Job Start Payment

What is Job Start Payment?

Job Start Payment is a benefit administered by Social Security Scotland that is designed specifically for young people who have been out of work and require financial assistance when starting a new job. It was launched in the summer of 2020 as a one-off payment to support unemployed young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who were starting employment and had previously been out of paid work.

The payment seeks to contribute towards the costs of starting a new job, such as the cost of travel, childcare, or work clothes.

Therefore, by removing some of these financial constraints, the Job Start Payment helps young people to have the best start in their new employment.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To qualify for the Job Start Payment, applicants must either be a young person or a care leaver and meet the following criteria: 

• Be between 16 and 24 years old on the date you got the job offer
• Have been out of paid work on the date that you received the job offer
• Have been living in Scotland on the day you got the job offer
• Have got a job offer in the last three months
• Have not received Job Start Payment in the last two years

A significant part of the qualifying criteria is having received one of the following benefits for the last six months: 

• Income Support (IS)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

How much is the Job Start Payment?

 Job Start Payment is designed to go towards some of the costs a young person will face when starting employment. If you are the main carer of any children, you will receive a higher payment. To find the current rate, visit the mygov.scot website.

What can I use the Job Start Payment for?

You could use the Job Start Payment to go towards some of the following costs: 

• Childcare costs
• Transport costs
• Food
• Work clothes
• Travel pass
• Parking

While the payment is intended to help with costs associated with starting work such as travel and childcare, you can spend the payment how you see best.

Social Security Scotland will not ask for evidence of what you spent the payment on.

How can I apply for Job Start Payment?

There are a wide variety of ways that you can apply for Job Start Payment, depending on your preference.

Online

You may find that applying online is the most convenient way for you. However, it is important to note that once you have started to fill out the application, you must finish it as it cannot be saved and completed at a later time.

You will not be able to apply online if you: 

• Are applying on behalf of another person
• Do not have a permanent address
• Do not have a bank account

By Phone

There is also the option to complete your application over the phone by phoning Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

By Post

If you prefer, you can also apply by post by filling out a paper application form.

If you require an envelope for your application Social Security Scotland can supply a pre-paid envelope if you phone them at 0800 182 2222.

Regardless of how you apply Social Security Scotland will require the following information: 

• Your name, date of birth and address
• Your job offer details
• Your employer’s details
• Your National Insurance Number
• Bank or Building Society account details
• Details for any partner or children you may have

Will I be required to send evidence of my job offer?

Once you have submitted your application, Social Security Scotland will get in touch to ask you to send confirmation of your job offer.

Some of the key information Social Security Scotland will look for in this document will include: 

• The date you received written confirmation about the job offer
• Some details about your prospective employer, such as the name of the company, their email address, and phone number
• If your job offer was made over the phone, you will need to ask your employer for a written job offer confirmation

The following constitute acceptable forms of evidence of your job offer:

• A signed handwritten note
• Screenshot of a digital message
• Your contract
• A letter
• An email

What evidence will I be required to send if I am a care leaver?

If you are a care leaver, you will be required to fill out Social Security Scotland’s care leaver evidence form to confirm your time spent in care.

This form must be countersigned by a social worker, doctor, nurse, counsellor, lawyer, teacher, or solicitor.

How shall I send my evidence?

There are a few different ways that you can send evidence to Social Security Scotland.

Upload Documents Online

Perhaps the most convenient way is to upload documents online. This can be done by uploading scanned documents or screenshots.

Send Documents via Post

If you want to send documentation via post, it is a good idea to send photocopies rather than original documents, as there can be a delay in returning these.

If you do decide to send photocopies of your documentation, you must write ‘Job Start Payment’ so that Social Security Scotland knows what you are applying for.

You should also include the following information: 

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• National Insurance number

When will I hear back from Social Security Scotland about my application?

Social Security Scotland aims to get back to applicants with a decision on their application within 21 days of receiving their application and supporting evidence.

If your application has been successful, Social Security Scotland will send a confirmation letter to inform you that you will be awarded Job Start Payment.

It is anticipated that following receipt of this decision letter, the payment will follow within a few days.

For further information, visit mygov.scot website.