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Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance? To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be: • available for, capable of and actively seeking work • aged 18 or over but below State Pension age • working less than 16 hours per week on average, depending on the amount of your wage • in Great Britain Jobseeker's Allowance isn't normally paid to 16 or 17 year olds, except in special cases. If you’re a man who has reached the Pension Credit qualifying age, you may be able to claim Pension Credit. Contact Jobcentre Plus for advice. The minimum age you can get Pension Credit is gradually increasing to 65 alongside the increase in women’s State Pension age. The government has announced proposals for increasing State Pension age. Under the new proposals, women’s State Pension age will increase more quickly to 65 between April 2016 and November 2018. Between December 2018 and April 2020, the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 65 to 66. Changes to the State Pension age are likely to affect the Pension Credit qualifying age. • Find your local Job centre Plus office • Benefits for young people • Understanding Pension Credit How it works There are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance, 'contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance' and 'income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'. Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance You may be entitled to claim contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs). Jobcentre Plus can pay this for up to 182 days. Generally, self-employed contributions will not help you qualify for contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough NICs (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income. Please read 'National Insurance - the basics' for more information about National Insurance contributions. • National Insurance-the basics How to claim Claim online • Apply online for Jobseeker’s Allowance Claim by phone Call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688. There's a Welsh language line on 0800 012 1888, and a textphone 0800 023 4888 if you find it hard to speak or hear clearly. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. What happens next Attending the Jobcentre When you claim Jobseeker's Allowance, you'll need to attend an interview at the Jobcentre. An adviser will help you draw up a 'jobseeker's agreement'. This will set out the steps you agree to take to find work. 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. For more information about the help you can get to find work, visit: • Benefits and help when looking for work Changes in your circumstances You must tell Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible about any changes in your circumstances, as it may affect your benefit. • Changes that effect your benefit