Website of the UK government

Benefits if you're unemployed

Benefits adviser

Use the online benefits adviser to get an estimate of the benefits you may get. You can also find out how a change in your circumstances may affect your benefits, for example if you start work or increase your hours of work.

• Benefits adviser

Jobseeker's Allowance

To find out about Jobseeker's Allowance, who can get it and how to claim online go to Jobseeker's Allowance.

• Jobseeker's Allowance

Help looking for work

New jobseeker interview

When you claim Jobseeker's Allowance, you'll need to attend an interview at the Jobcentre. This is called a 'new jobseeker interview'.

• Download 'Find your way back to work - Day 1' (PDF, 684K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

A Jobcentre Plus adviser will talk to you about the extra help that may be available to you, such as:

• access to specialist help for things like writing a CV, preparation for interviews, confidence building and work skills
• help to look for work if you haven’t had experience of looking for a job for some time
• help if you're looking for professional or executive jobs
• help with reading, maths or with your English
• information about improving your skills to suit the type of jobs available locally
• help with one-off expenses that might help you get back to work quickly, such as the cost of buying formal clothes for an interview

This support depends on your circumstances, and what's available in your area.

• Download 'Find your way back to work by improving your skills (England only)' (PDF, 923K) Opens new window

• Download 'Find your way back to work by improving your skills (Scotland only)' (PDF, 299K) Opens new window

• Download 'Find your way back to work by improving your skills (Wales only) (PDF, 710K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Jobseeker reviews

To keep getting benefit you'll have to attend regular jobsearch reviews, usually every fortnight. There's a longer review if you've been getting benefit for 13 weeks.

• Download 'Find your way back to work - your 13 week review meeting' (PDF, 707K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Your reviews cover:

• what you have been doing to find work (you should keep a record)
• changes you might need to make to improve your chances of success
• any additional help you think you need

After six months

If you’re still out of work after six months, you’ll be asked to attend a 'restart interview' with a personal adviser.

• Download 'Find your way back to work - your 26 week review meeting' (PDF, 686K) Opens new window

• Download 'Find your way back to work - your 26 week review meeting' (Scotland only) (PDF, 686K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

This interview is to make sure:

• you're doing all you can to find work
• Jobcentre Plus are giving you the help you need

Your personal adviser will tell you about any extra help you can get. This depends on your circumstances and what’s available in your area. It can include:

• access to jobs where an employer gets a £1,000 recruitment subsidy and support to provide you with in work training
• help to start your own business or become self-employed, including financial help and specialist advice
• the training that's available if you need to improve your skills, or develop new ones that will increase your job prospects
• voluntary work you could do while seeking full time work. Volunteering helps you keep your skills up to date or gain new skills and experience that will help you

You may also get help and support through the New Deal programme. This is for people out of work for six months or more.

• New Deal (employment section)

Benefits when you go back to work

When you return to work, some of your benefits will carry on for a short while. You may be able to get other benefits and support once you're working. See 'Benefits and help when going back to work' to find out more.

• Benefits and help when going back to work

• Download 'The benefits of working leaflet' (PDF, 2.06MB) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

More useful links

• 'Employed or looking for work' benefits information

• Information and advice if you're looking for work (employment section)