Those who are eligible for the School Age Payment should apply by the 29th February 2024 in order to receive this one off payment towards the cost of a child starting school.

The School Age Payment is a payment of £294.70 per child starting school. Eligible families are those who have one or more children born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019, or who have deferred their child’s entry to school from 2023 to 2024. 

The money can be spent on anything you need for your child at this age. This could include clothes, school trips, or stationery for school.

This payment does not affect other benefits and there is no cap on the number of children who can be supported if you have multiple children starting school this year.

Parents or carers who receive tax credits, Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit may be eligible. 

The Scottish Government can now make automatic payments for certain benefits without you having to apply, so if you already receive Scottish Child Payment you may have already received the School Age Payment. If you do not already receive the Scottish Child Payment the School Age Payment has to be applied for separately. You can apply online, by phone, or by post, and you can find out more and do so here: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/how-to-apply 

The School Age Payment is the final payment in the Best Start Grant, which also includes a Pregnancy and Baby Payment and an Early Learning Payment. You can find out more about these payments here: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods