should opt for other ways to apply for the New style JSA.
- Contact JobCentre Plus: People living in England, Wales, or Scotland can contact their nearest JobCentre Plus and request to apply for the New Style JSA and complete the application.
- JobSeeker’s Processing Center: People living in Northern Ireland should contact the Jobseeker’s Processing Center and apply for the New Style JSA.
What’s next after you apply for the New Style JSA?
When you are done applying for the New Style JSA, you receive a text or email on your registered mobile number or email address to confirm that your application for the New Style JSA is submitted and under review.
After the confirmation, the DWP will notify you within 14 days with either of two things:
- You will receive a letter stating the reason why you are ineligible to receive the New Style JSA, or
- You’ll receive an invitation letter for a JSA interview at the Jobcentre Plus office.
The applicants who received the invitation for the JSA interview must attend the interview to confirm their identity with photo identity proof, address proof, and one more identity proof and sign the agreement that they will look for work.
After the agreement, you will receive your first payment made based on your conditions and your work coach will contact you to schedule regular appointments to check up on your job applications and interviews.
The UK government supports people who are unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week through the New Style JSA income support and gives them a period to secure a new job without worrying about their expenses.