How much is Jobseeker's Allowance?

For people aged 18 to State Pension age who are out of work or working under 16 hours a week and have paid enough National Insurance.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Official figures may have changed. Check the source.

New Style JSA is up to £75.65 a week if you're 24 or under, or £95.55 if you're 25 or over. You can get it for up to 182 days (about 6 months).

You'll agree a Claimant Commitment to look for work.
Payments can be reduced or stopped if you don't stick to it.
First payment can take up to 3 weeks; then every 2 weeks.
You can't apply for income-based JSA any more; apply for Universal Credit instead.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to £95.55 a week (25+)
Up to 182 days
Paid every 2 weeks

New Style JSA rates for 2026/27

Age	Per week
Under 25	£75.65
25 or over	£95.55

New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is usually paid every 2 weeks. In 2025/26 the rates were £72.90 and £92.05.

Who can get it

You can usually get New Style JSA if you:

are 18 or over and under State Pension age
are unemployed, or work less than 16 hours a week on average
are able to work and actively looking for work
have paid enough Class 1 National Insurance, usually in the last 2 full tax years (some National Insurance credits can also count)

Your savings and your partner's savings do not affect your claim.

How long it lasts

New Style JSA is paid for up to 182 days (about 6 months). After that, you may be able to claim Universal Credit if you are still on a low income.

What you have to do

You agree a Claimant Commitment with a work coach at the Jobcentre. It sets out what you will do to look for work, such as applying for jobs and attending appointments. If you do not stick to it without a good reason, your payment can be reduced (a sanction).

JSA and Universal Credit

You can get New Style JSA and Universal Credit together if you are on a low income. Any New Style JSA you get is taken into account as income for Universal Credit, so it reduces your Universal Credit. Income-based JSA is closed to new claims.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP). Rates usually change every April.
Jobseeker's Allowance: eligibility (GOV.UK)
Jobseeker's Allowance: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance guidance (GOV.UK)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for New Style JSA

Common questions

Can I get Universal Credit too?

Yes, you could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead.

Source: Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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