Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Your JSA interview
If you鈥檙e invited to an interview, you must attend. It will be at your local Jobcentre Plus office.
You鈥檒l be asked some questions to confirm your identity and then you鈥檒l make an agreement about what steps you鈥檒l take to look for work.
Documents you need to bring to your interview
You鈥檒l need to bring all of the following:
- one photographic proof of identity
- one proof of address
- one further proof of identity
If you have a P45 from your employer, bring this to your interview. When you present it, tell your work coach if you鈥檝e already received or claimed a tax refund from HMRC for the current tax year.
You can also use your P45 as your further proof of identity.
Photographic proof of identity
Examples include your:
- current passport
- driving licence
- eVisa - or expired biometric residence permit (BRP) if you do not have an eVisa
- certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen
- permanent residence permit
Proof of address
Examples include a:
- payslip or pension statement dated within the last 6 months
- utility bill dated within the last 6 months
- Council Tax bill dated within the last 6 months
- student loan documentation
Further proof of identity
Examples include your:
- P60
- savings account book
- personal cheque book
- current debit, credit or store card with a statement confirming the card details
Utility bills can be used for proof of address and as further proof of identity if they are from different suppliers.
Read the complete list of documents you can bring to your interview.
Support at your interview
You can take someone with you to your JSA interview.
before the interview if you need:
- support because of a disability or health condition (for example, if you鈥檙e deaf and need a sign language interpreter)
- a foreign language interpreter and do not have someone who can help with interpretation
Sign an agreement to look for work (鈥楥laimant Commitment鈥�)
At your JSA interview, you must sign an agreement about what steps you鈥檒l take to look for a job. This is called a 鈥楥laimant Commitment鈥�.
You and your work coach will agree what goes in your Claimant Commitment. This could include:
- what you need to do to look for work - for example registering with recruitment agencies, writing a CV
- how many hours you need to spend looking for work each week
What you agree to do will depend on things like:
- your health
- your responsibilities at home
- how much help you need to get work or increase your income
Your JSA might be reduced or stopped if you do not do what you鈥檝e agreed to in your Claimant Commitment and you cannot give a good reason
After your JSA interview
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you to either:
- let you know you are eligible for JSA and how much you鈥檒l get
- explain why you鈥檙e not eligible for JSA
You will not need to do what you鈥檝e agreed in your Claimant Commitment if you鈥檙e not eligible for JSA.