A Lanarkshire MSP is encouraging her constituents to apply for the Scottish Child Payment when the scheme expands in November.
The Scottish Child Payment is a Scottish Government initiative of £20 a week for eligible families for each child under the age of 6.
The payment will increase to £25 and become available to children up to the age of 16 on November 14.
The Scottish Government will also pay eligible families Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments. The December bridging payment, available for children who receive free school meals because of low income, will double to £260.
The Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of five family payments including: Best Start Grant Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and Best Start Foods.
Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: “The Scottish Child Payment is a game-changing social security entitlement that is unique to Scotland.
“It is part of the Scottish Government’s work to build a social security system founded on the principles of dignity, fairness, and respect.
“The SNP in Government has raised the Scottish Child Payment by 150 per cent in eight months; that is a party that is serious about addressing poverty.
“Where we have control of social security, we will ensure that there is a rights-based approach in stark contrast to the DWP.
“On November 14, the payment will open to children up to age 16. It is forecasted that an additional 300,000 children could be eligible.
“There will be many new applications so there may be a waiting period, but eligible applicants will have their payments backdated.
“People are facing a cost-of-living crisis made worse by the UK Government’s disastrous handling of the economy. So, I am encouraging my constituents to apply because this additional support is a lifeline.”
Eligible parents and carers can find out more and apply online or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
You can also ask for an application form to be sent to you that you can fill in and return.
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