Checking a client's earnings

Guidance on how to check client's earning and care leaver's earning for Job Start Payment.

Checking a client's earnings

The client must have been out of paid work for six months (unless they’re a care leaver) to get Job Start Payment.

They need to have no earnings for six months on the date of their job offer.

To check the client’s earnings in the system, check there are no taxable payments from an employer made within the 6 months prior to the date of the client’s job offer.

Checking a care leaver's earnings

Care leavers only have to be out of paid work on the date of their job offer.

They do not need to send a care leaver evidence form if they:

• have had no earnings for six months
• have been on qualifying benefits for six months

If they have not been out of paid work for six months, make sure that they were out of work on the date of their job offer.

The client might have frequent payments going into their account from the same employer before the date of their job offer. If so:

• check if these payments continue going into their account after the date of the job offer
• check if these payments are for the same amount on the same date

This may mean the client was not out of work at the time of the job offer. To confirm this you should ask the client for a P45. This should be done by letter.