How low-income families can get £260 one-off payment…

How low-income families can get £260 one-off payment before schools stop for Christmas holidays

Families of an estimated 145,000 children will benefit from extra support this winter to help with cost of living pressures, backed by Scottish Government investment of £18.9 million. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced in October that Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments in December will double from £130 to £260.

Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6-15 year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment will land in bank accounts before the schools stop for Christmas holidays on December 23.

The extra support means families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year. All children registered to receive Free School Meals on the basis of family low income are eligible and will receive this payment automatically.

At the time of the announcement, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it because they don’t know if they can afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.

“As part of our help to the poorest families over last year and this, ahead of rolling out the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s, we have made quarterly Bridging Payments of £130 to children and young people in receipt of Free School Meals.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government will double the December Payment from £130 to £260.

“That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all of their worries go away - no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.”

How to get £260 December Bridging Payment

Payments are automatic, however, if you have not yet registered for Free School Meals, you can do it now to receive the December payment of £260.

Below is a list of all 32 Scottish councils with a direct link to the Free School Meals or Bridging Payments section.

December Bridging Payments

Inverclyde Council

£260 before December school holidays

Renfrewshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

West Dunbartonshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

East Dunbartonshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Glasgow City Council

£260 before December school holidays

East Renfrewshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

North Lanarkshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Falkirk Council

£260 by December 21

West Lothian Council

£260 before December school holidays

Edinburgh City Council

£260 before December school holidays

Midlothian Council

£260 before December school holidays

East Lothian Council

£260 before December school holidays

Clackmannanshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Low-income families to receive £260 payment before Christmas school holidays (Getty Images)

Fife Council

£260 before December school holidays
£50 additional payment for kids' winter coats - This is an additional payment that will be automatically paid into the bank accounts of those entitled to the free school meals and clothing grant. You do not need to apply for this payment if you already get the free school meals and clothing grant.

Dundee City Council

£260 before December school holidays

Angus Council

£260 on or around December 23

Aberdeenshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Aberdeen City Council

£260 before December school holidays

Moray Council

£260 before December school holidays

Highland Council

£260 before December school holidays

Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles Council)

£260 before December school holidays

Argyll and Bute Council

£260 by December 23

Perth and Kinross Council

£260 by December 23

Stirling Council

£260 by December 23

North Ayrshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

East Ayrshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

South Ayrshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Dumfries and Galloway Council

£260 before December school holidays

South Lanarkshire Council

£260 before December school holidays

Scottish Borders Council

£260 before December school holidays

Orkney Islands Council

£260 before December school holidays

Shetland Islands Council

£260 before December school holidays

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How low-income families can get £260 one-off payment before schools stop for Christmas holidays

How to get £260 December Bridging Payment

December Bridging Payments

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