Change description : 2025-06-01 23:59:00: Biometric residence permit (BRP) have been removed as an acceptable photographic proof of identity. [Guidance and regulation]
If you’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average you may be able to get New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
New Style JSA is a fortnightly payment that can be claimed on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit.
New Style JSA is a contribution based benefit. Normally, this means you may be able to get it if you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions, usually in the 2 full tax years before the year you’re claiming in. National Insurance credits can also count.
If you qualify, you can get New Style JSA for up to 182 days. After this your work coach will talk to you about your options.
If you qualify for both New Style JSA and Universal Credit, any New Style JSA you receive will be taken into account as income for Universal Credit.
Why should I claim New Style JSA?
Your savings and capital (or your partner’s savings, capital and income) are not taken into account when claiming New Style JSA. However, your earnings and any payment you’re getting from a pension can affect the amount you may receive.
While you receive New Style JSA you’ll be awarded Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help towards your State Pension and other contributory benefits in the future. It is a regular fortnightly payment.
The following table shows what you may be able to claim depending on your circumstances:
Your situation
New Style JSA
Universal Credit
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average and you need support between jobs.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
You can apply for New Style JSA – even if your partner works or you and your partner have savings over £16,000.
You can apply for Universal Credit if you (and your partner) have children or housing costs.
You can also apply for Universal Credit if you (and your partner) have £16,000 or less in savings between you.
Your partner’s income will be taken into account as you’ll need to claim Universal Credit as a couple.
Any New Style JSA you receive will also be taken into account as income but you may still get Universal Credit.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average. You need support between jobs and you’ve not paid or have not been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years.
You’re unlikely to get New Style JSA if you’ve not paid or have not been credited with NI contributions.
You can apply for Universal Credit if you (and your partner) have children or housing costs.
You can also apply for Universal Credit if you (and your partner) have £16,000 or less in savings between you.
Your partner’s income will be taken into account as you’ll need to apply for Universal Credit as a couple.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
Between you, you and your partner have more than £16,000 in savings.
You can apply for New Style JSA.
New Style JSA is not affected by you and your partner’s savings.
You’re unlikely to get Universal Credit because your savings are too high.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
Your partner works.
Between you, you and your partner have less than £16,000 in savings.
You can apply for New Style JSA, as your partner’s work does not affect your entitlement.
You can also apply for Universal Credit as you and your partner have less than £16,000 in savings.
Your partner’s income will be taken into account as you’ll need to apply for Universal Credit as a couple.
Any New Style JSA you receive will also be taken into account as income but you may still get Universal Credit.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You receive pension income from previous employment.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
You can apply for New Style JSA.
Your pension income may be taken into account.
If you and your partner have less than £16,000 of savings you might also get Universal Credit.
Your pension income will be taken into account.
Any New Style JSA you receive will also be taken into account as income, but you may still get Universal Credit.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You have children.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
You can apply for New Style JSA as you’ve paid/been credited with NI contributions so you may qualify.
New Style JSA does not include additional amounts for children.
You can also apply for Universal Credit, as it is a household assessment and you can receive an amount for children.
You’re unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You live in rented accommodation, or have a mortgage or home loan, and need help to pay the cost.
You’ve paid and/or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years as an employee.
You can apply for New Style JSA as you’ve paid/been credited with NI contributions so may qualify.
New Style JSA does not include an additional amount for housing costs.
You can also apply for Universal Credit, as it is a household assessment and you can receive an amount for your housing costs.
Eligibility
To get New Style JSA you usually need to have been working within the last 2 to 3 years as an employee, and have paid (or been credited with) Class 1 National Insurance contributions.
You’ll need to be either unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average.
You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.
Biometric residence permit (BRP) have been removed as an acceptable photographic proof of identity.
4 October 2022
Updated the guidance on what happens after you make your claim to make it clearer.
5 August 2022
The time it takes for DWP to contact you after you apply for New Style JSA has changed from within 10 days to within 14 days.
25 July 2022
Added translation
7 July 2022
Updated guidance because you'll need to attend a face to face interview at a jobcentre after you make a new claim for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance. Included list of documents you'll need to take to the interview to prove your identity.
12 April 2021
Added guidance that you must attend a phone interview when you make a claim New Style Jobseeker's Allowance and you are eligible for the benefit and explained what happens at the interview.
27 January 2021
From 27 January 2021 you can claim New Style JSA if you’re getting Severe Disability Premium (SDP), or if you received SDP in the last month and are still eligible for it.
9 December 2020
Replaced guidance that you do not need to go to an appointment with a work coach at the moment with new guidance that DWP will make an appointment to talk to you, either over the phone or face-to-face.
1 July 2020
Updated the eligibility conditions to explain you need to take reasonable steps to look for work while following the guidance on working safely during coronavirus.
9 June 2020
Removed requirement to show you’re looking for work from the 'Eligibility' section because of coronavirus. Added eligibility guidance for people on furlough or getting Self-Employment Income Support grant. Added information you'll need before you start your application.
10 April 2020
The guidance on how to apply has been updated because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
14 February 2020
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) content updated and print and fold guide added.
22 February 2019
Removed references to Universal Credit full service and live service.
1 February 2019
Updated page to reflect that new claims to Universal Credit can now be made by households with more than 2 children.
22 January 2019
Updated Welsh version to reflect how the severe disability premium might affect a claim.
21 January 2019
Added information about Severe Disability Premium and how it may affect your claim to new style Jobseeker's Allowance.
3 January 2019
Added translation
2 January 2019
Next Generation Text (NGT) relay and Welsh language telephone line numbers updated.
14 December 2018
How to claim section updated and Next Generation Text number added.
12 December 2018
Updated to show that Universal Credit is now available everywhere in Great Britain.
27 September 2018
Universal Credit live service telephone helpline opening hours changed to 9am to 4pm.
4 September 2018
Added translation
24 May 2018
Added translation
24 May 2018
Added translation
23 May 2018
Added information about if you have more than 2 children.
1 January 2018
Updated for changes to who can claim new style Jobseeker's Allowance from 1 January 2018 if you don't live in a Universal Credit full service area.
29 November 2017
Updated guide with new 0800 freephone numbers for Universal Credit.
6 April 2017
How to claim new style Jobseeker's Allowance information updated.