Archive Website of the UK government

Job Grant - who can get it

You may be able to get a Job Grant if your benefit claim begins before 1 October 2023 and 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 Jobcentre Plus 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
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Jobcentre Plus/New Deal Allowance payments where the allowance is based on Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
• Employment Zone payments where the allowance is based on Jobseeker's Allowance

Any period where you are not entitled to one of the above benefits 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

Changes to Job Grant will be brought in for new claims to benefit from October 2012 onwards.

This means there will be no new payments of Job Grant from 1 April 2013.

Job Grant - how much it is

The amount of Job Grant you get will depend 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

If you qualify for a Job Grant it will be paid to you automatically when your benefit claim is closed.

You need to make sure you tell Jobcentre Plus 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.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

• How benefits and pensions are paid

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 Council Tax Benefit and Extended Housing Benefit.

• Extended Payment of Housing Benefit

• Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit

Job Grant – further advice

If you've been refused Job Grant or think you got the wrong amount, you can ask Jobcentre Plus to reconsider the decision.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

More useful links

• Employment and Support Allowance - introduction

• Incapacity Benefit

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income Support

• Severe Disablement Allowance

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts