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GrantUK-wide

New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Department for Work and Pensions (Department for Communities in Northern Ireland)

Description

A contribution-based fortnightly payment for people who are unemployed or working under 16 hours/week and actively looking for work, paid regardless of savings or a partner's income — unlike the now-closed income-based JSA. Can be claimed alongside Universal Credit if you also qualify for that.

Amount

£75.65/week (under 25) or £95.55/week (25 or over), paid fortnightly, for a maximum of 182 days per claim — 2026/27 rates, verified directly against gov.uk in this pass (September 2026).

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

  • Available across the whole UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
  • Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.
Notes
Income-based JSA closed to new claims and existing claimants on 1 April 2026, as part of the final phase of DWP's managed migration to Universal Credit — anyone without enough NI contributions for New Style JSA should claim Universal Credit instead (the two can also be claimed together, since New Style JSA counts as income within a UC award rather than replacing it). Paid for a maximum of 182 days (about 6 months) per claim. Northern Ireland runs this under its own separate-but-parity legislation via the Department for Communities.
Requirement
Aged 18 or over (16–17 in limited circumstances) and under State Pension age; unemployed or working under 16 hours/week; capable of, available for, and actively seeking work; sufficient Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the relevant two tax years.

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How to apply

Apply online at gov.uk (or by phone if you can't apply online); you'll need to accept a 'claimant commitment' at a jobcentre interview and stay in regular contact with a work coach.

View official source

Last verified: 2 September 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.