Christina McKelvie MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse has urged eligible 16-24 year olds who are already receiving certain other benefits or tax credits to apply for Job Start Payment.

This payment helps young people with the costs of starting a job after a period of being unemployed and can help with the costs of travel, work clothes or childcare.

The Job Start Payment comes in the form of a one-off payment worth £267.65 or £428.25 if the applicant has children.

The Scottish Government launched the Job Start Payment in August 2020 and since the launch it has awarded £1.1 million to 4150 applicants across Scotland.

Commenting Christina said:

“The Job Start Payment is a fantastic Scottish Government initiative that provides financial support for eligible young people who are starting a new job. It has already supported many young people and given the cost of living crisis we are facing I am urging eligible young people to apply.

“The payment aims to support young people with the costs of starting a job as they wait for their first pay cheque.

“The Scottish Government are also helping widen access to education and employment for young people by providing free bus travel to all under 22 year olds. Free bus travel is a game changer that allows young people to travel sustainably and crucially for free. For young people starting a new job and who are eligible for Job Start Payment they can then use this for other costs.

“I would encourage anyone in Hamilton, Larkhall or Stonehouse 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.”

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.