Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month

Daily Record

7 days ago

Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month
More than 233,000 parents are receiving extra financial support through the Scottish Child Payment.
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Parents on a low income with children up to the age of 16 are being urged to 'check their eligibility and start their application today' for a benefit only available in Scotland. New figures from the Scottish Government show that Scottish Child Payment is supporting 326,255 children aged 16 and under.
Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and provides financial support for families, helping with the costs of caring for a child. It is a weekly payment, currently worth £27.15 (£108.60 every four-week pay period), for every eligible child that a parent or carer looks after who's under 16 years of age.
Social Security Scotland recently revealed that there are around one in 10 families who might be eligible for the payment but not claiming it.
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Combined with Child Benefit payments from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), parents could be due up to £212.80 every month in additional support.
Child Benefit is a separate UK-wide payment worth £26.05 for the eldest or only child. The payment is also issued every four weeks which amounts to £104.20 every payment period.
Parents with additional children receive £17.25 each week, some £69.00 every four week pay period.
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Michelle, a mother of three from Edinburgh shared the impact Scottish Child Payment is having in her daughter's life. She explained: 'One of my daughters has autism and ADHD, and Scottish Child Payment allows me to do activities that calm her down and make her happy and that makes a massive difference.'
She added: 'Scottish Child Payment is something that helps you and helps your children when you're in a difficult financial situation. I think there's sometimes a stigma around applying for it, especially as a single mother, but I highly recommend that those who have yet to apply for it do so.'
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government's top priority and a national mission. These figures show that the Scottish Government is supporting 233,040 individual clients and 326,255 children throughout Scotland, with over £7.5 million paid out in Scottish Child Payment.
'These payments are actively improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Scotland - helping their families to access essentials and experiences they might otherwise miss out on because they live on a low income.
'In the coming year it is forecast we'll invest a further £471 million, ensuring that this support continues to reach even more families and children who need it."
'We would urge those who are thinking of applying for financial support, to check their eligibility and start their application today.'
Scottish Child Payment is one of the five family payments parents and carers may be eligible for along with Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.
To qualify for Scottish Child Payment, all of the following need to apply:
the person lives in Scotland
the person or their partner are getting certain benefits or payments
the person or their partner are the main person looking after a child who's under 16 years old
A full list of qualifying benefits can be found online here.
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Parents, carers and guardians can get more information about financial help on the dedicated Children and Family section on mygov.scot here or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
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