Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what formula is used to determine the figures for the JSA Applicable Amount as set out in regulations 83 and 84 (1) of Schedule 1 on Applicable Amount Part 1 Personal Allowances in the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996.

The “applicable amount” for Jobseeker’s Allowance is set each year by the government after a review of the level of benefit that a claimant may receive. The rates for Jobseeker’s Allowance were originally based on the equivalent provisions for Income Support, which were in force in October 1996, when JSA replaced the element of that benefit for those who are unemployed, on low or no income or other financial means and are available and looking for work.

The proposed benefit and pension rates for 2018/19 can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2018-to-2019