SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT OPENS EARLY FOR APPLICATIONS

SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT OPENS EARLY FOR APPLICATIONS

The new Scottish Child Payment - which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight to tackle child poverty - will open early for applications this month.

 

MSP Angela Constance has encouraged parents and carers in West Lothian who are eligible to apply now so that the Scottish Government can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year.

 

The Scottish Government has prioritised the early introduction of the new benefit, which will provide eligible families on low incomes with a child under 6, an extra £10 per week for each child. 

 

Latest figures estimate that 194,000 children aged under-6 in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment - with over 7,200 children set to benefit across West Lothian.

 

Ms Constance said: 

 

“The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious, game-changing new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty in West Lothian and across Scotland. 

 

“This support is needed more than ever, and it’s early introduction for under 6s - almost two years ahead of the original commitment for a new payment - will be a lifeline for so many families. 

 

 

“This benefit will be a lifeline for many children, young people and their families in West Lothian. I’d encourage anyone who is eligible to apply as soon as possible.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes: 

 

 

The below calculations use the NRS mid-year population stats by age and local authority Calculations are based on the latest 194,000 figure and are estimates of the local population.  https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/guidance-resources/resources

 

Council areas	Express as
Aberdeen City	over 8,000
Aberdeenshire	over 10,000
Angus	nearly 4,000
Argyll and Bute	over 2,500
City of Edinburgh	over 17,500
Clackmannanshire	over 1,800
Dumfries and Galloway	over 4,500
Dundee City	over 5,200
East Ayrshire	over 4,400
East Dunbartonshire	about 4,000
East Lothian	over 4,000
East Renfrewshire	over 3,700
Falkirk	about 5,700
Fife	around 13,300
Glasgow City	over 23,200
Highland	around 7,800
Inverclyde	over 2,500
Midlothian	around 4,100
Moray	over 3,100
Na h-Eileanan Siar	over 800
North Ayrshire	over 4,400
North Lanarkshire	nearly 13,000
Orkney Islands	over 700
Perth and Kinross	over 4,800
Renfrewshire	over 6,300
Scottish Borders	over 3,800
Shetland Islands	over 800
South Ayrshire	over 3,500
South Lanarkshire	over 11,800
Stirling	over 3,000
West Dunbartonshire	over 3,200
West Lothian	over 7,200

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