Parents and carers across Scotland with children up to the age of 16 can now apply for the Scottish Child Payment after a change to the eligibility rules on November 14. The weekly payment rate has also increased from £20 to £25, giving parents £100 per month per eligible child.
Social Security Scotland has announced that initial management information indicates that 89,000 applications were received between Monday November 14 and Tuesday November 15. As a result, it has said that due to the high volume of applications and the extension of the eligible age group, it is “working hard to process these however it will take us some time to do so”.
It also posted on social media: “We are working hard to process Scottish Child Payment applications including where children have been added to existing awards. Money for the additional children may not come in the first payment after you apply but, if approved, will be calculated from the date they were added.”
Social Security Scotland explained: “Clients who added an extra child to an existing payment may not see this reflected in their payment for some time as we are still required to check eligibility.
“All payments will be calculated from the day that client applied or submitted a change of circumstances to add an extra child.”
It also advises people that they do not need to apply again and there is no need to phone to follow up their application.
Recent statistics released by Social Security Scotland indicated that the average processing times for new claims increased from 31 working days in March 2022 to 36 in June 2022.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the extension with a visit to Golfhill Primary and Whitehill Secondary schools in Dennistoun, Glasgow.
The First Minister said: “The Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and is the most ambitious child poverty reduction measure in the UK.
“At a time when the cost of living crisis is causing significant hardship for many families, this increased payment of £1300 per eligible child is even more vital, and the age extension means that it is now available to many more children."
What is the Scottish Child Payment?
Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It is a weekly payment of £25 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age.
You will get £25 per week, per child. The money is paid every four weeks.
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
- Best Start Foods
Who can apply?
Only one person can get Scottish Child Payment for a child and it does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits that you, or any person in your household, currently get.
You may be able to get Scottish Child Payment if all of the following apply:
- you live in Scotland
- you or your partner are getting certain benefits or payments
- you or your partner are the main person looking after a child who's under six years old
Benefits or payment you or your partner must get
You can apply whether you're in work or not, as long as you're getting one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
How to apply
For full details on claiming the benefit or to make a new claim, you can do it online here.
You can also apply over the phone by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 222.
Find out more about the Scottish Child Payment on mygov.scot here.
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