Social Security Scotland
If you have children, make sure you’re getting all of the income you are entitled to. Support is available for costs during pregnancy, babies, pre-school and school age children, and for school meal and clothing costs.
What family benefits does Social Security Scotland deliver?
Scottish Child Payment
A payment of £25 is made every four weeks for each eligible child under the age of six. There are no limits on the number of eligible children supported by Scottish Child Payment.
Find out more and apply at: mygov.uk/scottish-child-payment
Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment
If you are pregnant or have a baby under 6 months old and you get tax credits or certain benefits, you could be eligible for a Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment. There is no cap on the number of children it supports. The payment is £642.35 for your first child, and reduces for any subsequent child. You can apply from 24 weeks of pregnancy until your baby is 6 months old.
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
A payment of £267.56 is made per child when they are between the ages of 2 and 3.5 years. You can still apply if your child is not taking up a place at nursery.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment
A payment of £267.56 is made per child to help eligible families with the costs of starting school. Visit mygov.scot/beststart for application dates and guidance on when to apply even if you are deferring.
Best Start Foods
You can get money on a pre-paid chip and pin Mastercard. This is paid every four weeks during pregnancy and up to when a child turns 3 years old. The card can be used to buy healthy food including eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses.
Child Winter Heating Assistance
A payment of £214.10 to help families with children and young people with a disability with the cost of energy.
Who can get these payments?
People can apply for these payments whether in work or not and may be eligible if they, or their partner, are the parent or full-time carer of a child and are in receipt of tax credits or certain benefits.
To find out more about Social Security Scotland benefits and Best Start grants at: mygov.scot/best-start or call Freephone 0800 182 222.
Child Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment is a new benefit from the Scottish Government to provide money to help with the extra care and mobility costs children and young people with a disability may have, up to the age of 18. This new benefit is replacing Disability Living Allowance for children living in Scotland.
You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16. The disability can be mental or physical. Social Security Scotland will pay Child Disability Payment until the child is 18. You can also apply for Child Disability Payment if the disabled child does not have a diagnosis. In such cases, you can tell Social Security Scotland about how they’re affected and any symptoms they may have.
Those already receiving Disability Living Allowance for children do not need to make a new application as Social Security Scotland will contact them ahead of their award being automatically transferred. This is happening in a phased approach and should be complete by spring 2023.
Adult Disability Payment
Adult Disability Payment is a benefit for adults of working age with a disability or health condition and will replace Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance currently delivered through the Department for Work and Pensions.
Clients who are already getting Personal Independence Payment or Disability Allowance Payments will not need to make a new application for Adult Disability Payment, existing clients will have their awards transferred automatically. New clients across East Lothian can apply for Adult Disability Payment.
Find out more and apply at: www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment
Job Start Payment
This is a new Social Security Scotland benefit to help with the costs of starting a new job. 16 to 24 year olds who have been out of work and receiving a qualifying benefit for at least six months can apply. Also eligible are 16 to 25 year old care leavers who have been out of work and receiving a qualifying benefit on the day they receive their job offer.
Social Security Scotland also administer the following benefits:
- Child Winter Heating Assistance
- Carer’s Allowance Supplement
- Young Carer Grant
- Funeral Support Payment
Find out more and apply at: www.socialsecurity.gov.scot or call Freephone 0800 182 2222.