Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment is £20 per week given by the Scottish Government for each eligible child under 6 years old.
It will be rolled out to children between the age of 6 and 16 by the end of 2022.
Who can get it?
You can get it for each child under 6 years old if you are receiving one of the benefits below:
- Universal Credit, or waiting for your first payment of Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
How to apply
Apply online for the Scottish Child Payment
You can also apply via freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 or ask for an application form to be sent to you that you can fill in and return.
If you included your mobile number on your application, you will receive a text every two weeks to update you on the progress of your application until you receive your decision letter.
Take a look at the explainer video.
How it is paid
The Scottish Child Payment is paid into your bank account.
If your child turns 6, before it is rolled out to children 6 and over, payments will stop and you can apply for a Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payment.
If your child turns 6 after Scottish Child Payment has been rolled out to children 6 and over your payments will continue, until your child is 16, as long as you still get a qualifying benefit.
Nursery places for 2 year olds
Early learning and childcare for Terrific 2 year olds
Some two year olds can get up to 600 or 1,140 hours, of early learning and childcare in council-run and partner-provider nurseries. These are called Terrific 2 year olds.
Criteria
You may qualify if you get one or more of these benefits effective from 1 April 2022
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credits, but not Working Tax Credit with annual household income below £17,005
- Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credit with an annual household income of £7,920 or less support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with a monthly household earned income of £660 per month or below (Based on equivalent of £7920 per year) Note: disability allowance is not included as income
or if your child is
- looked after or is considered to be at risk of becoming looked after
- under a kinship care order
- is living with a parent-appointed guardian
- care experienced or has a parent who is care experienced
- in temporary accommodation/homeless
or if the family has
- graduated from the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)
When your child starts nursery
Your child can start their funded nursery place one week after their second birthday.