Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.
Applications to the Kickstart Scheme are closing soon.
After 17 December 2021 you will not be able to:
- apply for a new Kickstart Scheme grant
- add more jobs to an existing grant agreement
We will process applications submitted before this time or that are already in progress.
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding until 17 December 2021 which covers:
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
- associated employer National Insurance contributions
- minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions
Employers can spread the job start dates up until 31 March 2022. You’ll get funding for 6 months once the young person has started their job.
Further funding is available for training and support so that young people on the scheme can get a job in the future.
Employer guidance
Kickstart gateway guidance
Contact information
Terms and conditions
Promotional material
Last updated 5 October 2021 + show all updates
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Added information about Kickstart Scheme applications closing on 17 December 2021 and that job start dates have been extended to 31 March 2022.
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Added information about changes to the Kickstart Scheme announced on 25 January 2021. Applications from new Kickstart gateways will close on 28 January 2021 and all employers can apply directly online from 3 February 2021.
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Added Kickstart Scheme terms and conditions.
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Added 'Find someone to apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant on your behalf' to the collection.
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Added employer contacts page to the collection.
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First published.