ob Start Payment

Job Start Payment is a payment to help young people in Scotland who are on certain benefits to meet the costs of starting a new job, for example, travel and clothing costs.

It’s paid by Social Security Scotland and does not need to be repaid.

Job Start Payment is a one-off payment of £250 or £400. The higher rate is paid if you're responsible for a child.

You can get Job Start Payment if you're:

• aged 16-24 years old or are a care leaver aged 16-25
• have been out of paid work and getting a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit (UC), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• have been offered paid work that is for at least 12 hours a week
• live in Scotland.

You usually need to have been receiving the qualifying benefit for six months prior to your job offer.

If you’re a care leaver, the six month rule doesn’t apply and you only need to have been out of work and getting the benefit by the date of your job offer.

When to apply

You can apply for a Job Start Payment from the date you are offered the job until three months after.

How to apply for Job Start Payment

You can apply:

• online
• by phone – call freephone 0800 182 2222 to speak to a Social Security Scotland adviser
• by post – download a form or request a paper copy by phone. You can ask Social Security Scotland to send you a pre-paid envelope.