You can get Universal Credit at the same time or instead. Income-based JSA has closed to new claims.
Quick facts
- Up to 24
- Up to £75.65 a week
- 25 or over
- Up to £95.55 a week
- How long
- Up to 182 days
- Hours
- Under 16 a week
- Savings
- Do not count
Who can get it — the full rules
To be eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) you’ll need to have both:
- worked as an employee
- paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years
You must also:
- be 18 or over
- be under the State Pension age
- be in Great Britain
- not be working 16 or more hours per week
You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.
How much you get
- Up to 24: up to £75.65
- 25 or over: up to £95.55
You can get JSA for up to 182 days (about 6 months). After this you can talk to your work coach about your options.
You may have to wait up to 7 days after applying for your JSA to start, and up to 2 weeks after that to get your first payment.
Your Claimant Commitment
Your JSA payments will be reduced or stopped if you do not keep to your agreement to look for work and cannot give a good reason.
Other help
Income-based JSA has closed: you cannot apply for income-based JSA any more. You can apply for Universal Credit instead.
If illness stops you working, see New Style ESA. In Northern Ireland, see New Style JSA in Northern Ireland.
Common questions
How much is New Style JSA in 2026?
Up to £75.65 a week if you are 24 or under, and up to £95.55 if you are 25 or over.
How long can I get it?
Up to 182 days, about 6 months.
Do savings count?
No. Your savings and your partner’s savings will not affect your claim.
Can I work part-time?
Yes, if you work less than 16 hours a week.