Scottish Child Payment explained
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Quick answer: Scottish Child Payment is a weekly top-up from Social Security Scotland for low-income families with children under 16. It is paid on top of Universal Credit and Child Benefit — it does not reduce your UC award. Apply at mygov.scot; backdating may be available to the date of application.
Scottish Child Payment is one of Scotland's key anti-poverty benefits, administered separately from DWP. It targets families on qualifying benefits and is ignored as income for Universal Credit calculations.
Last reviewed:
Read the full benefits & tax guide →Quick answer: Scottish Child Payment →Primary source: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment
Who qualifies
You must be the main carer of a child under 16 and receive a qualifying low-income benefit such as Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit or tax credits.
The child must normally live with you. Social Security Scotland checks benefit entitlement through data sharing — you do not need to send payslips if your qualifying benefit is already in payment.
Families with more than one eligible child receive a payment per child.
How it interacts with other benefits
Scottish Child Payment does not count as income for Universal Credit, so your UC standard allowance and elements are not reduced when you receive it.
Child Benefit continues separately — Scottish Child Payment is an additional Scottish top-up, not a replacement.
Report changes such as a child turning 16, moving out, or stopping your qualifying benefit promptly to avoid overpayments.
Applying and backdating
Apply online at mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment or by phone through Social Security Scotland. Have your National Insurance number and details of qualifying benefits ready.
Payments are usually made every four weeks into your bank account. If successful, entitlement may be backdated to the date Social Security Scotland received your application.
If refused, you can request a redetermination — Social Security Scotland's internal review — before appealing to the First-tier Tribunal.
Common questions
Does Scottish Child Payment replace the Universal Credit child element?
No. It is an extra Scottish payment on top of Universal Credit child elements and Child Benefit.
What if I move from Scotland to England?
Scottish Child Payment stops when you are no longer resident in Scotland or no longer receive a qualifying benefit. Report the move to Social Security Scotland promptly.
Can I get Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant?
Yes — they are separate schemes. Best Start Grant covers pregnancy, baby and school-age grants; Scottish Child Payment is the ongoing weekly top-up.