What is Contribution-Based JSA?

Contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) is paid if you are unemployed and seeking work, and if you have paid full Class 1 National Insurance contributions in the past two years.

It is not limited by your savings or assets, but may be reduced if you have a regular income.

You can only claim contribution-based JSA for 26 weeks, or less if you have paid NI contributions for less than two years. After this time you can claim income-based JSA instead