Best Start Grant: School Age Payment
This vital payment will help parents with the startup costs associated with children starting school.
How can I apply for the School Age Payment?
You’ll be paid the School Age Payment automatically if you get Scottish Child Payment for your child who is the right age. You do not need to apply.
If you do not receive the Scottish Child Payment and want to apply for the School Age Payment, the time by which you need to apply for the School Age Payment depends on when your child was born. To find this information, please visit the mygov.scot website here.
For example, the application window is between the first of June in the year the child is old enough to start school until the last day of February in the following year.
As well as receiving one of the qualifying benefits, to receive the School Age Payment, you must:
- Have a child who is old enough to start school. However, your child does not have to take up a place at school.
- You cannot apply for a School Age Payment for a child born before 1st March 2014.
- You need to apply for the School Age Payment in the year that your child is first old enough to start school
If you are to be awarded the School Age Payment, you will receive both a determination letter and the payment.
How much is the School Age Payment?
The School Age Payment is a one-off payment, and you can find the current rate on the mygov.scot website here. It has been designed to assist with the costs that surround when a child starts primary school.
While you can spend the payment how you like, you may wish to purchase items associated with the startup costs of a child starting school such as uniforms, stationery, and after-school clubs.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, then it is important that you inform Social Security Scotland so that they can update your details and ensure that you do not break the law and, in turn, receive the right benefits.
Before informing Social Security Scotland of a change in circumstances, you will also need to alert HMRC, your local council, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
You should get in touch with Social Security Scotland if the following information changes: -
- Your name changes
- Your address changes
- You move house
- You stop getting a benefit
- You’re living circumstances have changed such as a partner no longer living with you
- You’re pregnant
- You’re no longer looking after a child
- You have started to look after a new child
- You’re contact details have changed
You can notify Social Security Scotland of these changes by either completing an online form or by phone on: 0800 182 2222.
