The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an important update for anyone making a claim for New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). In an update on the official JSA section of the Gov.co.uk website, it states that the time it takes for DWP to contact you after you apply for New Style JSA has changed from within 10 days to within 14 days.
The change could result in a slightly longer wait for your claim to be processed as it may potentially push back the Jobcentre interview to verify your identity back by four days. The updated guidance also includes a list of documents people will need to take along with them to their interview to prove their identity and address to ensure their claim for financial support can be processed.
If you are unemployed or work less than 16 hours a week on average you may be able to get New Style JSA. It is a fortnightly payment that can be claimed on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit and is a contribution-based benefit, normally, this means you may be able to get it if you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions, usually in the two full tax years before the year you are claiming in - National Insurance credits can also count.
