The Scottish Child Payment has been increased from £20 to £25 per week per child, meaning 22,830 families in Glasgow are set to receive a boost to their household incomes from the Scottish Government. This is now £100 every 4 weeks.

Eligibility for the payment, which is only available in Scotland, has also been extended, meaning eligible families with children under the age of 16 can now apply for the Scottish Child Payment.

I would encourage all families in my Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency to apply for the support.

We have already heard from anti-poverty charities how the payment has been ‘game-changing’ for families with children under-6 and now as the support is extended to families with children under-16 more will have extra cash in their pockets to get through this Tory-made cost of living crisis.

The Scottish Child Payment is only available in Scotland and demonstrates how the SNP Scottish Government is building a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect.

The quickest way to apply is online at https://bit.ly/SocialSecurityScotlandScottishChildPayment but you can also apply by phone (free on 0800 182 2222), by post or in person.

FAQs

I already receive Scottish Child Payment and my children are all under 6. Do I need to make a new application?

No, you don’t need to do anything. You will receive Scottish Child Payment at the new rate of £25 per child per week automatically from 14 November.

I have been receiving Scottish Child Payment but my child turns 6 before 14 November. Do I need to reapply?

Yes. You should make a new application on 14 November.

I receive Scottish Child Payment for my child aged under 6. But I also have a child aged 6 or over. What should I do?

You can add older children to your existing award through the online Scottish Child Payment form. There’s no need to do a completely new application.

On November 14, how should I apply for Scottish Child Payment?

We strongly encourage people to apply online if they can. If it’s impossible for you to do so then we can also take applications by post or over the phone on 0800 182 2222.

I am working. Does that mean I won’t qualify?

No, a significant proportion of people who receive qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit or Tax Credits are in work. So long as you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit you can still be eligible for Scottish Child Payment.

What are the qualifying benefits for Scottish Child Payment?

- 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)

I am a kinship carer, can I qualify for Scottish Child Payment?

People who care for children in their family but who aren’t their parents – known as kinship carers – can qualify for Scottish Child Payment if they meet the eligibility criteria.

If I receive Scottish Child Payment, will it affect my tax payments or other benefits?

No. If you receive Scottish Child Payment, it will not affect this.

I get Bridging Payments. Will I need to apply for Scottish Child Payment?

Yes. Bridging Payments are administered completely separately to Scottish Child Payment. So, if you are eligible for Scottish Child Payment, you should apply for it in the normal way regardless of whether you get Bridging Payments. You will still get your final Bridging Payment (of £260) in December.