Here's how Scottish parents can apply for £319 one-off payment to help with school costs
School Age Payment is worth £319.80 for each child to help with the cost of preparing for school.
Parents, carers and guardians are being urged to check whether they are eligible for a one-off payment worth £319.80.
The Best Start Grant School Age Payment is made per eligible child in Scotland and aims to help with the costs of preparing them for school.
Application for School Age Payment opened on June 1, 2025 and will be open until midnight on February 28, 2026.
School Age Payment is worth £319.80 for each child to help with the cost of preparing for school.
The payment helps carers and families facing additional costs at a key stage in a child’s development.
The money can be spent on anything a child needs for school, including clothes, school trips and stationery.
How do I receive School Age Payment?
Part of the Best Start Grant package, School Age Payment is available for children born between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021.
Parents and carers can receive the payment for multiple children born during this time and there is no requirement to take up a place at school.
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Social Security Scotland automatically pays School Age Payment to eligible people who get Scottish Child Payment.
If people do not receive Scottish Child Payment or have opted out of automatic payments, they are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 28 February, 2026.
A person may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if they or their partner meet all these conditions:
- live in Scotland
- are pregnant or have a child who’s the right age for a payment
- are the main person looking after the child
- get certain benefits or payments
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Some families who are not eligible for Scottish Child Payment might still be eligible for the School Age Payment.
This includes parents and carers who receive housing benefit; are under 18 and do not receive any other benefits; or are 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else who receives benefits for them.
Payment ‘helps ease’ financial pressures of starting school
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “School Age Payment helps ease the financial pressures of starting school while playing an important role in our mission to tackle child poverty.
“I strongly encourage parents and carers to check if they are eligible and apply before the February deadline to make sure their child gets the best start possible.”
To apply for School Age Payment, visit: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/how-to-appl
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