Parents across Scotland are being urged to check if they can claim a one-off £331.95 payment to help with the cost of starting primary school. The Best Start Grant School Age Payment is available for children born between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, with applications open until February 28, 2027.
Automatic Payments for Some Families
Families already receiving Scottish Child Payment who qualify will get the money automatically, with no separate application needed. The payment can be spent on school uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery, and other essentials.
Social Security Scotland is reminding families to review their entitlements as household costs rise ahead of the new term.
Other Support Available
The Best Start Grant also includes an Early Learning Payment of £331.95 for children aged between two and three-and-a-half, helping with books, clothing, and toys. Eligible households on Scottish Child Payment receive this automatically too.
Best Start Foods offers a pre-paid card for healthy food from pregnancy until a child turns three, with weekly rates of £11.20 (higher rate) or £5.60 (lower rate).
Scottish Child Payment and More
Scottish Child Payment provides £112.80 every four weeks for each eligible child under 16, usually linked to benefits like Universal Credit. The School Age Payment is separate from the School Clothing Grant, so families may receive both.
Other support includes Child Benefit (up to £27.05 weekly for the eldest child), Universal Credit child element, Pregnancy and Baby Payment (up to £796.65), and Child Disability Payment (up to £778.40 every four weeks).
Parents can check eligibility and apply at MYGOV.SCOT.
