Benefits based on your National Insurance contributions
Last updated: 30/03/2022
If you have made the necessary National Insurance contributions you may get new style Jobseeker’s Allowance or new style Employment and Support Allowance if you stop working.
If you are not sure if you have made enough National Insurance contributions to qualify for new style Jobseeker’s Allowance or new style Employment and Support Allowance you can claim Universal Credit at the same time and will receive whatever one you are entitled to. New style Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance are generally not based on your income, or affected by it, unlike Universal Credit.
Both new style Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance come under the same rules as Universal Credit so you will be expected to do some work related tasks to get them. You will also need to have a health assessment for new style Employment and Support Allowance.
How much is new style Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance?
new style Jobseeker’s Allowance weekly rates:
Single parents aged 16 or 17: £61.05
Single parents aged 18 and over: £77.00
new style Employment and Support Allowance weekly rates:
Single parent aged 16 or 17: £61.05
Single parent 18 and over: £77.00
Additional support component: £40.60
How to apply
new style Jobseeker’s Allowance
You can apply online or call Jobcentre Plus if you need help.
Call Jobcentre Plus: 0800 055 66 88
Textphone: 0800 023 4888
Claim online: http://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance
new style Employment and Support Allowance
You can apply on-line or call the Universal Credit Helpline if you need help. You also need to give Jobcentre Plus a medical certificate from your doctor.
Universal Credit Helpline (Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm):
Telephone: 0800 328 5644 (choose option 2)
Textphone: 0800 328 1344 (choose option 2)
Claim on-line: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
