Scottish Child Payment

The Scottish Government have launched the first round of the above benefit. This helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It's a weekly payment of £10 that you can get for every child you look after who's under 6 years of age. You'll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful.  Payments for older children are scheduled to be introduced at a later date

It's up to you what you choose to spend the money on. You could use Scottish Child Payment for things like:

·         travel costs

·         nappies and other essentials

·         childcare

·         family days out

Scottish Child Payment does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits that you, or any person in your household, currently get. Only one person can get Scottish Child Payment for a child.

You can apply online at  Scottish Child Payment - mygov.scot

or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Anyone applying for Scottish Child Payment will not get a decision until after 15 February 2021.

Criteria extended for Self-Isolation Support Grant.

The £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant is being significantly extended to more people on low incomes. 

The grant will soon also be available to workers earning the Real Living Wage or less, as well as those in receipt of a council tax reduction because of low income.

It was previously only available to people on one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
• Income Support;
• Housing Benefit; and/or
• Pension Credit.

People with caring responsibilities for someone over 16 who is asked to self-isolate, where the carer themselves meet the other eligibility criteria, can also get the grant.

In addition, the Scottish Government is lengthening the period during which people can apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant. They will now be able to apply within 28 days of being told to self-isolate.

The changes will take effect from 16 February 2021to allow local authorities time to change their systems and application forms, but eligibility will be backdated to 2 February. 

You can call the Self-Isolation Support National Helpline on 0800 111 4000

If you live in East Dunbartonshire details of the scheme can be found here

Self-Isolation Grants | East Dunbartonshire Council