Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Shannon Milmine

Lanarkshire families with children starting school eligible for one-off payment this year

Families with children starting school in South Lanarkshire this year could be eligible to apply for a one-off grant.

The council is urging families to check if they are eligible for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment, and applications are open for children old enough to start primary school.

The one-off payment of £267.65 is available to help at a key stage in a child’s life and can be used for anything from books or arts and crafts to a new pair of shoes.

The grant is available to families who get Universal Credit, tax credits or certain benefits with children born between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2018.

Those who have deferred their child’s entry to school from August 2022 to August 2023, or those homeschooling should still apply before February 2023 or they will lose out on their payment. There is no cap on the number of children in a household who can get this payment.

Chairwoman of South Lanarkshire Council’s education resources committee, Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, said: “I would encourage anyone who thinks they may qualify for this payment to check if they are eligible, and if so to apply for the grant as soon as possible.

“It can be used for whatever your child needs, and I am sure it will be very welcome given the rising costs so many families are facing at the moment.”

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is one of the Scottish Government’s five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland. The package includes Scottish Child Payment, three Best Start Grants, and Best Start Foods.

From the end of this year, both the Best Start Grant School Age Payment and the Best Start Early Learning Payment will be paid automatically to families who get Scottish Child Payment when their child is of eligible age.

Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.