Families urged to apply for £314 one-off payment to help cover new school year costs after summer

Social Security Scotland is urging parents, carers and guardians with a child born between March 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020, who get Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or other qualifying benefits to check whether they qualify for a one-off payment worth £314.45. The Best Start Grant School Age Payment is made per eligible child and aims to help with the costs of preparing them for school.

Anyone who has opted out of receiving automatic awards, or who has chosen not to apply for Scottish Child Payment, will need to make an application for the School Age Payment. Parents and carers are eligible at the point a child is first old enough to start primary school and can apply until February 28, 2025.

Social Security Scotland said it will notify people by text message when they are checking eligibility for Best Start Grant School Age Payment. An update on the website states: “If someone is eligible, we will write to let them know they will get the payment automatically without the need to apply.”

It continued: “Those who need to apply separately include some people who get Housing Benefit but are not eligible for Scottish Child Payment and those who have chosen not to apply for Scottish Child Payment or opted out of automatic payments.”

Additionally, Social Security Scotland said that some young parents, those under 18 or 18 to 19-year-olds, who are dependent on someone else but don’t receive qualifying benefits, also need to apply for the School Age Payment.

The application window for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment is open until February 28, 2025. Parents or carers who defer their child’s entry to school from August 2024 to August 2025 should still apply before the closing date.

The School Age Payment 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 £26.70 weekly payment paid monthly to parents or guardians in receipt of qualifying benefits.

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.