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17 May 2013

Employers taking on young people may quality for wage incentives

Wage incentives are available for employers who recruit an 18 -24 year old who has been receiving benefits for at least six months through Jobcentre Plus.

The wage incentive is available if you employ someone for 16 hours or more each week in a job lasting more than 26 weeks. There are two rates:

  • for part-time work between 16 and 29 hours a week - £1,137.50

  • for full-time work of 30 hours or more a week - £2,275.

This will be paid 26 weeks after the employee starts work. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees can claim a part payment eight weeks after the employee starts work.

Wage incentives are primarily available to private, voluntary and community sectors and social enterprise employers. Central government departments, their executive agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies will be excluded from claiming them. However, the wider public sector, such as NHS trusts, will not.

Please contact Jobcentre Plus for further information, advice on the eligibility conditions and support to identify the right person. Alternatively, please see following links to the Department for Work and Pensions website:

Real life stories - how wage incentives are helping young people into work.

Frequently asked questions on the wage incentive scheme

Factsheets for employers

Terms and conditions

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/youth-contract/key-initiatives/wage-incentives/

For more information, or a personal meeting to discuss the Wage Incentive, please contact Sophie Smith, Employer Advisor At Woking's Jobcentre Plus, on 01483 702114.

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