Parents should apply for payment
Parents in Scotland are being urged to apply for School Age Payment before applications close at the end of this month.
With applications closing on Saturday February 29, eligible families have less than a month to claim a one-off £250 payment for a child born between March 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015. The funds can be used for anything from educational toys to travel, or after school activities.
Parents who have deferred their child’s entry to school from August 2019 to August 2020, or those home schooling, should still apply before the closing date.
The payment is part of the Best Start Grant, a package of three payments for families in receipt of eligible benefits – including Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit and tax credits – to help at key stages in a child’s life.
Social security secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said: ‘We’ve had great take-up for the School Age Payment since it launched last June with almost 20,000 applications in the three months between June and September.
‘We want to reach as many people as possible so are using this campaign to raise further awareness of the School Age Payment to encourage eligible families who have not applied, to get their applications in before the end of this month.
‘Covering the costs of a child starting school can put pressure on family finances. The School Age Payment is there for those who need financial support at this key milestone in their child’s life.
‘Making sure that everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to is a clear example of how we are doing things differently, putting dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of our new service.’
Lori Dobie, from Fife applied for the School Age Payment when her daughter started school, she said: ‘The application only took five to 10 minutes, it was pretty straightforward.
‘I was quite relieved when I found out I was getting the money. It takes the pressure off being a single parent and trying to run a household and get your child ready for school.
‘Having the extra money towards her stuff for school was a massive help.’
To find out about eligibility criteria and how to apply more information can be found at mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222.