Gordon Macdonald MSP is urging eligible families in Edinburgh to apply for this year’s Best Start Grant School Age Payment, as applications opened Monday 1 June.
The payment, which is only available in Scotland, is open to families who get tax credits or certain other benefits and have a child who was born between 1st March 2016 and 28th February 2017.
It is part of five family payments delivered by Social Security Scotland that also include: Best Start Foods, Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and Scottish Child Payment.
Best Start Foods payments are set to increase to £4.50 per week on 1st August to support low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said:
The SNP Scottish Government is working to ensure that every child in Edinburgh has the best start in life and these payments – which have been described as ‘game-changing’ – form part of that effort to build a fairer, more equal Scotland.
As part of that work the Scottish Government is set to increase Best Start Foods payments within its first 100 days in government – the SNP is also committed to doubling the Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week as soon as practicable.
The Best Start payments have been vital in ensuring children in Edinburgh and across Scotland have the best start in life, with around £5,000 of support being provided by the time a child turns six.
I would urge all families who are eligible to apply to do so as soon as possible
