Hardship Payments - How do I claim Jobseeker's Allowance hardship payments?

You should ask in the Jobcentre Plus office for form JSA/ESA10JP, 'Jobseeker's allowance hardship application form and explain your grounds for applying for a hardship payment in the form.

If you are only getting contributory JSA you will also need to complete form JSA3 to establish your entitlement to income-based JSA.

When you apply for a hardship payment make sure you explain anything that is causing  you hardship, or makes it more likely  that you will experience  hardship. This includes health, disability, pregnancy and any special needs you and your partner and children have.

When deciding whether you would experience hardship the decision maker must consider such matters as;

• If you or your partner or child included in your claim qualify for a disability premium.
• Whether there is a ‘substantial risk’ that you or your partner, or a child included in your claim would be without essential items for example: food, clothes, heating or accommodation.

The decision makers must also take into account any resources likely to be available to you this includes income and capital that is disregarded when calculating your benefit for example:  Disability Living Allowance and savings below £6000.

You should not be treated as having resources if these are only available on credit, or you would have to sell any of your possessions.