Do I have to go to the Jobcentre to claim JSA?

Jobcentre Plus now encourages everyone to apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) online. You can apply here. If you can’t apply online, you can call them on 0800 055 6688 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. They can send you the claim forms, including one called ‘Helping you back to work.’

You’ll then have to attend a new jobseeker interview at the Jobcentre. In exceptional circumstances, you can post the completed forms to the job centre instead of attending a new jobseeker interview, but the interview must still be carried out in person as soon as possible after this. The exceptional circumstances are where:

• Attendance at the jobcentre would mean you were away from home for more than eight hours.
• You can provide an understandable reason why you’re unable to reach the jobcentre.
• The jobcentre is closed to the public due to an unforeseen event.

Once you’ve been granted JSA you’ll be expected to attend the job centre at least once every two weeks for an interview. This is to satisfy them that you have been actively seeking work. It’s very important that you attend all these appointments (or let them know in advance if you have a good reason for not going) otherwise you could get your benefit stopped for a period of time.