6 Months automatically, with an extension to a year. Now you have to have an unemployment review every 12 weeks as opposed to the original 6. It's nothing to worry about though, the lady in the office told me they can't deal with all the claims, let alone calling to check that all the jobs you applied for are correct. Not suggesting that you shouldn't apply for jobs every week, just that they are completely snowed under. Makes me laugh to think that the unemployment office is understaffed.