Means testing for JSA

When you go on jsa everybody is called for an interview to access your means, they will look for bank statement for the last 6-12 months.

The vast majority of new claims for Jobseekers Allowance are referred to an inspector for means assessment but on some rare occasions people are put into payment without a means test in what's called an Interim Jobseekers Allowance claim i.e. the office is satisfied you have clearly have no means at claim stage. It's rare though.

It does you no harm to supply absolutely everything when you make you initially make you claim. Proof of identity - passport, proof of address - utility bill, rent details, P45, recent bank statements (most offices look for either 3 or 6 months), details of shares/investments, self-employment details. Depending on your age if under 25 or living arrangements with a partner, you will need to supply parent's/partner's financial details too.

If you are called for a means test it will either take place in the office or the inspector will call to your home, usually 50/50 chance either way. In normal circumstances you should be seen within 3 weeks for a means test but it can take anything from a best 1 week to an extreme 8 weeks to be seen by an inspector. It depends on which inspector you get as claims are distributed to them based on which streets/areas they cover within the local offfice district. Some make an effort to be on top of their workloads but some just don't care and take their time.

If you think you will be financially stuck for the duration of the Jobseekers Allowance claim process you are entitled to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance from your local Community Welfare Officer. You will still undergo a similar means test but this process is far quicker and would tide you over until your Social Welfare claim is approved.