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Stevenson urges young jobseekers to apply for new Job Start Payment


By Alan Beresford

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A NEW benefit to help young people who have been unemployed for six months has been welcomed.

Stewart Stevenson MSP: "Vital" to support young people entering the job market.
Stewart Stevenson MSP: "Vital" to support young people entering the job market.

The Job Start Payment is a one-off £250 financial support grant which aims to help with the costs of starting a new job. It will help those aged 16 to 24-years-old, with the upper age limit rising to 25-years-old for care leavers.

The payment will also increase to £400 if the applicant has a child.

It is estimated that within its first year, around 5000 young people will benefit from the new financial support.

News of the grant has been lauded by Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.

Mr Stevenson said: “I am really pleased the Scottish Government has launched the Job Start Payment which will give a much-needed financial boost to young people entering work.

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused uncertainty for many people hoping to enter the jobs market or for those who may have lost employment as a result of the ongoing impact to the economy.

“This package will help thousands of young people. It is vital we support the next generation of young people entering the workforce.

“I would urge young people in the north-east to apply for the Job Start Payment to help them gain access to work.”

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville commented:“I am delighted that our Job Start Payment is today now open for applications; it really couldn’t come at a better time to support our young people to take up job offers.

“[Recently] we announced an additional £10 million for a range of measures to recruit and retain apprentices. Combined with our commitment of at least £50 million for youth employment and the Scotland’s Youth Guarantee, we will ensure no one is left behind.

“Costs like travel, new work clothes, or childcare often have to be met before people get their first pay.

Skills Development Scotland’s Director of Career Information Advice Guidance Operations, James Russell added:

“This new payment will offer welcomed practical help to many young people who our advisers are supporting at this time.

“It will be especially important to those taking their next steps into employment and who may need some additional support to start the right career opportunity for them.”

People can find out more and apply through mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222. The payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland

To qualify for the payment, a person must be 16-24 years old and have received a job offer for paid employment. The person must be out of paid work and in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits: Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income Support; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; and Universal Credit for six months or more at the time of the job offer.

If they are a care leaver, they can access this support up to 25 years of age. They also just need to be on a qualifying benefit when they get the job offer, they do not need to have been in receipt of this benefit for a set time period.

The job must average 12 hours per week, over a four-week period and it does not need to be permanent.

Social Security Scotland are promoting this benefit working with the DWP, SDS and local authorities to make sure young people get the money they are entitled to.

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