New Style Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

Havering Welfare Benefits Adviser Lorraine Moss today writes in the Havering Daily:

Contribution Based Benefits

Contribution based benefits were first introduced as a result of The National Insurance Act 1911 and The Beveridge report of 1942 proposed expansion and unification of the Welfare State under a scheme called Social Insurance.  Over the next few weeks, I will be looking at all the different types of benefits that people can claim based on their National Insurance contributions. 

New Style Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

This is a contribution based benefit that people can apply for if they are unemployed or work less than 16 hours per week.  In order to be eligible, normally you must have been paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions in two full tax years before the year that you are claiming in .   You can receive this benefit for a maximum of 182 days.

Universal Credit

You can claim Universal credit at the same time as New Style JSA.  However, your New Style JSA would be deducted in full as income.

Savings and Your Partners Income

Unlike means tested benefits, any savings or your partners income is not taken into consideration and therefore does not affect the amount that you will receive.  Any earnings that you are receiving or any income from a private pension can be taken into consideration.  For more information, please see New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Current Rates of Pay For JSA

Under 25 – £58.90 per week (increases to £59.20 per week in April 2021.) 

Over 25 – £74.35 per week (increases to £74.70 per week in April 2021) 

How to Apply

How your previous employment ended can affect you when applying for benefits.  For example, if you left your previous job voluntarily, you will need to show a good reason for this, otherwise it could result in a sanction and you may not receive any payment for 3 months.  Please see  Will I lose out on benefits if I leave my job voluntarily? | WorkSmart: The career coach that works for everyone.  

You can apply online, please see Find out if you may be eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance – Apply for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance – DWP.  If you are not able to apply online you can contact Job Centre Plus by calling 0800 055 6688.   If you are unsure whether you are eligible there is a useful online tool that you can use to check that is available on the link to apply. 

Next week I will be looking at New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).