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Scottish Child Payment

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This advice applies in Scotland only.

Scottish Child Payment is a payment from Social Security Scotland made to low-income families.

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What is a Scottish Child Payment?

Scottish Child Payment is a Social Security Scotland payment for low-income families. You receive a payment of £26.70 per week for each eligible child in your family.

There is no limit to the number of children that you can receive the payment for. Children who are affected by the two-child limit in Universal Credit or tax credits can still get it.

How do I qualify for a Scottish Child Payment?

To qualify, a family must be receiving ‘a qualifying benefit’. This means you must be getting one of the following:

You also need to show that you are the person responsible for the child in question. You are responsible for them if either:

  • You get child benefit for them.
  • The child is included in your Universal Credit, tax credits or Pension Credit claim.
  • You are their kinship carer.

Special rules apply if more than one household applies for the same child.

How to apply

You need to apply for the Scottish Child Payment. It won’t get it automatically.

To apply, call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit mygov.scot/benefits

Getting the payment will not affect any other benefits or tax credits you receive.

If you are already getting a Scottish child payment for one child and you start to be responsible for another child, let Social Security Scotland know. You shouldn’t have to make another claim – instead your existing award should be reviewed and an extra payment added. You may be asked to complete a change of circumstances form as part of this process.


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