Jobseeker's allowance

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

If you are unemployed, you can claim jobseeker's allowance. Read this page to find out how.

What is jobseeker's allowance?

Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid to people who are unemployed and available for work. There are two kinds:

• contribution based jobseeker's allowance
• income based jobseeker's allowance.

Can I claim JSA?

If you are unemployed and actively seeking full-time work, you can apply for jobseeker's allowance.

There are some circumstances where you probably won't be able to claim JSA. These are described below.

• If you are 16 or 17 years old, although in circumstances of severe hardship, you may be entitled to help. Read our page on benefits for 16-17 year olds to find out more.
• If you are a full-time student. However, if you are responsible for a child you may be able to claim during the summer holidays.
• If you are working for more than an average of 16 hours a week.

In addition, single people under the age of 25 who are not responsible for any children are entitled to less JSA than people over 25.

Other restrictions apply, depending on the kind of jobseeker's allowance you are claiming. These are described below.

Contribution based jobseeker's allowance

You can claim this for up to six months if you have worked in the past and paid a certain number of national insurance contributions. Contact your local Jobcentre to find out if you are eligible to claim.

If you are still unemployed when your entitlement to contribution based jobseeker's allowance ends, you can claim income based jobseeker's allowance.

Income based jobseeker's allowance

You probably won't be able to claim income based JSA if:

• you have savings over £16,000, or
• your partner works an average of more than 24 hours a week, or
• you are over 60 (women) or 65 (men) - in this case you may be entitled to pension credit. If you're a man aged 60-64 you may be better off claiming pension credit instead - speak to a benefits adviser to make sure.
  

Savings below these amounts can also affect how much JSA you receive.

What if I can't get JSA?

If you don't qualify for JSA, you may be able to get some payments under a 'hardship provision', if you can show that your family will suffer if you don't get JSA. Contact your local Jobcentre to find out more.

I don't think JSA is for me, what else is there?

You may be entitled to income support if you are not seeking work because you are:

• a lone parent
• sick or disabled
• a carer.

How do I claim JSA?

To claim JSA, call 0800 0 55 66 88 or visit your nearest Jobcentre to arrange a jobseeker's interview. Don't forget to bring your national insurance number and P45 (if you've worked in the past). You'll be asked to sign a jobseeker's agreement, stating that you are actively looking for a job, and will then need to 'sign on' every two weeks. If you're out of work for six months, you'll have to take part in the government's New Deal programme.

Find out more

To find out more about claiming JSA, call the Jobcentre Plus telephone line on 0800 0 55 66 88 or textphone 0800 0 23 48 88 (this is a service for hearing impaired people, and doesn't accept texts).

You can look up your nearest Jobcentre and find out more about JSA at the Jobcentre Plus website. You can also get help and advice in claiming JSA at your local Citizens Advice Bureau or welfare rights centre - use the Advice Services Directory to find help near you.