Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook 2024/25Part 1: Benefits and tax creditsChapter 8: Jobseeker's allowance 5. Claiming jobseeker's allowance
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5. Claiming jobseeker’s allowance
New claims cannot be made for income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA).
You start your claim for contribution-based JSA online (see gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/apply-new-style-jsa).
You are usually given an appointment for an interview. Claim as soon as you can, as JSA can only be backdated in limited circumstances.
Couples
If you are a full-time student but your partner is not, they can get JSA for both of you if they are eligible for JSA.1Sch A1 JSA Regs; Vol 6, para 30245 DMG Only your partner must continue to sign on and look for work. Similarly, your partner can get JSA for both of you if you are not yet a full-time student, but you have applied for, or been accepted on, a course.
 
1     Sch A1 JSA Regs; Vol 6, para 30245 DMG »