Parents from low-income households are being urged to apply for financial benefits which could offer help to their family.
The Best Start Grant School Age Payment opens today to families who get tax credits or certain other benefits and have a child who was born between March 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017.
Even if your child is not starting school, eligible parents and carers should still apply before the closing date on 28 February 2022.
The payment is part of five family payments delivered by Social Security Scotland that also include: Best Start Foods, Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and Scottish Child Payment.
Best Start Foods payments are set to increase to £4.50 per week on August 1 to support low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three.
To maximise the support available to families, income thresholds that apply to certain qualifying benefits are also set to increase.
Social security minister Ben Macpherson said: “The Scottish Government is working hard to tackle poverty and to create a fairer society, with the powers and resources that we have.
"As part of this, we are set to increase our Best Start Foods payments within the first 100 days of this new term of government, and we are determined to make sure families with young children get all the financial help that is available.
“We are providing support worth about £5,000 by the time a child turns six through our Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and the Scottish Child Payment.
“Access to financial support is important and we want people get the money they are entitled to. So please check if you’re eligible and, if so, make sure to apply - and let others know too, so that together we can help build a fairer society here in Scotland.”
To apply for these payments visit mygov.scot/beststart or calling 0800 182 2222.
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