Job Start Payment

The Job Start Payment in Scotland is a financial support designed to help young people who are starting a new job with initial costs like travel and clothing. It’s a one-time, non-repayable payment made by Social Security Scotland.

Amount of Payment:

• £314.45 for most eligible individuals.
• £503.10 if you’re responsible for a child.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for the Job Start Payment, all of the following must apply:

• You are 16 to 24 years old, or 16 to 25 if you’re a care leaver.
• You’ve been out of paid work before getting your job offer.
• You’re receiving one of the following benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • (You normally need to have received these benefits for at least 6 months unless you’re a care leaver, in which case this rule doesn’t apply.)
• You’ve been offered a job that is at least 12 hours per week.
• You live in Scotland.

What Counts as Paid Work?

• The job offer must have been made on or after 17th August 2020.
• The job must be for at least 12 hours a week but doesn’t need to be permanent or last a certain amount of time (e.g., seasonal work qualifies).
• Modern or graduate apprenticeships and self-employment also count as paid work.

If you meet all the criteria, you can apply for this support to ease the financial burden of starting a new job.