The Scottish Child Payment has been increased from £20 to £25 per week per child, meaning 3,190 families in West Dunbartonshire are set to receive a boost to their household incomes from the Scottish Government.
First launched in 2021 at £10 per week per child for children under the age of six, the Scottish Child Payment – which is only available in Scotland – provides direct financial support to eligible families and carers.
Eligibility for the payment has also been extended, meaning low-income families across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven with children up to the age of 15 can now apply for the Scottish Child Payment.
Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes is encouraging families to apply for the support, which has been described as ‘game-changing’ by anti-poverty charities.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“The extension of the Scottish Child Payment could be a turning point for families in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland as the support is extended from £20 to £25.
“We have already heard from anti-poverty charities about how the payment has been ‘game-changing’ for families with children under-6, and now as the support is extended to families with children under-16 more will have extra cash in their pockets to get through this Tory-made cost-of-living-crisis.
“The Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland. It demonstrates how the SNP is using the limited powers Holyrood has over social security to deliver the most ambitious child poverty reduction measure anywhere in the UK.”
Families, and carers can find out more and apply at mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
