Care and support

Jobseeker's allowance (JSA)

There are 2 types of jobseeker's allowance:

• contribution-based jobseeker's allowance - you must have paid enough national insurance contributions. You can get it for 6 months. The amount you get depends on your age;
• income-based jobseeker's allowance - this is means-tested and worked out like income support.

For both types of jobseeker's allowance, you must be capable of, available for, and actively seeking work.

If you are pregnant, you do not have to be available for work from the 11th week before the week that the baby is due and for 7 weeks after the birth. During this time, you can claim income support or incapacity benefit (see above). Outside this time, you should claim jobseeker’s allowance if you are fit for work. If you are too ill to work, claim income support or incapacity benefit with a medical certificate from your doctor.

Claim jobseekers allowance by phoning the jobcentre plus contact centre on 0800 055 6688.

Work Focused Interviews (WFI)

You and your partner, if you have one, may also be required to attend a 'work focused interview' as a condition for getting some benefits. The requirement to attend an interview may be 'waived' or 'deferred' if it is considered that it would not be of assistance or appropriate to you. Seek advice if this applies to you.'

NB if you are claiming maternity allowance you will not be required to attend a work focused interview.