Workers in Scotland urged to check if they are eligible for benefits

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is urging workers to check what benefits they may be eligible for from the Scottish government, such as the Job Start Payment which helps cover the costs of starting a new job.

Employed Scots are being urged to check if they are eligible for Scottish government benefits.

Following the festive break, those in full-time and part-time work are being reminded they could qualify for payments administered by Social Security Scotland.

The Job Start Payment – a one-off lump sum of £294.70 or £471.50 for the main carer of one or more children – aims to help cover the costs of starting a new job such as travel, work clothes or childcare.

It’s available to those aged between 16 and 24 who are already receiving  benefits and have been out of paid work for six months prior to finding a job.

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 receiving a qualifying benefit on the day of the job offer, not for the previous six months.

Thousands of working people receive the Scottish Child Payment and the other benefits which make up Social Security Scotland’s five family payments.

These consist of three Best Start Grants – Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment – and Best Start Foods.

Workers can also qualify for Adult Disability Payment, with qualification not based on employment or income, and one-off payments including Winter Heating Payment and Funeral Support Payment.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “In January there are lots of people starting new jobs or returning to work for the first time in a while and I’d urge them to check what benefits they may be eligible for.

“I’d particularly highlight the support available to young people starting in work via Job Start Payment.

“This one-off payment can make a difference with the costs of getting up and running in a new job and again we want to make sure it reaches as many eligible people as possible.”

Social Security Scotland administers 14 payments on behalf of Holyrood, including the Scottish Child Payment, while others such as Universal Credit remain reserved to Westminster.