Understanding Unemployment Benefit
Unemployment benefit has existed in the UK since before the First World War, when mass unemployment reared its head for the first time. In the slump that followed the war, the number of people receiving the benefit rose to two million, which, as the population was 20 million fewer than today, was a far greater proportion of the available workforce.
Today the amount of Jobseeker's Allowance that's given out to unemployed people is dependent on how long they've been working and their circumstances.
Job Seeker's Allowance
The name change to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) was a deliberate attempt to change the image away from the idea of a payment for being unemployed towards a payment to encourage people to look for work.You can claim JSA if you are:
- Available for, capable of, and actively seeking work
- Aged 18 or over but below State Pension age
- Working less than 16 hours per week on average
- Living in Great Britain
Applying for JSA
JSA requires people to attend an interview at your local Jobcentre. You can make an initial application online or by calling the Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688. You will then be involved in drawing up a jobseeker's agreement. This details the steps you've agreed to take in order to find work.To keep getting the allowance you'll have to attend your local Jobcentre fortnightly and undertake job search reviews. If you find that you are refused JSA and believe that you are entitled to it, there is an appeals procedure, which will allow you to question the decision.
Income Support
There is another form of benefit available to those who are not working or are on a Very Low Income, known as Income Support (IS). People who are applicable for IS are often those who are unable to work because they are disabled, caring for someone full-time, or a lone parent.It can also be given to people who are on maternity or paternal leave, or perhaps they are off sick and IS would give them more income than Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Whether IS or JSA applies to an individual would be decided by the Jobcentre and the local Department for Work and Pensions office.
Where to Go for Advice
Benefits can be a real minefield and fortunately there are a number of places you can turn to try and make head or tail of it all. If you have access to a computer and the internet, then the government's website at www.direct.gov.uk is a good place to start. All public services provided by the government are linked by this site. Another good place to start, particularly for people who are beginning to get into trouble because of unemployment, is the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).What Are Freelancers' Rights?
Are you a freelancer looking to claim unemployment benefits? Read our Q&A to find out whether you qualify.
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Comments...
I have been living in France for about 10 years and before worked in the UK for a while.I have moved to Jersey now and have left my job in France (end of contract) Am I aloud to get any unemployment benifits or any help what so ever until I find a job?
Cra - 31 January 2012 @ 1:13 PM
Hi. I moved over to England from Ireland about a year ago. I live with my boyfriend who works full time, and because of this I was told I am not entitled to JSL. The people in the Citizens Advice Bureau seemed to think I was enititled to something. I am still unemployed and finding it very hard to cope. I was wondering if you could give me some information?
Rachel - 24 October 2011 @ 11:56 AM
I currently work 20 hours but am struggling with child care. Not only financially but on a practical basis. I am paying for 15 hours child care and only using 7 hours. I work shifts and have had meetings with my employer to try and change my working pattern but failed. My partner works long days and it is an hour and a half drive to and from work for him so he cant help with child care, he earns 23,000 a year. My parents currently help with child care but are struggling with my working pattern also. If I packed work in to care for my son but was still actively looking for work to better suit child care would I get any benefits?
jems - 11 August 2011 @ 11:37 AM
Your son will not be entitled to receive income support but he could get jobseeker's allowance if he registers with the job centre and is actively looking for employment.
WorkingRights - 1 August 2011 @ 2:04 PM
My son is 17yrs old, and has never been able to find a job, I am unable to support him, and not sure if he can "sign on" ?
mojo - 1 August 2011 @ 1:44 PM
My 18 year old son recently applied for Job Seekers allowance and completed the online application form which took approx 20mins giving details of his part-time job including his earnings. He was then invited in to the Job Centre for an interview, after 15 mins he was told that he couldn't claim Job Seekers as he earnt too much. No where on the website does it mention money only that you can claim job seekers allowance if working less than 16 hours!!. Why invite him to a meeting just to tell him that he's not entitled to it when they had all the information in front of him. There were no offers to help him find full time employment which is what he is wanting. I thought the Job Centre was supposed to encourage youngsters to work not frighten them away.
Skip - 25 July 2011 @ 2:52 PM
My son (a New Zealander) is now 23 and has been living in the UK for 10 years and is on an indefinate leave to remain in the UK visa has never been given unemployment benefit, what are his rights to this?
Robyn - 10 July 2011 @ 5:33 PM
If a person was receiving JSA, and then secured employment but had to work one calender month until being paid their first wage, would that person be entitled to continue receiving JSA for the period without money, until they receive their first wage payment?
Gaz - 1 July 2011 @ 3:44 PM
If you have money in your 'one account' which is Mortgage linked and therefore part of your Mortgage availability, does it affect benefit levels. If yes, the point is it's not actually your money, it is simply an available capital sum from your Mortgage. Can someone clarify.
Quercus - 22 June 2011 @ 8:52 AM
My contract is being terminated by my employer as I have failed to reach mandatory standards to become a manager. I am at present a supervisor, and my position will not exist from July '11. I only work job share, 20 hrs/week. Will I be able to claim unemployment benefit or jobseekers alowance?
JOHN - 20 June 2011 @ 8:54 PM
I'm 60 and will be taking voluntary redundancy from my present job. I still intend to seek employment elsewhere until my state pension kicks in (May 2012). will I be entitled to claim job seekers allowance whilst looking for employment?
RC - 8 June 2011 @ 7:21 PM
I'm 63 will be taking voluntary redundancy from my present job. I still intend to seek employment elsewhere, will I be entitled to claim job seekers allowance whilst looking for employment?
Dixie - 7 June 2011 @ 7:47 AM
Please answer my question. I have been to jobcentre to claim but they say they have to write to my employer to find out why I left. (It was personal) They say I am not realistic about the job want. I have a hospitality degree and speak Spanish, my experience is workinf in 5 Star hotels in london so want the same. Can they make me apply for other lower hotels in my home town in lancashire. I do not think this is fair. I have paids loads in N.I.so surely it's my right. Please advise what to do.
eloise - 2 June 2011 @ 10:57 AM
Why do employees at Job Centres say that you can claim JSA if you are working 16 hours a week or less? Why does your web site say the same thing?Why is this answer given to everyone who wants to claim when the fact is that if you earn more than £5.00 more than the job seekers' allowance you may not claim. My friend works only ten and a half hours a week. He was told he could claim, no problem. On the strength of that, he signed a contract for a flat, claimed rent allowance, council tax benefit. Now he has been told his benefits have been stopped, he is in a total mess with his flat. The reason for this is that he earns £1.00 over the maximum he may earn because he is paid £7.00 per hour. When I complained on his behalf I was told that the staff at the job centre would not know that being paid £7.00 an hour would put him over the limit. WHY DO THEY NOT KNOW?That is quite ridiculous.I now know and discovered this fact in the space of about ten minutes. To work sixteen hours, at a rough estimate, I reckon that one could not earn more than £4.50ish per hour which is below the min imum wage.So, why WHY do you and everyone else use the 16 hour benchmark when the amount earned is the real benchmark?Can anyone in your department give a logical answer to this question?
Disappointed - 30 May 2011 @ 7:42 PM
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