Jobseeker's Allowance

In the United Kingdom Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), colloquially known as The Dole, is a form of unemployment benefit that is paid by the government to people who are unemployed and seeking work. It is part of the social security benefits system and is meant to cover the cost of living expenses in periods where the claimant is out of work. It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), normally through the local Jobcentre Plus office. It is a working age benefit, and is only available to those 16-65, except in certain circumstances.

There are two forms of Jobseeker's Allowance, contributions-based and income-based

Contributions are collected for the DWP by Contributions Office (HM Revenue and Customs), who keep a permanent record of contributions paid by everyone in the UK who has a National Insurance number.

According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article on Dole, the word dole, meaning a charitable distribution of food and money, derives from Old English dal, from which we also get the word deal - New Deal. Receiving Jobseeker's Allowance is also known colloquially as "signing on", due to the need to present at the Job Centre each fortnight (see below).

Australia has implemented strikingly similar unemployment/welfare policies, which also have official titles based on informal, colloquial terminology. (eg. see Centrelink and Work for the dole).