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Jobseeker's Allowance is a benefit for people under state pension age (60 for women or 65 for men) who are unemployed and looking for work.
Jobseeker's Allowance can be paid as a contributory (based on National Insurance contributions paid) or means-tested (the amount paid depends on your income and savings) benefit. In both cases, you will have to agree the kind of work you will look for and the steps you will take each week to find work, and must also attend the Jobcentre Plus office regularly to prove your job search.
To qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (either type), you must:
In addition to the criteria above, to qualify for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you must also have a low income and savings of less than £16,000.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance can be paid for an unlimited amount of time, but you can be asked to attend (compulsory) courses and programmes; this is more likely to happen the longer you have been claiming.
In addition to the criteria listed above, to qualify for contributory Jobseeker's Allowance, you must have paid National Insurance contributions through previous work. It is paid at the same rate as income-based Jobseeker's Allowance but premiums (e.g. carer premium) cannot be paid. Contributory Jobseeker's Allowance is reduced by earnings and private pensions, but unaffected by other income or savings.
If you qualify for both types of Jobseeker's Allowance, you will be paid the contributory benefit, but may be able to top up your income with income-based benefit if you are entitled to any premiums e.g. carer premium.
Contributory Jobseeker's Allowance can only be paid for 6 months, after this time, you would switch to income-based.
To apply for Jobseeker's Allowance contact your local Jobcentre. You can find the contact details in your telephone book.
Page Last Modified: 31/03/2009
