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Introduction

The information here outlines what financial help may be available for families with children of school age. It includes how universal credit can help you qualify for certain types of help, and other assistance that is available as well as universal credit.

Child benefit

Nearly all families with children can qualify for child benefit, except for some due to immigration status. 

Child benefit is recovered via income tax at a rate of 1 per cent for every £200 from an individual earning over £60,000. It is still payable to all families, regardless of income and should be claimed to protect the national insurance record for state pension.

Child benefit continues until 31 August after the child turns 16, or until the 20th birthday for a young person in full-time non-advanced education or approved training.

Claim online or download a claim form from gov.uk, or contact the child benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100 (textphone: 0300 200 3103).

Child benefit is payable at £26.05 a week for the eldest child and £17.25 a week for other children.

There is no limit to the number of children child benefit is payable for.

Universal credit (including child element)

Universal credit is paid in or out of work, depending on income. If you are a full-time student, you can get universal credit if you are responsible for a child.

You might not receive a child element for more than two children. There are exceptions to this two child limit.

You cannot get universal credit if you have more than £16,000 in capital or savings, unless you have moved from tax credits less than a year ago.

You can claim UC online at gov.uk, or contact the helpline on 0800 328 5644 (textphone: 0800 328 1344).

You can request flexible payments in Scotland so that you are paid twice a month and the amount for rent goes direct to your landlord if you choose.

Childcare element of universal credit

The childcare costs elements helps with 85 per cent of registered childcare costs, up to a monthly limit payable of £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children (the childcare element is not affected by the two child limit).

You can get help with costs of registered childcare if you are in work, any hours, as long as the amount of childcare is not considered excessive.

Couples usually have to be both in work, unless the non-working partner has limited capability for work or is temporarily absent from home.

The childcare element can continue to be paid for childcare costs in the monthly assessment period after you have stopped work.

If you need help to pay for childcare costs in advance before you can start work or increase hours, request a payment from the Flexible Support Fund (non-repayable) at your local Jobcentre. You can also apply for a budgeting advance from universal credit (repayable).

If you are not entitled to UC because your income is too high, see Tax-free childcare

Best Start Grant: School age payment

£319.80 to help with the costs of starting school. It is up to you what you spend it on, and you do not need to show receipts.

You qualify if you are:

  • aged under 18 (regardless of income or benefits); or
  • aged 18 or 19 and a dependant in someone else’s benefit claim because you are still in school or college; or
  • you or your partner are entitled to:
    • universal credit. You must have been getting any amount of universal credit in the monthly assessment period in which you apply, or the one before that. You are still entitled if your award has been reduced to nil because of a sanction.
    • pension credit; or
    • housing benefit.

Claim by phone on 0800 182 2222 or apply online or download a claim form from mygov.scot.

Claim from 1 June 2025 to 28 February 2026 if you are responsible for a child born from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021.

You can claim at any time within the 9-month application window. If you are waiting for a universal credit decision, you should still claim the payment within this window and then contact Social Security Scotland when awarded.

If you get Scottish child payment, the school age payment can be made automatically.

If you are pregnant or have younger children, you may also qualify for a Best Start Grant pregnancy and baby payment or early learning payment, and Best Start foods. For details, see benefits for children and young people.

Scottish child payment

£27.15 a week for each eligible child, if the parent is ordinarily resident in Scotland, responsible for a child under 16, entitled to a qualifying benefit:

  • universal credit; or
  • pension credit.

Apply online or download a claim form from mygov.scot. Or you can apply by phone or request a claim form on 0800 182 2222.

You can get Scottish child payment as well as child benefit and universal credit child elements.

There is no limit to the number of children Scottish child payment is payable for.

Free school meals

All P1-5 pupils attending school are entitled to free school meals.

P6 & P7 pupils are entitled to free school meals if you are getting Scottish child payment.

For any other pupils, you must be getting:

  • universal credit and earning no more than £850 in the monthly assessment period before you apply; or
  • asylum support from the Home Office.

If your child is in P1-5 and also eligible for free school meals due to universal credit or asylum support, you should still apply for free school meals to make sure that you get any additional support available during the school holidays.

Forms available from your local authority.

Free school meals may also be available on a discretionary basis, for example if you are getting pension credit, or you are not entitled to benefits due to your immigration status.

School clothing grants

Most children entitled to free school meals will also be entitled to the school clothing grant, although criteria can vary locally.

The school clothing grant is payable at a minimum of:

  • £120 per child of primary school age
  • £150 per child of secondary school age

Bookbug – free books in Primary 1-3

Scotland-wide scheme providing free books to all children, regardless of income.

