Low income Scottish families can now apply for a grant to help cover the cost of sending children to school .
The payment is part of the Scottish Government’s new Best Start Grant package to support 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.
The application process is open from today, Monday June 3, for any children starting school in August.
The one-off £250 will cover the cost in sending your child to school for the first time - including books, uniform, shoes, and anything else they may need.
The Best Start Grant package also includes Pregnancy and Baby Payment, and the Early Learning Payment.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am committed to making sure that every child gets the support they need to have the best start in life. We have found out where we need to promote the payment and who we need to work with – including health and childcare professionals - to make sure that people know that they are entitled.
"We want to increase financial support to families, bringing equality to children across Scotland by giving them help towards a fairer start.”
Green Party MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie, said: “Hundreds of thousands of Scots every year miss out on social security payments because either they do not know they can claim, or aren’t supported to do so. Over £1bn goes unclaimed every year.
“As a new form of assistance, it is all the more important that the Scottish Government maximises the number of eligible families who are aware of what they can get and who apply successfully.
“That is why Greens have been calling for expansion of income maximisation schemes that raise awareness of social security entitlements and offer support to apply for them. One such scheme, Healthier, Wealthier Children, which is putting millions into the pockets of families when it would otherwise go unclaimed, is being rolled-out across Scotland because of Green action.
“We should be building a new Scottish social security system that doesn’t simply wait and hope people will apply, but actively reach out to make people aware of what support they are due and ensure that gets to them. Making families aware that children starting school can get this new help is an important part of that.”
To apply, or to find out more, click here .
