UK Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Calculator

New Style JSA is a contribution-based benefit worth £90.50/week (2026-27, age 25+) for up to 26 weeks if you've paid enough Class 1 NICs in the last 2 tax years. Calculate your entitlement and how it affects Universal Credit.

Different rates under 25
Out of 26-week max for New Style JSA
2026-27 rate from gov.uk
2026-27 rate
Above £20/week deducted £1-for-£1
—
Estimated Weekly JSA
—
Total Remaining (max)
—
Weeks Remaining
—
Ad Space

What Is Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)?

Jobseeker's Allowance is a UK government benefit for people who are unemployed, available for work, and actively looking for a job. There are two distinct schemes per gov.uk JSA guidance:

  • New Style JSA — contribution-based, paid for up to 26 weeks. Requires sufficient Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the last 2 tax years. Not means-tested on savings or partner's income.
  • Income-based JSA — closed to new claims since 2018. Replaced by Universal Credit for new applicants.

Most current claims are New Style JSA. The 2026-27 weekly rates are £90.50 (age 25+) and £71.70 (under 25), uprated each April per Treasury decision. If you have a partner or children and need help with rent/childcare, claim Universal Credit alongside.

Eligibility — Three Key Tests

Per HMRC and DWP rules, you must:

  1. Be unemployed or working under 16 hours/week.
  2. Be actively seeking work. Sign a Claimant Commitment, attend Jobcentre appointments, prove job search. Failure can lead to sanctions reducing or stopping payments.
  3. NIC contribution test. For New Style JSA, you need to have paid Class 1 NICs in BOTH of the 2 tax years before claiming. Self-employed Class 2 NICs do NOT count for JSA.

Self-employed workers, carers, students, or those without sufficient NIC history typically must claim Universal Credit instead.

JSA + Universal Credit — Stacking Rules

You can claim both New Style JSA and Universal Credit at the same time. Per gov.uk Universal Credit rules, JSA payments are deducted £1-for-£1 from your UC monthly amount — meaning the total stays the same but you get JSA contribution-based protection (it doesn't count savings) plus UC's housing/childcare elements. After 26 weeks, JSA stops, UC continues.

Part-Time Earnings and Sanctions

You can earn up to £20/week without affecting JSA. Above £20, earnings are deducted £1-for-£1 from your weekly JSA. If your earnings exceed your JSA rate, payments stop entirely. Sanctions apply if you miss appointments, refuse suitable work, or fail to follow your Claimant Commitment — typically 1, 4, 13 or 26 weeks of zero or reduced payments per gov.uk sanctions framework.

Sources: gov.uk Jobseeker's Allowance (gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance), DWP rates 2026-27, HMRC NIC rules, Universal Credit Regulations 2013. Last updated 2026-05.

Ad Space