Social Security Scotland is urging parents, carers and guardians who get Universal Credit, Tax Credits or other qualifying benefits with a child born between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019 to check whether they qualify for a one-off payment worth £294.70. The application window for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment opened on June 1 and will not close until February 29, 2024.
The payment of £294.70 is made per eligible child and aims to help with the costs of preparing them for school. Parents and carers are eligible at the point a child is first old enough to start primary school.
It is part of the five family payments people may be able to get, along with Scottish Child Payment, which is now available for children up to the age of 16. This is a £25 weekly payment paid monthly to parents or guardians in receipt of qualifying benefits.
Social Security Scotland said if someone is already getting Scottish Child Payment and they are eligible for Best Start Grant School Age Payment, this will be paid automatically when their child is first old enough to start primary school.
Scotland’s welfare system said: “We will notify clients by text message when we are checking eligibility for the Best Start Grants and, if someone is eligible, we will write to advise them of the payment.”
The move to automatic awards will mean less paperwork for tens of thousands of families and ensure that families do not miss out on crucial financial support they are entitled to.
However, Social Security Scotland advised a small number of people who receive Housing Benefit are eligible for School Age Payment but not Scottish Child Payment. They must apply for School Age Payment before the window closes in February next year.
Similarly, those who have chosen not to apply for Scottish Child Payment, and those who have opted out of automatic payments, should apply for School Age Payment now.
What affects whether you can apply
If you are under 18, you do not need to be on any payments or benefits to apply for Best Start Grant.
If you are a parent over 18, you can apply whether you're in work or not, as long as you are getting one of these:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit - this is Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit for Best Start Foods
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You cannot get Best Start Grant if you only get Child Benefit. You must still be getting one of the benefits or payments from this list to be able to get Best Start Grant.
If you're not getting any of these benefits or payments, but have applied for one, you can still apply for Best Start Grant.
People can apply online, by phone, in person or by post. More information can be found at Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods on mygov.scot here or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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