Unemployment Benefits in United Kingdom

At a glance

New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Department for Work and Pensions, through Jobcentre Plus

0800 055 6688

Jobcentre Plus new benefit claims (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)

Apply on the official site

The job market in United Kingdom

4.4%

unemployed, January to March 2026

13.3%

of 15 to 24-year-olds

4.6%

a year earlier: it has fallen

The International Labour Organization's estimates put United Kingdom 81st lowest of 183 countries for unemployment in 2025; the world's rate was 4.9%.

United Kingdom's unemployment rate over the years · every country, ranked

What to do first

Register with the public employment service, Jobcentre Plus. Official page
Apply for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA): claim online, then attend an interview at the local Jobcentre Plus office, where a Claimant Commitment is agreed. Official page
Keep up with the job-search rule while you claim (below), and keep a record of where you applied.
Search the government's job listings on Find a job. Official page
See whether you can get Universal Credit. Official page
Questions: call 0800 055 6688 (Jobcentre Plus new benefit claims (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)).

New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

How much. Up to £75.65 a week (up to 24); up to £95.55 a week (25 or over).

For how long. Up to 182 days (about 6 months).

How to claim. Claim online, then attend an interview at the local Jobcentre Plus office, where a Claimant Commitment is agreed.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Looking for work while you claim

Claimants agree a Claimant Commitment with their work coach (which may set hours a week to spend looking for work) and must show the work coach what they have done to look for work, such as proof of applications and interviews.

Reporting. At work coach appointments, every 1 to 2 weeks.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Keep my work search record for United Kingdom

Free. It lists where you applied and what else you did to look for work, each line ready to copy into the form you report on. It is your own record: we send nothing to any government.

Help finding work

The public employment service: Jobcentre Plus
The government's job listings: Find a job

Universal Credit

Monthly means-tested payment; the standard allowance for a single person is £338.58 under 25 and £424.90 aged 25 or over.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Who to call

Jobcentre Plus new benefit claims (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm): 0800 055 6688.

From an official page, read October 26, 2026.

Questions

Is there unemployment benefit in United Kingdom?

Yes: New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), paid by Department for Work and Pensions, through Jobcentre Plus.

How much is unemployment benefit in United Kingdom?

Up to £75.65 a week (up to 24); up to £95.55 a week (25 or over).

How long does unemployment benefit last in United Kingdom?

Up to 182 days (about 6 months).

How do I claim unemployment benefit in United Kingdom?

Claim online, then attend an interview at the local Jobcentre Plus office, where a Claimant Commitment is agreed.

Do I have to look for work while I claim in United Kingdom?

Who do I call about unemployment in United Kingdom?

Jobcentre Plus new benefit claims (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm): 0800 055 6688.

Where can I get help finding a job in United Kingdom?

The public employment service is Jobcentre Plus. The government lists jobs on Find a job.

Nearby countries

Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland Guernsey Iceland Ireland Isle of Man Jersey Latvia Lithuania Norway Svalbard & Jan Mayen Sweden Åland Islands

Where this comes from

Every part of this page was read on an official website, and each links the page it came from and the day we checked it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any government and cannot see or change a claim.