Parents in Scotland may be due more than £209 each month for children under-16 this year

The Scottish Government recently announced that the families of more than 329,000 children under the age of 16 are now receiving £106.80 every four weeks through the Scottish Child Payment. The weekly payment of £26.70, which is unique to Scotland, can help families with the cost of raising children - over £677 million has been paid since the benefit launched in 2021.

Parents or primary care-givers could be due up to £209 each month for every child under 16, if they are also claiming Child Benefit from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Child Benefit is a separate UK-wide payment that is worth £25.60 for the eldest or only child and is also paid every four weeks, amounting to £102.40.

Families claiming both benefits for children under-16 could be due £209.20 each month during the current financial year, however, it’s important to be aware that Child Benefit and Scottish Child Payment are paid separately and will not arrive on the same day.

Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of payments - including the three Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods - which together have provided over £829 million in vital financial support at key stages of a child’s life. There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.

A recent survey found that the majority of families said that the payments helped their child to take part in social or educational opportunities and also helped them buy milk and healthy food for their children.

Respondents also said they found it straightforward to apply with more than 90 per cent of people noting the application was clear and did not take too long to complete. Full details on all benefits and grants for families living in Scotland can be found here.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville recently said: “As the First Minister has set out, eradicating child poverty is the number one priority for the Scottish Government.

“Scottish Child Payment plays a key part in that mission. Together with our Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments, this package of financial support, which is worth almost £25,000 per child by the time their child turns 16, is helping to make sure all children in Scotland get the best start in life.

“We have provided over £829 million to help people raise their families, putting money into the pockets of people who need it most.

“This crucial cash is available as soon as expectant parents know they are pregnant all the way through to their child starting nursery, then going to primary and secondary school and helps them cover costs of caring for their children.

“We know from our recent research that families say the application process is clear and doesn’t take too long to apply. So I would urge families to apply for our package of five family payments and get the money they are entitled to.”

Below is everything you need to know about the Scottish Child Payment, you can find more information and apply directly on MyGov.Scot here.

What is the Scottish Child Payment?

Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It is a weekly payment of £26.70 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age. You will get £26.70 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.

Join our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community here to receive alerts on the latest money news from benefits to shopping deals.