Scots school age welfare payment to come on stream in June

Scotland’s new Best Start Grant School Age payment will open for applications on 3 June, the Social Security Secretary announced today.

The benefit, to be delivered by Social Security Scotland, will see eligible families receive £250 to help with things such as educational toys and after school activities when their child transitions to school.

Parents and carers will be eligible if they are responsible for a child and receive certain qualifying benefits, including universal credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, pension credit, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit. Special rules apply to claimants still in their teens. Most people will be able to apply for a payment without sending any evidence, as Social Security Scotland will check DWP systems to verify information where possible.

Regulations have been laid before the Scottish Parliament to bring the benefit into force.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary, commented: "This payment follows the successful launch of the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, which received an unprecedented number of applications. I am delighted we have now paid out £1.3m to eligible families on low incomes in just its first month of operation.

"The new £250 payment will help families with the costs of preparing for school and will use the same eligibility as the extremely successful Pregnancy and Baby Payment, which has been welcomed by families across Scotland."

Further information can be found at mygov.scot/benefits or by calling 0800 182 2222.