Social Security Scotland confirms that not all those eligible for best start grant school age payment will receive automatic awards

While majority of eligible families will receive payments automatically from 1 June 2023, some will need to make applications before the payment window closes on 29 February 2024

Social Security Scotland has confirmed that not all those eligible for a best start grant school age payment will receive awards automatically. From today, automatic awards of the school age payment will be made to parents, carers and guardians who are already getting Scottish child payment and who satisfy the school age payment eligibility conditions – that require claimants to be receiving universal credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits and have a child born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019. However, Social Security Scotland also confirms that some people will not receive awards automatically –

‘… a small number of people who receive housing benefit are eligible for school age payment but not Scottish child payment. They must apply for school age payment from June 1 before the window closes on 29 February 2024. Similarly, those who have chosen not to apply for Scottish child payment, and those who have opted out of automatic payments, should apply for school age payment from 1 June 2023.’

As a result, it advises people who do not receive an automatic award to seek more information and apply at mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222. For more information, see We have changed the way that we deliver Best Start Grant School Age Payment from gov.scot