Bookbags given out by schools during the autumn term.

For details see the Scottish Book Trust website, or phone 0131 524 0160.

Education maintenance allowance

A payment for 16-19 year olds in full-time non-advanced education with household income no more than £24,421 per (one child), or £26,884 (more than one child under 16 or under 25 in education).

Education maintenance allowance is £30 a week during term-time, paid fortnightly in arrears.

Apply to your local council. You can find more information on the mygov.scot website.

Free bus travel

5-21 year olds in Scotland can travel on buses for free, regardless of household income or benefits.

For details see the Transport Scotland website.

Tax-free childcare

The government will pay £2 for every £8 the parent pays into an online account, which can only be used to pay registered childcare providers. The maximum contribution from the government is £2,000 per child a year (£4,000 if the child is disabled). It is available to families with individual incomes up to £100,000 a year.

Tax-free childcare is not a helpful option for low income families because it cannot be paid at the same time as universal credit.

For further information see Childcare costs: getting support 

Warmer Homes Scotland

The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme can provide help with fuel costs, insulation and heating.

Anyone can get advice to reduce bills. Pregnant women and families with a child under 16 on universal credit may qualify for free central heating and insulation.

For more information phone Home Energy Scotland on Freephone 0808 808 2282 [MARK: I think there are better websites than EST: https://www.mygov.scot/energy-saving-funding/warmer-homes-scotland-scheme or https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/warmer-homes-scotland energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland]

Child Maintenance Service

Information for separated parents about their child maintenance arrangements.

For details, phone 0800 171 2345 or see the information on gov.uk.

Help with NHS costs

You may be able to get help with dental treatment, glasses, fares, wigs or fabric supports.

You qualify if you get universal credit, and monthly earnings £935 or less if you have children. You may qualify for partial help if you are on a low income.

For details, phone 0845 850 1166, or see the NHS inform website or leaflet HCS2 on the gov.scot website.

Dental treatment is free for children and young people under 26.

Child disability payment

Children with care needs can qualify from 3 months old (or earlier if terminally ill). Children with mobility needs can qualify from 3 years old. For further details see child disability payment.

Receipt of child disability payment for a child also means additional universal credit.

Apply online at mygov.scot, or phone 0800 182 2222 to start an application and get a paper form sent to you by post.

Child winter heating payment

Child winter heating payment is an annual payment of £255.80 in 2025. It is paid to families with a severely disabled child, aged 18 or under and entitled to the highest rate of the care component of child disability payment, or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of adult disability payment.

Child winter heating payment is paid automatically regardless of other income, savings or benefits.

Funeral support payment

This is a grant to help with the costs of a funeral when a partner, child, relative or close friend has died. You can qualify if you are getting universal credit or other benefits and are responsible for the funeral costs. You can claim from the date of death up to six months after the funeral.

Claim by phone on 0800 182 2222 or apply online or download a claim form from mygov.scot.

Scottish Welfare Fund grants

These are grants for people on a low income. A community care grant can be paid to families under exceptional pressure. A crisis grant may be paid to help with living expenses in an emergency.

Contact your local authority to apply.

Housing benefit

Housing benefit can help with rent for people of working age in supported or temporary accommodation, or people of pension age liable for rent. It can be paid whether in or out of work.

Contact your local authority to claim.

Discretionary housing payments

People receiving universal credit housing costs or housing benefit but not enough to cover their rent in full can ask for a discretionary housing payment. Guidance says families with school-age children may be a priority.

Contact your local authority to apply.

Council tax reduction

People liable for council tax,  can get council tax reduction. It depends on income, but can be paid whether in or out of work.

Contact your local authority to apply.

Kinship care allowance

People looking after the child of an extended family member or friend may get a kinship care allowance from their local authority. Kinship care allowance can depend on the care arrangements, which can also affect entitlement to child benefit and universal credit.

Contact your local authority for details and see also kinship care and benefits - the essentials.

Help with Prison Visits

Help with travel costs for people who get universal credit or other benefits and are visiting a partner, child or close relative in prison.

See also financial help for families affected by imprisonment.

You can get an application form from the prison, download it from gov.uk, email [email protected], or phone 0300 063 2100.

Young Patients Family Fund

This funds gives help with costs of travel, food or accommodation to the parent, primary carer or sibling under 18 of a baby, child or young person under 18 in hospital, regardless of income or benefits. Find more information and a claim form on mygov.scot. Forms should be returned to hospital or the health board.

 

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