Applications open for Best Start Grant School Age Payment.
Families across Scotland can now apply for over £330 to help with
the costs of preparing for primary school, as applications for
Best Start Grant School Age Payment open today (1 June 2026).
The payment, unique to Scotland, is available to eligible
families with children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February
2022. It is designed to ease the financial pressures that come
with a child starting primary one and can be spent on anything
families need – from clothes and stationery to school trips.
Whether a family can receive the payment depends on the child's
age and when they are first old enough to start primary school,
typically between 4 and 5 years.
Importantly, families do not need to wait until their child
starts school to apply. Those who are deferring their child's
start date, or whose child will not be attending school, are
still eligible and must apply before applications close on 28
February 2027.
Families receiving Scottish Child Payment who are eligible for
School Age Payment should get an automated payment and do not
need to apply.
Social Justice Secretary , said:
"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.
“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.”
Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager said: "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."
Background:
School Age Payment is a payment of £331.95 per child.
Applications for children born between 1 March 2021 and 28
February 2022 are open from 1 June 2026 to 28 February 2027.
To get Best Start Grant School Age Payment the person applying
will normally need to be receiving one of the following payments:
Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension
Credit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or income-related
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Families have until 28 February 2027 to submit their application.
The payment is also open to kinship carers and adoptive parents
who meet the eligibility criteria.
Parents and carers can apply for multiple children, provided each
child falls within the eligible age range at the time of
application. Social Security Scotland will usually make the
payment once per child, although additional payments may be made
in certain circumstances — for example, if a child moves to live
with a different kinship carer or adoptive parent within the same
application window.
Full eligibility details and how to apply visit Best Start
Grant and Best Start Foods - mygov.scot
The application window for children born between 1 March 2020 and
28 February 2021 has now closed.
School Age Payment is separate from the School Clothing Grant and
does not affect eligibility for that payment. Families who
wish to apply for both are welcome to do so.
For more information on School Age Payment and to apply,
visit Best Start
Grant and Best Start Foods - mygov.scot
Cost of the School Day is a project delivered by Child Poverty
Action Group in Scotland. It works with schools and local
authorities to identify and remove hidden financial barriers in
schools so that children from low-income families can fully
participate, feel included and reach their full potential.
https://cpag.org.uk/education
