Young people aged under 25 are being urged to check if they qualify for a payment to help with the costs of starting a new job.

The one-off Job Start Payment is worth £294.70 or £471.50 for the main carer of any children.

The cash is available for 16 to 24-year-olds or 25 if they are a care leaver.

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To be eligible people need to have been out of work for at least six months and be in receipt of certain benefits for six months.

Changes to the qualifying criteria mean that income received from completing trial shifts will now not rule out applicants from getting a Job Start Payment.

A nationwide digital marketing campaign, launched this week, aims to raise awareness of the financial support available to young people and care leavers when offered a job after a period of unemployment.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “Since launching in August 2020, Job Start Payment has made a real difference to young people across Scotland by supporting them to take up employment opportunities.

“The pressures of starting a new job can be overwhelming and we don’t want the extra costs to be what stops young people.

“It is now simpler for eligible clients to apply for Job Start Payment due to the recent guidance changes. I encourage young people and carers who have recently started work, or employers taking on young people in a new job, to find out more and check if they are eligible.”

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The money is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

The purpose of the payment is to help with the costs of starting a new job.

It can be used for things like travel costs, such as a bus or train pass, lunches, new clothes or a uniform and childcare.

For more information on how to apply go to mygov.scot/jobstartpayment or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.