THE Scottish Child Payment doubles to £20 from April 1. If you are in receipt of benefits, whether in employment or not, you are likely eligible to receive it - but you must make an application.
Neil Cowan of the Poverty Alliance told The National: “We would urge everyone who thinks they might benefit from the payment to apply as soon as they can," adding that “we need government, local authorities and civil society organisations to each do their bit in making sure people know this money is available to them.”
While welcoming the news, Cowan adds that to meet our child poverty targets in Scotland that we need to see further increases, and more people being made eligible. “We can end child poverty”, he tells us. “All we need is the right policies and the political will.”
So what is the Scottish Child Payment - and how can you apply?
What is the Scottish Child Payment?
The Scottish Child Payment helps is a weekly payment of - now £20 - that you can recieve for every child you look after under 6 years of age. You receive it every four weeks and can choose what to spend the money on. It does not affect any UK or Scottish Government benefits you or any other person in your household may receive.
Who is eligible?
Only one person can claim Scottish Child Payment for the same child. If you live in Scotland, you and/or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits or payments, and you and/or your partner are the main caretakers of a child under 6, you are likely to be eligible. If you are not in receipt of any benefits - but have applied for certain ones - you can still apply for Scottish Child Payment. For a full list of eligible benefits, visit the Scottish Government’s website.
Additionally, if you are in receipt of benefit payments from a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you may be eligible to apply for the Scottish Child Payment. Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 for more information.
If you have had a sanction or deduction placed on any benefits you are in receipt of, this will not affect the decision made on your application for the Scottish Child Payment.
How can you apply?
The Scottish Child Payment does not operate on an auto-enrol system: you must make an application to receive it. Prior to making your application, you will need the birth dates of the children you are applying for, your partner’s details (if partnered), and your bank details if you have an account, to hand.
You can apply online, through the phone, by post or through video relay if you are a British Sign Language (BSL) user.
ONLINE: Apply through Social Security Scotland’s online form here. You can only apply in English online - for other languages, apply through phone or post.
PHONE: Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to make your application over the phone. The opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. You can apply in over 100 languages through the phone.
POST: You can download a paper form to print out on the Scottish Government website here. Alternatively, if you'd like a pre-paid envelope to send documents to Social Security Scotland, call them free on 0800 182 2222 to be sent one out - over 100 languages are available.
VIDEO RELAY: For those who communicate through BSL, you can download the Scottish Government’s free app here to make your application.
How is the cost of living crisis affecting you?
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