What is the Scottish Child Payment?

The Scottish Child Payment is a payment for parents or carers who are responsible for a child under 16 years old and who are on a low income. It is paid every four weeks by Social Security Scotland. The amount is £26.70 per week for each child under 16.

Who can get the payment?

You are eligible to get the Scottish Child Payment if all of the following apply:

• you or your partner is responsible for a baby or child under 16 years of age - if you have more than one child under 16 you will get the £26.70 payment for each child
• you receive one of the following income-based benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • income-related Employment & Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit                          
• nobody else gets a Scottish Child Payment for the child
• you live in Scotland

Who is responsible for a child?

You or your partner must be responsible for a baby or child under six on the day that you apply for the Scottish Child Payment. You can show that you're responsible for the baby or child if you or your partner:

• gets Child Benefit for them, or
• is responsible for them for Child Tax Credit, the child element of Universal Credit or the child addition of Pension Credit, or
• is their kinship carer

How to apply

Payments will be calculated from the day you make the application so you should apply as soon as you are able to.

You can apply:

• online - How to apply - mygov.scot
• by phone - by calling Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
• by post - you can get a paper form on mygov.scot which you need to print out and complete and then send in the post

Getting support

If you have applied for the Scottish Child Payment and have had a problem with your application or are unhappy with the decision our Team can help.