As rules put in place during the pandemic start to relax, other procedures are returning. In line with this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that it is bringing back face-to-face interviews for people claiming New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
During the coronavirus pandemic, claimants had been given the option of phone interviews. Now, as the country begins to return to some semblance of normality, DWP has updated its guidance to state that people making new claims for New Style JSA will now need to attend an in-person interview.
The update comes despite the recent rise in Covid cases. Nottinghamshire hospital trust has reintroduced the need to wear masks in its sites after the number of patients positive for Covid increased by about 250 per cent in a month. East Midlands Ambulance Service is under "extreme pressure" and is currently on the highest level of alert. Experts say the rise in recent weeks is mainly driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron.
READ MORE: Ambulance services in England on 'black alert' with patients stuck outside A&Es
The New Style Jobseeker's Allowance is a fortnightly payment that can be claimed either on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit. Here's the government payment explained, as reported on Birmingham Live.
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance is a benefit providing recipients with money to help cover their everyday living costs while they’re looking for work. It can be claimed along with Universal Credit or separately.
Claimants can receive New Style JSA for up to 182 days. How much you receive will depend on your age and your National Insurance (NI) contributions over the preceding two years.
Who’s eligible?
There are several eligibility criteria for New Style JSA. Firstly, you must be over the age of 16 and below the state pension age (which currently stands at 66 for men and women alike) to be eligible.
You’ll need to either be unemployed or to work an average of less than 16 hours per week. In most cases, you’ll also need to have worked as an employee within the last two or three years, and to have paid or been credited with Class 1 NI contributions.
How to claim New Style JSA
If you’re over 18, you can apply for New Style JSA online. However, if you’re aged 16 or 17, you’ll need to apply by calling Jobcentre Plus.
You’ll be expected to provide personal information including your bank account details and your National Insurance number. You’ll also be asked for your employment details over the last six months, including dates of employment and contact details of recent employers.
Once you’ve made your claim, you will - if you’re eligible - be contacted within 10 days to arrange an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus office. You will be required to attend this interview, and you’ll need to bring documentation including proof of identity and your P45, if you have one.
In addition, you’ll also be expected to take “reasonable steps” to find work, which will be discussed at your appointment. This is what is known as a ‘Claimant Commitment’.
Once you’ve been claiming New Style JSA for 182 days, your DWP work coach will discuss your options with you. However, if your claim is unsuccessful, the DWP will contact you within 10 days to explain why.
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