The Scottish Government is encouraging families to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment before the deadline at the end of this month to help with early learning costs.
Eligible families with children born between March 1, 2016 - February, 28 2017, are being urged to apply for the School Age Payment before applications close on February 28, 2022.
Parents or carers enrolling children in nursery this year are also being advised to check whether they are eligible for a one-off payment to help with early learning costs.
For Early Years Payment, eligible families who are in receipt of certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Social Security Scotland or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with a child who is aged between two to three and a half years old.
Parents or carers who are eligible for the Early Learning Payment will receive a one-off grant of £252.50.
The money can be used to help pay for clothes, equipment, bags, books or anything else which is helpful for people caring for children in that age range.
Social Security Scotland said that eligible families for School Age Payment may be parents or carers who are in receipt of certain benefits or Tax Credits with a child who is old enough to start school.
School Age Payment is a payment of £252.50 per child and is designed to support children at a key stage in their life.
It is not directly linked to taking up a school place.
Social Security Scotland explained: “As such, even if the child’s school start has been deferred until next year, or if the child is not going to start school at all, parents or carers should still apply for the payment by 28 February 2022.
“If they do not apply by this time, they will not be able to receive the payment.”
It added: “We want to ensure that everyone who is entitled to money for Early Learning or School Age Payment receives it.”
Full details on eligibility criteria, how the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods grant work and how to apply, visit the mygov.scot website here.
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