As of today, Social Security Scotland can undertake final eligibility checks and issue decisions regarding applications to the Scottish Child Payment.
This new benefit, unique to Scotland, will give qualifying parents and carers £40 every four weeks for each child under six.
More than 77,000 Scottish Child Payment applications have been received since Social Security Scotland started taking them on 09 November, with 1,810 coming from North Ayrshire.
The first payments will arrive later this month.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said:
“The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK.
“In 2021/22 we will invest £3.6 billion in social security payments to support carers, young people, and low-income families, including £68 million for this new payment. Significantly more families now rely on benefits due to the pandemic, some perhaps for the first time. The Scottish Child Payment will help lift children in Scotland out of poverty.
“We are proactively promoting this payment and have written to everyone on the Universal Credit and HMRC tax credit databases who may be eligible inviting them to apply.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Payments for those who applied today or earlier will be paid from today.
“Parents and carers who apply after today will have their payment calculated from the day they apply, so I encourage anyone in North Ayrshire who may be eligible and hasn’t yet applied, to take 10 minutes and do so today”.
To apply, please visit: mygov.scot/benefits or call: 0800 182 2222.
ENDS
