New Style Jobseeker鈥檚 Allowance: what you need to tell us if you do any work
Updated 15 September 2023
漏 Crown copyright 2023
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You must tell Jobcentre Plus if you do any work while you鈥檙e getting New Style Jobseeker鈥檚 Allowance (JSA).
Your benefit might be reduced or stopped if you do not report a change straight away.
You cannot usually get New Style JSA if you work 16 hours or more a week on average, unless you work in certain jobs.
If you work for less than 16 hours a week, you may be able to get New Style JSA, but the amount you get may be reduced.
What to do if you do any work
If you attend regular appointments at the jobcentre
You will need to:
- take your pay slips to the appointment
- fill in a form at your appointment with your work coach to tell us about any work you have done in the last 2 weeks
If you do not attend appointments at the jobcentre
You will need to ask your work coach to send you a 鈥榙eclaration of work鈥� form and B7 form for each job you have. Fill in the forms and send them back to the jobcentre with your pay slips.
What you need to tell us
When you complete the forms about the work you鈥檝e done, you鈥檒l need to tell us:
- your employer鈥檚 name, address and phone number
- the dates that you worked
- the number of hours and minutes you worked each week
- how often you were paid
- the date or dates you were paid
- how much you earned before any deductions
- the amount of deductions for things like tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, union subscriptions and child maintenance payments
- if your employer gave you any money for anything else, and if they did, how much and what the money was for (for example bus or train fares or work expenses)
You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.
If you work regularly
If you work regularly, your work coach will tell you if you can reduce the amount of information you need to provide each time.
How earnings affect New Style JSA
You usually can earn up to 拢5 a week before your earnings affect your new Style聽JSA. Earnings over 拢5, after deductions for things like tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, will reduce your New Style聽JSA.
For example, if you earn 拢50.25 a week, after deductions for things like tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, your New Style JSA will be reduced by 拢45.25.
If you work in certain jobs
You can earn up to 拢20 a week before your earnings affect your new Style JSA if you鈥檙e:
- a part-time fire-fighter
- an auxiliary coastguard working for coastal rescue services
- a part-time lifeboat crew member or are involved in launching a lifeboat
- a member of the armed forces or reserve forces
- a share fisherman
Earnings over 拢20, after deductions for things like tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, will reduce your New Style JSA.
For example, if you earn 拢50.25 a week, after deductions for things like tax, National Insurance and pension contributions, your New Style JSA will be reduced by 拢30.25.
When you can work 16 hours or more
You may still be able to get New Style JSA if you work 16 hours or more a week on average and any of the following apply:
- you work for a charity or voluntary organisation or are a volunteer and the only payment you get is for expenses
- you鈥檙e on a training scheme and get a training allowance
- you鈥檙e a part-time fire-fighter
- you work as an auxiliary coastguard for coastal rescue services
- you work as a part-time lifeboat crew member or are involved in launching a lifeboat
- you鈥檙e a member of the armed forces or reserve forces
- you鈥檙e a local councillor
- you鈥檙e paid to be a foster parent
- you鈥檙e paid to provide respite care
- you get funding to take part in sport
- you鈥檙e on a work experience programme