The DWP is also offering grants up to £3,000
Universal Credit claimants can get extra grants(Image: Getty)
Universal Credit claimants may want to check if they qualify for additional help. The DWP has released an update regarding a grants scheme designed to support claimants.
The Government issued the update following a written question from an MP. Liberal Democrat representative Dr Al Pinkerton quizzed ministers on what backing is available to help young people into employment.
DWP minister Andrew Western drafted the Government’s response. He set out what support is coming in to help young people into work. The minister said: “Building on the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement at Budget, the Government committed a further £1billion for young people on 16th March 2026, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5billion over the next three years.
“This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.” He highlighted one grant scheme designed to assist employers in recruiting and training younger workers.
New grants scheme
The minister explained: “The Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18 to 24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16 to 24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.”
Previous Government statistics indicated these grants could benefit around 60,000 young people over three years. The DWP has confirmed that from autumn 2026, the Jobs Guarantee will be extended to all eligible 18 to 24 year-olds receiving Universal Credit who have been job-hunting for 18 months.
Government guidance explains: “They will benefit from 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work. Young people on the scheme will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.”
The minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 currently stands at £10.85 per hour, while anyone aged 21 and above receives £12.71. Based on these rates, an 18 to 20 year old working 25 hours weekly would take home £271.25 per week, totalling £7,052.50 across six months, A worker aged 21 or older would earn £317.75 weekly, amounting to £8,261.50 over the same period.
Other support being introduced
Mr Western outlined some additional measures being introduced as part of the wider reform package. He said: “The Government is delivering 8 Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introducing a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres. The Gateway will provide 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.”
Further initiatives being rolled out include more support within schools to help students into work. This includes more access to work experience placements, as well as working with local authorities to automatically enrol pupils into further education programmes.
