Nicola Sturgeon has announced that some of the poorest families in Scotland will receive a cash boost of £260 in time for Christmas.
Addressing the SNP conference in Aberdeen, the First Minister said her government would double the final instalment of bridging payments.
The payments are made to children who are in receipt of free school meals due to low income.
The rise in payments comes after the Record revealed in August how more than 120 charities and trade unions called on Sturgeon to help families this winter.
Campaigners urged Sturgeon to "do the right thing" and double the October and Christmas bridging payments from £130 to £260 as part of wider action to support households through the cost of living crisis.
Sturgeon told the SNP conference: "The Scottish Child Payment is unique in the United Kingdom. It is paid to eligible families with children up to age six.
"It started at 10 pounds per week. At Conference last year, I announced we would double it to twenty. Five weeks from today we will increase it again, to 25 pounds a week.
"Vital financial help for more than 100,000 children, delivered in time for Christmas. On the same day we increase the payment, we will also extend it to families with children up to age 16. I know I’m a bit biased, but I think that’s the sign of a government with the right priorities.
"But we need to do more because we know this winter is going to be really tough. Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it. Dreading it because they don’t know if they can afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.
'As part of our help to the poorest families over the last year, we have made quarterly “bridging payments” of £130. These have gone to children and young people in receipt of free school meals, but who don’t qualify for the Child Payment.
"Today I can announce that the final instalment – ahead of the extension of the Child Payment and due in the next few weeks – will not be £130. We will double it to £260.
"That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all of their worries go away - no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
