Guidance: Kickstart Scheme closure
The Government Kickstart scheme, which aims to encourage and fund employers to create new jobs for 16-24-year-olds at risk of unemployment, is coming to an end.
The Kickstart Scheme:
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 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 will 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.
It has been confirmed that Kickstart Scheme applications close at midday on 17th December 2021.
Information for Employers who applied for a Kickstart Scheme grant before midday on 17 December 2021
The Government aims to email with a decision on the application within 2 weeks.
If your application is successful, you must:
- sign and return the grant agreement by 11:59pm on 7 January 2022
- submit or send your vacancies to DWP by 11:59pm on 31 January 2022
- start the young person in the job on or before 31 March 2022
To help process the funding, it is requested that you inform as soon as possible or by 11:59pm on 30 April 2022 that the young person has started their job.
You’ll get funding for 6 months once the young person has started their job.
