JSA - How often can you apply?

adamL

Hello,

We are slightly confused by the JSA and how often we can apply for it. By we, I am referring to my wife. She was employed for 12 years at the same place but sadly was let go in November 2024.

She claimed JSA from November 2024 to February 2025 (about 3 months total), at which point she picked up a 4 month fixed term contract job in her industry (that we had hoped would turn into a permanent role - but sadly we now know it won't). 

So, can she apply for JSA again in June 2025? 

There's a good chance that she will once again pick up another fixed term contract job as full time permanent roles in her industry are few and far between at the moment. Can anyone explain in the simplest of ways possible how often JSA can be claimed (the only thing I can work out is that there is a maximum of a 6 month claim but per what, I don't understand). 

We hoped we would never be in this position but sadly we are and cannot wait for her to have a permanent role again (or to figure out a self employed route instead).

Thank you for any help. 

huckster

From the first Sunday in January each year JSA looks at different tax years to check eligibility. So in November last year, the tax years considered were 21/22 & 22/23.  From 5th January 2025 the tax years considered are 22/23 & 23/24.

So dependent on NI record your wife may qualify for a new claim period of 6 months.

adamL

Thank you. She has an unbroken NI record from about June 2012 to November 2024 (and way above the minimum £800-900 per year requirement). So hopefully that means she can claim again if needed in June 2025.

Still hoping we don't need to claim again - and this has to be the last time. We need a Plan B if we can't get a permenant role as this on/off employment doesn't work for us. 

Thank you