DWP announce major New Style JSA change affecting…

DWP announce major New Style JSA change affecting every new claimant

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major change for people claiming New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).

The UK Government department revealed that new claimants will now be required to attend face-to-face interviews at their local Jobcentre in order to receive the benefit.

The new guidance released on the GOV.UK website also reveals a list of documents claimants will need to bring with them in order to verify their identity. Failing to take these may mean your claim cannot be processed.

New Style JSA is a benefit available to people who are unemployed or who work less than 16 hours per week and who are looking for work. It is paid every two weeks and can be claimed in addition to Universal Credit.

It is a contribution based benefit, which in most cases means you will be able to claim it if you have paid sufficient National Insurance (NI) contributions in the two years prior to a claim. National Insurance credits can also be counted.

Those who qualify for New Style JSA can claim the benefit for as much as 182 days. After this, you will be informed of your options by your dedicated work coach.

Important to note is that if you claim both New Style JSA and Universal Credit, money you receive through the former will be counted as income for the latter.

As reported by the Daily Record, here is a roundup of all the key information you need to know about New Style JSA.

Who should claim New Style JSA?

When claiming New Style JSA, your savings and capital (as well as your partner's) are not taken into consideration. However, your earnings and any potential pension payments may affect how much you get.

While in receipt of the benefit, you will be awarded Class 1 National Insurance credits. These can help boost your State Pension in the future.

The UK Government website has a helpful table that displays what you may be eligible to claim, which can be viewed here.

Eligibility for New Style JSA

In order to qualify for New Style JSA, in most cases you must have been working for the two to three years prior to your claim. In addition, you normally must have paid (or been credited with) Class 1 National Insurance contributions.

You will also need to be either unemployed, or employed but work under 16 hours per week. You will be required to take reasonable steps to look for employment.

Those who have an illness or disability that prevents them from working cannot claim New Style JSA, but may be eligible for ‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

How to claim New Style JSA

When applying for New Style JSA, you will have to have the following:

National Insurance number
Bank or building society account details (or those of a family member or trusted friend)
Employment details for the past 6 months, including employer contact details and dates you worked with them
Private pension statement letter

After you make your claim

If you applied for the benefit online, you will receive a text or an email confirming that your claim was submitted. You will then hear from the DWP within the next 10 days.

If you qualify for New Style JSA, the DWP will get in touch to arrange an interview at your nearest Jobcentre Plus. You must attend this.

You will also have to bring certain documents to the interview, including your P45 if you have one and three additional documents confirming your identity. Learn more about what documents are accepted here.