Income-based JSA is worked out by comparing your needs with your resources (ie any income or capital you have). If you are a single person, only your needs and resources are relevant. If you are one of a couple, the needs and resources of both of you are relevant.

Set amounts for different needs are added together to reach the total amount the law says you need to live on. This is called your ‘applicable amount’. Any income you have (worked out under set rules) is deducted from your applicable amount. This leaves the amount of income-based JSA you are entitled to. The calculation follows the same steps as for income-related employment and support allowance (see Chapter 20(5)).

If you meet the contribution-based conditions – You are paid contribution-based JSA if you meet the contribution conditions (see Chapter 13(7)). Your income-based JSA is also worked out and if this exceeds the contribution-based JSA, the extra is paid as a top-up.