Jobseeker’s Allowance
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What is Jobseeker’s Allowance?
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a benefit to support people while they look for work. Eligibility:
- worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years.
- be 18 or over (there are some exceptions if youre 16 or 17)
- be under the State Pension age
- not be in full-time education
- be available for work
- not be working at the moment, or be working less than 16 hours per week on average
- not have an illness or disability which stops you from working
- live in England, Scotland or Wales
- have the right to work in the UK
JSA is being slowly phased out and replaced by Universal Credit. For more details on JSA and how it’s being replaced, see the Government website.
Related Articles:
- Glossary: Universal CreditUniversal Credit is a payment to help with living costs. It paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.It is for people who are on a low income, out of work or cannot work.Universal credit was introduced in 2013 to replace the following benefits:Child Tax Credit Housing Benefit Income Support income-based Jobseeker Allowance (JSA ) income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Working Tax Credit
- Glossary: Indices of Multiple DeprivationIn the 1970s, government officials decided to gain an idea of the breadth and depth of rural and urban poverty by creating an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).