Low-income families across Scotland will benefit from a cash boost of at least £130 before the schools stop for the October holidays. Payments started being issued in the last week of September to parents and guardians who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals.
The £130 payment is the minimum being awarded in council areas across Scotland, some may be increasing this to help families with the increasing cost of living. One member of the Daily Record money saving Facebook group shared details from her own local authority area - North Ayrshire Council - which is providing payments of £230.
The bridging payments are being made four times this year by the Scottish Government and the final one for 2022 is due to arrive before the school holidays start in December. These payments are available for each child who gets free school meals because of low income.
What are bridging payments?
The Scottish Child Payment is currently £20 a week and given to eligible families for each child under the age of six, however, from November 14 the eligibility criteria is changing to include children up to the age of 16 and the weekly payment is rising to £25.
Until then the Scottish Government will pay eligible families Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments, which do not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
Who can get it?
You could get the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals. This is usually because you're on a low income or getting certain benefits.
Check the full eligibility criteria for free school meals if you're not sure.
You might also get the payment if you're experiencing financial hardship.
For example, if:
- you're waiting for your first Universal Credit payment
- your immigration status means you cannot get help from the government
It’s important to be aware that you cannot get these payments if your child is in early learning and childcare (nursery).
How to get the payments
Your local council will make any payment.
If your child gets free school meals because you're on a low income and get a qualifying benefit you do not need to apply for it - your local council will make the payment to you automatically.
You have to apply for free school meals to get the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria for them and:
- you have never applied before or had help with school meals during the school holidays
- your child gets universal free school meals in primary 1 to 5
Scottish Child Payment qualifying benefits
- Universal Credit, or waiting for your first payment of Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Contact your local council to apply for school meals and get the payment - you can use the council finder on mygov.scot here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.
