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Jobseeker's Allowance

What is Jobseeker's Allowance?

Jobseeker's Allowance is the main benefit for people who are out of work. If you are eligible it is paid when you don't have a job and are looking for work.

There are 2 types of Jobseeker's Allowance:

  • The first is called 'Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance'. You may get Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance if you have paid or been credited with class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions in the relevant tax years. Self employed contributions will not generally qualify you for Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
  • The other is based on your income and savings. This is called 'Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'.

What are the benefit rates?

Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance

  • Person aged 16-17: £47.95
  • Person aged 18-24: £47.95
  • Person aged 25 or over: £60.50

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Personal allowances - single people Rate

  • Person aged 16-17: £47.95
  • Person aged 18-24: £47.95
  • Person aged 25 or over: £60.50

Personal allowances - couple Rate

  • Both aged 16-17: £47.95
  • Both aged 16/17, one disabled: £47.95
  • Both aged 16/17, with responsibility for a child: £72.35
  • One aged 16/17, one aged 18-24: £47.95
  • One aged 16/17, one aged over 25: £60.50
  • Both aged 18 or over: £94.95

Lone parents Rate

  • Aged 16-17: £47.95
  • or depending on their circumstances: £47.95
  • Aged 18 or over: £60.50

Dependent children Rate

  • Payable from birth up to the day before their 20th birthday: £52.59

Most families in receipt of Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance receive support for their children through Child Tax Credit. A decision will be made on transferring the remaining cases in due course. Find out more about Child Tax Credit.

What do I need to do next?

Call 0800 055 6688 (8am - 6pm Monday to Friday). A textphone service is available if you have a speech or hearing impairment 0800 023 4888.

PDF icon Jobseeker's Allowance (274.46kb)

Get help with PDF's

Claim Online

You can claim Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit online

   


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