What is the Scottish Child Payment?

A weekly payment of £28.20 per child (under 16) for families on low incomes in Scotland, as of 2026/27. It's paid by Social Security Scotland on top of UK benefits like Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit. Not available elsewhere in the UK.

Who is eligible for Scottish Child Payment?

You need to: live in Scotland, be responsible for a child under 16, and receive a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Pension Credit). Apply through Social Security Scotland.

How much is Scottish Child Payment 2026/27?

£28.20 per week per child, which is £1,466.40 per year per child. Paid every 4 weeks. For a family with 2 children, that's £2,932.80 per year extra. Payment is in addition to other benefits, not instead of.

Does Scottish Child Payment affect Universal Credit?

No — Scottish Child Payment is not counted as income for Universal Credit or other UK benefits. It doesn't reduce your other payments. It's designed to be extra money specifically for Scottish families with children.

Scottish Child Payment — Complete Guide | PocketWise

The Scottish Child Payment is a benefit unique to Scotland that helps families with children on low incomes.

Overview

What It Is

Feature	Details
Amount	£28.20 per week (2026/27)
Per child	Under 16
Paid by	Social Security Scotland
Started	2021 (expanded 2022)
UK equivalent	None

Annual Value

Children	Weekly	4-Weekly	Annual
1 child	£28.20	£112.80	£1,466.40
2 children	£56.40	£225.60	£2,932.80
3 children	£84.60	£338.40	£4,399.20
4 children	£112.80	£451.20	£5,865.60

Eligibility

Basic Requirements

Requirement	Details
Live in Scotland	Must be resident
Responsible for child	Under 16
Receive qualifying benefit	See list below

Qualifying Benefits

UK Benefit	Eligible?
Universal Credit	Yes
Child Tax Credit	Yes
Income Support	Yes
Income-based JSA	Yes
Income-related ESA	Yes
Pension Credit	Yes
Working Tax Credit (alone)	No
Child Benefit (alone)	No

Who Counts as Responsible

Situation	Eligible?
Parent child lives with	Yes
Guardian	Yes
Kinship carer	Yes
Foster carer	No (other support)
Non-resident parent	Usually no

Child Age

Age	Eligible?
0-15 years	Yes
16+	No
Turns 16	Payment stops
16-19 in education	Separate support available

How to Apply

Application Process

Step	Details
1	Check eligibility
2	Apply online or by phone
3	Social Security Scotland processes
4	Decision within weeks
5	Payment begins

Apply Through

Method	Details
Online	mygov.scot
Phone	0800 182 2222
Post	Form available
Help	Local advice services

What You Need

Information	Details
Your details	Name, address, NI number
Child’s details	Name, DOB
Bank details	For payment
Benefit details	Which you receive

Payment Details

When Paid

Frequency	Details
Every 4 weeks	Regular cycle
In arrears	For previous 4 weeks
Direct to	Your bank account

Payment Schedule

Registration	First Payment
Apply and approved	Usually within 6 weeks
Backdated	To application date
First payment	May be larger (arrears)

Interaction with Other Benefits

Does NOT Affect

Benefit	Impact on Payment
Universal Credit	None
Child Tax Credit	None
Housing Benefit	None
Council Tax Reduction	None
Other benefits	Generally none

Why It’s Protected

Feature	Details
Not counted as income	For UK benefits
Additional support	Not replacement
Scottish-specific	Designed this way

Combined Support Example

Family with 2 Children (UC)

Payment	Monthly
Universal Credit	£1,200 (example)
Child Benefit	£195 (example, at 2026/27 rates)
Scottish Child Payment	£244
Total	£1,639

*Figures illustrative — Universal Credit amount depends on individual circumstances; Child Benefit and Scottish Child Payment monthly figures are averaged from weekly rates.

Compared to England

Support	Scotland	England
Universal Credit	Same	Same
Child Benefit	Same	Same
Scottish Child Payment	£244/month	£0
Extra in Scotland	£244/month

Other Scottish Benefits

Benefit	Details
Best Start Grant	One-off payments
Best Start Foods	Food support
Scottish Child Payment	Ongoing weekly
Carer Support Payment / Scottish Carer Supplement	Weekly top-up for carers

Best Start Grant (2026/27)

Payment	Amount	When
Pregnancy & Baby	£796.65 (first child) / £398.35 (later children)	Pregnancy to 6 months after birth
Early Learning	£331.95	Age 2-3.5
School Age	£331.95	Starting school

Best Start Foods (2026/27)

Paid every 4 weeks via a prepaid card.

Payment	Weekly rate	4-weekly amount
During pregnancy	£5.60/week	£22.40
Child under 1	£11.20/week	£44.80
Child 1-3	£5.60/week	£22.40

Changes of Circumstances

What to Report

Change	Action
Move address	Report within 1 month
Child turns 16	Payment auto-stops
Lose qualifying benefit	Report immediately
Child moves out	Report

How to Report

Method	Details
Online	mygov.scot account
Phone	0800 182 2222
Promptly	To avoid overpayment

If Circumstances Change

Situation	Impact
Lose UC	May lose SCP too
Move to England	Lose SCP
New child	Apply for them too
Child leaves	Payment reduces

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Question	Answer
Do I need to reapply?	No, automatic renewal
Can both parents claim?	Only one per child
What if I share custody?	Main carer claims
Is it taxed?	No

Backdating

Situation	Backdating
Late application	Usually only to application date
Eligible earlier	Limited backdating
Apply promptly	To not lose payments

How to Maximise Support

Check All Entitlements

Check	Why
Universal Credit	Gateway to SCP
Best Start Grant	Additional lump sums
Best Start Foods	Weekly food card
Council Tax Reduction	May qualify
School Clothing Grant	Additional support

If Not Claiming UC

Situation	Action
Working but low income	Check UC eligibility
On legacy benefits	May still qualify
Pension age	Pension Credit can qualify

Summary

Key Points

Feature	Details
Amount	£28.20/week/child (2026/27)
Annual value	£1,466 per child
Who	Low income families in Scotland
Qualifying benefit	UC, Tax Credits, etc.
Doesn’t affect	Other benefits

Quick Eligibility

You Need	✓
Live in Scotland
Child under 16
Receive qualifying benefit
Apply to	Social Security Scotland

Apply Now

If Eligible	Action
Don’t delay	Apply promptly
Easy process	Online or phone
Extra support	Scotland-only benefit
Significant money	£1,466+/year per child

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