Support payment available to young people returning to employment
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin is encouraging young people who are eligible to apply for a one-off payment to help with the cost of starting a job after a period of unemployment.
The Job Start Payment is available for 16 to 24-year-olds who are already receiving certain other benefits or tax credits.
It is a one-off payment worth £267.65 or £428.25 if the applicant has children and can help with the costs of travel, work clothes or childcare.
The Job Start Payment is available to eligible young people who have been offered a job after being out of work for at least six months to the day they were offered the job and are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
Care leavers can apply for a further year, up to the day before their 26th birthday, and only need to be out of work and in receipt of a qualifying benefit on the day of their job offer.
Young people can find pre-application advice for Job Start Payment, which includes eligibility and award amounts, and apply at the mygov.scot website.
Ms Martin said: “The Job Start Payment for young people helps those looking for work after a period of unemployment and I would encourage those who are eligible to apply.
“With the cost of living crisis we know there are more financial pressures than ever on people and this payment is designed to help relieve some of those worries.
“This payment is in addition to support from the Scottish Government through the provision of free bus travel to all under 22-year-olds which will help young people travel sustainably while cutting commuting costs for people starting a new job.
“I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to find out more from Social Security Scotland and apply for this benefit, which is only available in Scotland.”
