Applying for a Job Grant

The Office for National Statistics recently revealed that the unemployment figures in the United Kingdom have fallen, and to help this continue there is funding available for those who make the move into employment.The figures also revealed that the number of people that were claiming job seekers allowance in March 2008 was 794,300, a reduction of 1,200 since February.

What is a Job Grant?

The job grant is provided to those who make the move back into employment and stop receiving benefits. It is a one-off tax-free payment to help those people make the transition.This grant is available to those who start working at least 16 hours per week and you are expecting to be in work for a minimum of five weeks.

There are certain benefits that you must have been in receipt of certain benefits. These include jobseekers allowance, income support, incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance, and according to the guidelines, you must have been claiming them for a minimum of 26 weeks.

If it is your partner, and not yourself, that gets a job and as a result your benefits have suffered, you may also be entitled to a job grant providing they are working at least 24 hours a week.

The amount you will receive is very much dependent on your personal circumstances. In the first instance, if you are a single person, are part of a civil partnership, or are without children, then you will receive £100.Alternatively, if you are a single parent or are part of a civil partnership with children, then you are entitled to a grant of £250.

The added advantage of receiving the job grant is that it is tax-free. This means that any other benefits or tax credits you are in receipt of won't be affected or reduced once you start your new job.

Also, if you qualify to receive the job grant, you will also automatically be eligible for Extended Council Tax Benefit and Extended Housing Benefit. If you need to know more about these then you should contact your local housing office and they will be able to help you figure out what you are entitled to.

Applying

When it comes to actually applying for the job grant, the process couldn't be simpler. You will automatically get the grant providing you are eligible.The first thing that you must do is inform you job centre office that you have found work and are starting your new job. The job grant will be paid to you in exactly the same way as your benefit was.

If your application has been refused you are not able to appeal, this also goes if you feel you have been awarded the wrong amount. However, you are able to request that the office that dealt with your initial claim to reconsider.

This form of funding was introduced to replace the Back to Work Bonus and the Lone Parent's Benefit. If you are an applicant under the age of 25 and claiming benefits, then you may be eligible for the New Deal for Young people, which provides training and experience to help you get back into work.