New Scottish child benefit open for applications next week

Applications are due to open for the new Scottish child payment.

A new child payment for low-income families with children under the age of six opens for applications next week, although the benefit will not be paid out until next February.

Social Security Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said the Scottish Child Payment will give eligible families an extra £10 per child per week, and claimed it was being introduced two years ahead of the original date pledged by the Scottish Government.

However, the monthly benefit for younger children had been due to be paid before Christmas, with a full roll-out to take in children up to the age of 16 not due to take place until 2022. The Covid pandemic derailed the December date and despite pressure from poverty campaigners, while applications open on November 9 first payments won't happen until February 15 next year.