What is Scottish Child Payment?

For families in Scotland on low incomes with children under 16.

Applies to: Scotland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment from Social Security Scotland for families on low incomes with children under 16.

It is £28.20 a week for each eligible child from 1 April 2026.
You must live in Scotland and be responsible for the child.
You must get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
It is paid every 4 weeks.
Apply online, by phone on 0800 182 2222, or by post.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Wales: Check gov.wales for Wales
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

£28.20 a week per child
Children under 16
Need a qualifying benefit
Paid every 4 weeks

What Scottish Child Payment is

Scottish Child Payment is extra money for families in Scotland who are on a low income and have children under 16. It is paid by Social Security Scotland, on top of the benefit you already get. It only exists in Scotland.

Who it is for

You can get it if, on the date you apply:

your child is under 16
you live in Scotland (ordinarily resident)
you are responsible for the child
you get a qualifying benefit

The qualifying benefits are:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
income support
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Two older benefits were taken off this list on 23 June 2025, so check you get one of those above.

How much you get in 2026/27

Number of eligible children	Per week	Every 4 weeks	Per year (approx.)
1	£28.20	£112.80	£1,466
2	£56.40	£225.60	£2,933
3	£84.60	£338.40	£4,399

The rate of £28.20 a week has applied since 1 April 2026.

Example: a lone parent on Universal Credit has two children aged 3 and 9. They get £56.40 a week, paid as £225.60 every 4 weeks.

How it is paid

Payments are made every 4 weeks, in the last week of each 4-week period. Scottish Child Payment does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits you or anyone in your household get.

How to apply

Online: the form takes about 10 to 20 minutes and cannot be saved part way through.
By phone: call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
By post: ask for a paper form. Large print and pre-paid envelopes are available.

You will need:

your name, date of birth, address and National Insurance number
your children's names and dates of birth
your partner's details, including their National Insurance number, if you have one
your bank details, if you have an account

Help is available in over 100 languages, and BSL users can call through Contact Scotland BSL.

Things to know

Citizens Advice Scotland offers free help on 0800 028 1456.

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scottish Child Payment is only for people who live in Scotland.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for Scottish Child Payment

Common questions

How much is Scottish Child Payment in 2026/27?

£28.20 a week for each eligible child, from 1 April 2026.

Which benefits qualify for Scottish Child Payment?

Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

What do I need to apply?

Your name, date of birth, address and National Insurance number, your children's names and dates of birth, any partner's details, and bank details if you have an account.

Official sources

1.Scottish Child Payment Regulations 2020, regulation 18 (legislation.gov.uk)www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/351/regulation/18
2.Scottish Child Payment Regulations 2020, regulation 20 (legislation.gov.uk)www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/351/regulation/20
3.Scottish Child Payment Regulations 2020, regulation 14 (legislation.gov.uk)www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/351/regulation/14
4.Scottish Child Payment Regulations 2020, regulation 21 (legislation.gov.uk)www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/351/regulation/21
5.Scottish Child Payment: how to apply (mygov.scot)www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/how-to-apply

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.