By 31 March, more than 3,230 Scottish Child Payment awards had been made to North Ayrshire families since its launch on 09 November 2020.
Our SNP Government is the only government in the UK that has introduced this benefit, in addition to the standard Child Benefit. It is intended to help low-income families with the costs of raising a child, supporting qualifying parents and carers £40 every four weeks for each child under six.
In line with the SNP’s manifesto commitment, a double award will be made this year, in light of additional hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In North Ayrshire, 93% of the applications received and processed were approved, and payments started in February. By the end of March, more than £3.6 million had already been awarded across Scotland.
Parents and carers are able to apply for all eligible children in their household in a single application and can also apply for Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods at the same time.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“It is great to see so many North Ayrshire families benefitting from the Scottish Child Payment, making a positive impact on the lives of so many children. We are working hard to tackle child poverty and it is heartening to see the number of households being supported so quickly after the payment’s launch.
“It is a benefit unique to Scotland within the UK, and has been hailed as a potential ‘game-changer’ in the fight against child poverty.
“It shows how, with the welfare powers we have gained, the SNP Government is making a real, positive difference to the lives of young people and their families, boosting the life chances of children across the country
“The more powers we have in Scotland, the more people benefit from policies made for to support them.”
More information on the Scottish Child Payment and how to apply can be found here.
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