This is a mini guide of how to apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and other relevant information about claiming.

Jobseekers Allowance: making a new claim

Making a new claim can be done via 3 methods:

• Writing/Application Form,
• Telephone, and
• Online.

First read below to see if you are eligible. We recommend you make a new claim via the telephone. This is the easiest way. If you do a new claim online, you have to confirm everything via the telephone, and then again in person.

Problems with Online System

To apply online, you have to give details and await them to call you to confirm the details.

People have reported that Jobcentre Plus doesn’t contact you, prompting you to call them and begin the claim process again. The significant issue here is the payment for benefit will not get back dated to the day you made the claim online but the date you phoned them to see whats happened.

This could be a couple of weeks difference – thus a loss of benefit for that period.

Jobcentre Plus gives the reason as you not being contactable. Some have confirmed that they had stayed in all day during office hours and have not had any calls, missed calls or answer machine messages from Jobcentre Plus.

Applying via telephone

• New Claims: 0800 055 6688 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
• Rapid Reclaim: 0800 055 6688 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
• New Claims (Welsh): 0800 012 1888 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
• New Claims (textphone): 0800 023 4888 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)

Jobseekers Allowance: Rates

Maximum Rates (benefit subject to deductions of work wages, deductions of deemed income and sanctions) are:

• Single & Lone Parents:
  • Aged under 25: £51.85
  • Aged 25 or over: £65.45
• Couples (including Civil Partnerships):
  • Both aged 18 or over: £102.75

Jobseekers Allowance: Requirements

These are all legal requirements failing to do so can mean your benefits become terminated, sanctioned or prosecuted for benefit fraud.

• Be Actively Seeking Employment: 3 steps per week. (‘Actively‘ means being proactive as far as reasonable of what the average jobseeker would do when looking for employment)
• Be Available for Work: start immediately if offered a job and not doing any activities to make you unavailable for employment (including going away from home for a day).
• Report all Changes in your Circumstances (‘Change of Circumstances’ includes savings, address, marital status, any work undertaken etc)
• Entered into a Jobseekers Agreement
• Is Capable of Work (i.e. not disabled or in a situation where the person cannot work)
• Must be in Great Britain
• Under Pensionable Age
• Must not be working (must declare any work done under 16 hours and sign off once above 16 hours)

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