Job Grant

Job Grant is a work related payment you may get when you or your partner move directly from benefit into work. Find out if you qualify for a Job Grant, how much it is and how to claim it.

Job Grant - who can get it

You may be able to get a Job Grant if, you are moving directly from benefit into work of at least 16 hours a week. This could be starting a new job, increasing the hours you work in an existing job or having a combination of jobs.

You may also get a Job Grant if your partner starts working at least 24 hours a week and as a result your benefit stops.

The work must be expected to last for at least five weeks, and you must notify Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office within 21 days of starting work.

You must also have been claiming one or a combination of the following benefits for at least 26 weeks immediately before moving into work:

Jobseeker's Allowance
Income Support
Incapacity Benefit
Employment and Support Allowance
Severe Disablement Allowance
Training Allowance payments where the allowance is based on Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance

Any period where you are not entitled to a payment of benefit does not count towards the 26 week qualifying period.

You will not get a Job Grant if:

you have been signing as unemployed to receive your National Insurance contributions only
you have been sending in medical evidence to receive your National Insurance contributions only

Job Grant - how much it is

The amount of Job Grant you will get depends on your circumstances.

You can get one of the following amounts:

£100 for single people and couples without children
£250 for lone parents and couples with children

How to claim Job Grant

You will automatically get Job Grant so long as you qualify.

You need to make sure you tell your Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office that you're starting work and you must do this within 21 days of starting work.

You will be paid in the same way as you were paid benefits.

Effect of the Job Grant on benefits or tax credits

The Job Grant is a tax-free payment and doesn't reduce other benefits or tax credits you may get when you start work.

If you qualify for the Job Grant you may also be able to get Extended Housing Benefit.

Extended Payment of Housing Benefit

Job Grant - further advice

If you've been refused Job Grant or think you got the wrong amount, you can ask your Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office to reconsider the decision.