Eligible families across Scotland can now apply for a grant exceeding £330, designed to assist with the financial demands of preparing a child for primary school. The Best Start Grant School Age Payment provides £331.95 per child and is available for those born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. The funds are versatile, covering essentials from school clothing to educational outings.
Applications for this payment opened on 1 June 2026 and will remain open until 28 February 2027.
Families currently receiving the Scottish Child Payment will automatically receive this grant and are not required to submit a separate application.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating:
“Starting school is a landmark moment in a child’s life, but sadly it can also put real financial pressure on families. That’s why we introduced the Best Start Grant School Age Payment – to help ensure that every child in Scotland can begin their school journey with what they need, regardless of their family’s circumstances.”
Ms Somerville further emphasised the broader policy context, adding: “This support is a vital part of our wider commitment to eradicating child poverty, making sure help reaches families at key moments in a child’s life.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager, remarked on the challenges faced by households:
“We know from our work with children and families that starting school adds real pressure to already stretched family finances. That’s why it’s really important that families apply for the financial support, like the School Age Payment, that they are entitled to.”
Eligibility and Application Process
The School Age Payment is a one-off sum of £331.95 per eligible child. For those not receiving the Scottish Child Payment, eligibility typically requires the applicant to be in receipt of specific benefits. These include Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
In Case You Missed It:
The application window accommodates children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022, with the final deadline for submission being 28 February 2027.
Importantly, the payment is also accessible to kinship carers and adoptive parents who meet the established eligibility criteria. Furthermore, families whose children are deferring their school start or will not be attending school remain eligible and must apply within the designated timeframe.
Parents and carers are able to apply for multiple children, provided each child falls within the specified age range during the application period. While typically a single payment is made per child, exceptions may apply, for instance, if a child moves to live with a different kinship carer or adoptive parent within the same application window.
