Seasonal jobs could qualify young people for Job Start Payment

Three young people in high visibility vests

Christmas is becoming a distant memory but young people and care leavers who landed a job during the festive season should check if they are eligible for Job Start Payment.

Job Start Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 for young people aged between 16 and 24 who meet certain criteria. If they have a child, or are a child’s main carer, they could get £503.10.

To receive Job Start Payment, eligible people need to have been out of paid work and receiving one of the following low-income benefits for six months before finding a job:

  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit

They also need to have got either Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on the date of their job offer. 

People can apply for the payment for up to six months after the date of the job offer. Social Security Scotland need to see confirmation of the job offer - this can be a text message, a letter or an email from the employer. The job must also average 12 hours or more a week over a four-week period and it doesn’t need to be a permanent job so seasonal workers should check if they are eligible.

Care leavers, someone who has spent time in care but stopped being looked after on, or after, their 16th birthday, can apply for Job Start Payment even if they haven’t been out of paid work for six months. They are also eligible for a year longer – until their 26th birthday.

Job Start Payments can be used to pay the bills that crop up before that all important first pay day. Things like travelling to work, child-care costs, paying for lunches or buying new clothes.

Find out more and apply for Job Start Payment.

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