Job Start Payment pays out more than £37,000 to clients in first six weeks

Social Security Scotland paid out £37,700 to clients during the first six weeks of this new benefit, according to the first set of statistics published today.

125 young people starting a new job received a payment.

Job Start Payment launched in August this year and supports 16 to 24 year olds, or up to 25 for care leavers, into work after being unemployed.

It is a payment of £250 to help with the costs of starting a new job. The payment rises to £400 if the person has a child.

To qualify for Job Start Payment, people need to have had a job offer on or after 17 August 2020.

Clients can apply for Job Start Payment online via mygov.scot or they can call freephone on 0800 182 2222 to complete an application over the phone or to request a paper application form.

The full report is available on the Social Security Scotland website.