The Scottish Government is encouraging young people starting work, or who have started a job in the last three months, including temporary Christmas jobs to check if they qualify for a Job Start Payment to help with costs for clothing, transport, tools or lunches.
The one-off cash payment of £252.40 is available to 16-24 year olds who have been out of paid work and on a qualifying benefit for at least six months - the payment rises to £404 if the person is the main carer for any children.
The job must average 12 hours per week, over a four-week period, but it does not need to be permanent.
How to make a claim
To apply for Job Start Payment as a young person, you must:
- be aged between 16 to 24 years old on the date you got the job offer
- have been out of paid work on the date you got the job offer
- have got one of these benefits for at least 6 months on the date you got the job offer
- have got a job offer in the last 3 months
- have been living in Scotland on the day you got the job offer
- not have got Job Start Payment in the last 2 years
If your application is successful you'll receive the one-off payment directly into your bank account, you do not need to pay this money back.
How the payment is made
If your claim is successful, Social Security Scotland will send your payment directly to your bank account or to someone else's - you will need these bank account details to apply.
If you want to get the money in someone else's account, you need to check they're happy with this first.
You should also be sure you'll be able to access the money before you put their details on the form.
If you do not have a bank account, you can get Job Start Payment paid in the same way you are for other benefits. For this, you should apply either over the phone or by using the paper form.
Eligibility
To complete the Job Start Payment form, you will need:
- your name, date of birth and address
- your job offer details
- your employer’s details
- your National Insurance number, if you know it
- your bank, credit union or building society account details
- if you have a partner, their name and date of birth
- details of any children you have or care for
How to apply online
Guidance on mygov.scot states: "Most people take around 10 minutes to complete the form, but don’t worry if it takes you longer."
However, it also warns: "You’ll not be able to save the form and come back to it later, because it has to be completed all at once."
You cannot apply online if:
- you're 18 or 19 and do not get any benefits or payments but your parent or carer gets one of these for you
- you do not have a permanent address
- you do not have a bank account and have agreed a way for the Department for Work and Pensions to pay you
- you’re applying for someone who cannot manage their own affairs
If any of these apply, you will need to make an application over the phone or by post.
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to make your application over the phone - opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
You should also call that number if you would like to apply by post.
For full detail and to apply online, visit the mygov.scot website here.
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