Help if you are responsible for a child
This guide outlines financial and other help for parents and carers looking after a child. We advise you to get a full benefit check to see exactly what you may be entitled to. Contact us on 0131 200 2360 or advice.shop@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Scottish Child Payment
This is a payment from the Scottish Government for families with children under the age of 16 and on a low income who are in receipt of benefits such as:
- Universal Credit
- Employment Support Allowance (Income based)
- Pension Credit with a child under the age of 6 years old.
To claim call 0800 182 2222 or find out more about on the Scottish Government website.
Child Benefit
This is a universal payment for those with caring responsibilities for children under the age of 16 or 20 if in approved education or training. There is no limit on how many children you can claim for.
Earning more than £50,000 will mean a tax charge applies.
Read more about on the UK Government website.
Best Start Grants
These grants help with the cost of being pregnant and having care of a child. Payment are made by the Scottish Government.
Parents or carers need to be on a low income. Those under 18 years old are automatically entitled to this payment even if they are not on benefits.
These grants provide up to three payments per child from pregnancy to when a child starts school. The ‘Pregnancy & Baby’, ‘Early Learning’ and ‘School Age’ payments could total £1,100 for the first child.
Also a prepaid card is available that enables you to buy specific healthy food items during pregnancy and for children under three years old.
Find out more about on the Scottish Government website.
Universal Credit (UC)
If you are claiming UC then an additional payment may be available if a child is in your household.
The amount will depend on
- your child’s age
- whether they have a disability
- what other income you may have.
If claiming UC and working, there may be an .
Find out on the UK Government website.
Child Disability Payment
This benefit is provided by the Scottish Government. It replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children which is provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you are currently in receipt of DLA for children you do not need to apply for Child Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland will contact you and arrange to transfer you over.
You can find more on the Scottish Government website.
It is also important to consider future entitlement. For example, a baby with Downs Syndrome may not qualify until they start to show a delay in development and extra care needs.
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance (MA)
If you are pregnant on the UK government website. Maternity Allowance may be payable if SMP is not applicable. You can on the UK government website.
MA is deducted in full from any Universal Credit entitlement so check with an adviser to make sure you will be better off by claiming.
Housing costs
Having a child may mean you are entitled to assistance with rent costs. The birth of a child could also mean a household is no longer ‘under-occupying’ (commonly known as Bedroom Tax) if they are renting from a housing association or the Council. You may get extra assistance with housing costs through UC or Housing Benefit.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) could be available for pregnant mothers who come under the Local Housing Allowance scheme and who won’t get the increased bedroom allowance until baby is born. Find out about on the Council website.
A benefit cap
A benefit cap puts a limit on the amount of benefit income a household can receive.
Even if you are entitled to some of the benefits in this guide you may not receive everything.
Always check with an advisor to understand your entitlements. Read more about the on the gov.uk website.
If you are affected by the benefit cap you could be entitled to DHP to offset the cap.
Carer Support Payment and Scottish Carer Supplement
An additional payment paid twice a year to those who are caring for someone and living on a low income. Find out more on the on the Scottish Government website.
Young Carer Grant
An annual payment for young carers aged 16-18 years old who are caring for someone an average 16 hours per week. Find out more about the on the Scottish Government website.
Read the . This leaflet may not be accessible. If you need help email advice.shop@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Child Maintenance
This is a support system for when parents are separated and the parent caring for a child can receive financial support. It can be a complex process to navigate so getting help from an adviser is recommended.
Find out more about on the UK Government website.
Free bus travel
People aged under 22 years old are entitled to free bus travel which can be a significant help for many families and young people.
For criteria and to apply see .