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Information on unemployment in the UK when you are preparing Moving To The UK, which you may need
Unemployment benefit is called Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). To be eligible a person must be capable, available and actively seeking work. Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions, administers jobseeker’s Allowance. There are two types of Jobseeker’s Allowance:
Contributions-based JSA (JSA C)
This is paid to people who have paid sufficient National Insurance Contributions (NI) in a two-year period prior to the tax year in which they wish to claim in. It is paid for a maximum of 26 weeks and the amount claimed is dependent on age i.e. In 2010 a person aged over 25 could claim £65.45 per week. If you have recently come to the UK from overseas, you may not have sufficient NI contributions to qualify. However, periods of insurance or employment in EEA member states may be used to help you qualify, as long as you have since become insured under the UK scheme. You will need an E301/U1 form to do this. You can apply for this form from the relevant institution in your home country.
Transferring benefit overseas
If you are claiming unemployment benefit in another EEA country and want to continue your claim in the UK, you need to get an E303 /U2 form from the relevant institution in your home country (this is normally the social security department). You should take it to the nearest Jobcentre Plus office in the UK within 14 days. You can be paid for up to 3 months and will be paid at the same rate of benefit as you were paid in your home country. This can only be done with Contribution-based JSA.
Income-based JSA (JSA IB): You may be eligible for this if you have not paid enough NI contributions and are on a low income. If you have savings worth more than £16,000 or have a partner who works an average of more than 24 hours per week you will probably not be entitled. If you have savings of over £6000 or if you have a partner who works less than 24 hours per week, this will affect how much income-based JSA you can receive. A single person’s rate of JSA IB is £65.45 if aged 25+, if under 25, the rate is £51.85. You may also be able to get money towards certain housing costs and for your family. There is no time limit to claiming Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
For both these benefits, you will be required to make an initial claim. In some parts of the UK, you can claim on-line and in other areas you will have to attend your local Jobcentre Plus office. You will be asked to provide proof of identity, wage slips and proof of savings. Following this, you will be asked to attend your local Jobcentre Plus office each fortnight on a specific day and time, to inform staff of any work done, and tell them about your job-search activity. They will ask you to provide your ‘signature to confirm your attendance. If you are entitled to a benefit payment, this will be paid to you 3 days later, normally into your bank account.
Text last edited on: 10/2010
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