Job Start Payment - Social Security Scotland

Who can get it?

A person must meet all of the criteria below to be eligible:

· are 16 to 24 years old; or are a care leaver aged 16 to 25

· live in Scotland on the day of the job offer

· they have a job offer for paid employment

· the job must average 12 hours or more per week, over a 4 week period. It doesn’t need to be a permanent job

· be out of paid work and in receipt of a qualifying benefit* for 6 months or more, or if a care leaver out of paid work and in receipt of a qualifying benefit at the time of the job offer (care leavers do not need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit for 6 months)

*Qualifying benefits are:

· Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

· Income Support

· Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

· Universal Credit (UC)

How long does someone have to apply?

They have up to 3 months from getting their job offer to apply.

What evidence will be required?

A confirmation of the job offer. This can be a text message, a letter, or an email from the employer. We’ll accept photocopies or screenshots of these and they can be uploaded online or provided by post

How to Apply

Visit mygov.scot/benefits to apply online or call freephone on 0800 182 2222 to complete the application over the phone or to request a paper application form.