By Monday 19 December, we will make two payments to parents and carers of children and young people attending primary or secondary school and who qualify for free school meals based on family circumstances.
A total of £287.00 per High School child and £284.75 per Primary School child, made up of:
– a payment of £260 per child as part of the Scottish Government extending the Scottish Child Payment to children aged six to 16 (known as a bridging payment)
– a payment of £27.00 per High School child and £24.75 per Primary School child in place of free school meals over the Christmas break and teacher strike action days
Payments are only made to families who qualify (are on certain benefits) and who have already applied for free school meals for this school year (August 2022 to June 2023).
Children in primary classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all entitled to a school meal regardless of their circumstances. That means parents with children in these classes will only receive a payment if:
– the child’s family qualify based on their circumstances (certain benefits)
– the parent has already applied for free school meals for this school year (August 2022 to June 2023).
If you’ve already applied, please don’t apply again. You will receive your payment automatically.
If you haven’t applied, you can apply now. Anyone who applies before 20 December will get a payment before Christmas. Anyone who applies before 24 December, will get a payment in the New Year.
Nursery children are not eligible for the bridging payment because they are already entitled to the Scottish Child Payment. But nursery parents can apply for a one-off payment called Best Start Grant if their child is aged between 2 and 3-and-a-half years old and they are on certain benefits.
Since 14 November, all families with children or teenagers aged 6 to 16 can apply for the Scottish Child Payment if they met the criteria. This means the bridging payment included in the Christmas break payments will be the last one because families are now expected to apply directly.
If you are struggling to pay bills or have money worries, you can also speak to our helpful Advice Works team who can give you free and confidential help and support. Search ‘Advice Works’ on our website.
