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UK Job Seeker’s Allowances are financial benefits offered to unemployed or people looking for work opportunities in the UK. There are two types of UP Job seekers allowances such as Income-based and Contribution-based. Under the UK Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), candidates get a weekly allowance or amount, which depends on their age.
The amount paid under the UK Job Seekers Allowance starts from £67.20. Various other benefits offered under this allowance to people looking for jobs which are paid into their bank, building society, or credit union accounts.
To claim JSA you must have worked as an employee and have paid National Insurance contributions. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about UK Job Seekers’ Allowance.
| Name of the scheme | UK Job Seekers Allowance |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Offered by | Department of Work and Pensions, Government of the UK |
| Amount | £67.20 to £84.80 |
| Eligibility | Must have worked as an employee. Should have earned sufficient class 1 National Insurance contributions |
| Official Website | https://www.gov.uk/ |
This Blog Includes:
How to Apply for the UK Job Seekers Allowance
Individuals interested in the UK Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) are required to complete the application process online. UK Job Seekers Allowance will offer you employment for a maximum period of 6 months. At the end of this employment, if you do not find employment or work anywhere else then you are eligible to claim the Universal Credit.
While applying for the JSA, you need to provide some details and documents supporting your application. You need to mention the following details in your application form:
- Your Bank account details or Building Society account details (or any of your family members or friends)
- National Insurance number
- Your employment details for at least 6 months and they must include your previous employer’s contact details and the total number of months you worked there.
Also read – Study in the UK 2023
UK Job Seekers Allowance Eligibility
The Department of Work and Pensions, UK has stated a set of eligibility criteria for the Job Seekers Allowance scheme. To avail of this scheme you must have worked as an employee and should have been paid adequate Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the last 2 years. Moreover, to fulfil the National Insurance conditions, candidates must:
- Not be pursuing any full-time education.
- Be below the State Pension age.
- Not be working as a full-time employee (only employees working less than 16 hours per work are eligible)
- Not have any physical disabilities
- Actively seeking employment
If you are self-employed which comes under the Class 2 National Insurance contributions, it doesn’t count for new-style jobseekers allowance. It’s only applicable to those working as share fishermen and volunteer development workers.
Also read – Types of UK Visa for Indian Students
UK Job Seekers Allowance
There are several benefits offered to individuals through the Job Seekers Allowance. There are weekly rates paid differently to individuals under the Job Seekers Allowance scheme. The table below highlights the details of the amount given under this scheme.
| Category | Weekly Stipend |
| Candidates aged 24 or below | £67.20 (INR 7000) |
| Candidates aged 25 or above | £84.80 (INR 8850) |
These amounts are paid every 2 weeks. Also, candidates won’t be paid any amount for the first 7 days of their claim. This means that their first payment will be less than what they will receive later.
What Job Will You Do?
Candidates are required to book an interview with a coach from Job Centre Plus after they’ve made a claim by filling out the application form. The interview can be either on call or you might be called at any local Jobcentre office. Candidates are required to discuss their plans in the interview claiming to find work and also to make a commitment to follow the terms and conditions for looking for work.
After you’ve claimed the UK Job Seekers Allowance for the first 4 weeks, you will have the option to limit the type of work you are looking for from any similar job or you can limit the rate of pay which you were being paid previously. After 4 weeks (28 days), if you are not successful in finding any expected employment, you need to work at any available job at the given price.
The working hours under this scheme will be nearly 35 hours per week. Also, if you are responsible for taking care of a child below 16 years of age or any physically handicapped child or adult, you might have the option to limit these working hours and take care of them.
FAQs
UK Job Seekers Allowance is an unemployment assistance offered to unemployed citizens of the UK who are seeking employment. Candidates seeking the Job Seekers Allowance are required to provide evidence or proof that they are actively seeking employment and can take part in any job paying then reasonable amount.
To become eligible for Job Seekers Allowance you must fulfill the following conditions such as not be pursuing any full-time education, be below the State Pension age, not be working as a full-time employee, and not have any physical disabilities.
The New-Jobseekers Allowance will pay you £67.20 weekly if you are 24 years old or below 24. Those who are 25 years old or above are paid £84.80 weekly.
The Department of Work and Pensions, launched the UK Job Seekers Allowance to assist unemployed people financially for a maximum period of 6 months. Candidates who fulfill all the requirements can apply for this allowance scheme by visiting the official website.
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