Social Security Scotland has issued an important update for new and existing claimants of Scottish Child Payment. The devolved benefit is now worth £25 per week to parents and carers of children up to 16, worth £100 per month, per eligible child.
Following the rule change on November 14, Social Security Scotland announced that it has received a high volume of applications and is “working hard to process payments as quickly as possible”. It had previously reported that 89,000 applications were received in the first 48 hours of the eligibility age increase to 16 last month.
In the new update, Scotland’s devolved welfare department said that “many eligible new applicants will receive their payments before Christmas,” however, some new claimants or those adding an extra child to an existing claim may not get the payments until “early 2023”. It added that payments are backdated to the start of the application and those affected have been contacted to make them aware of the potential delays.
Social Security Scotland said: “We received a high volume of applications to Scottish Child Payment when it extended to under 16 year olds on 14 November, and we are working hard to process payments as quickly as possible.
“Many eligible new applicants will receive their payments before Christmas. Some clients who applied for the first time, or who added an extra child to an existing payment, in the first week of the extension may not get their payments until early 2023. We have contacted clients to make them aware of this so they are able to plan accordingly.
“If eligible, all payments will be calculated from the day that client applied or submitted a change of circumstances to add an extra child, so nobody should lose out financially.”
Social Security Scotland is also urging people not to phone and chase up an amended claim or new application as it means “fewer staff are able to process applications”.
It said: “When the phone lines become very busy it means that fewer staff are able to process applications.
“We would encourage clients to avoid calling for an update. Our staff are working hard to process applications and reduce processing times and we will be in touch with the client directly if we require any further information.”
If you are struggling with money, food or fuel bills this month, the Cost of Living Support Scotland website - created by the Scottish Government - offers information, advice and direct links to extra help you may be entitled to.
Find out more on the Cost of Living Support Scotland website here.
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