Parents urged to review financial support for school

Parents and carers, as the summer holidays draw to a close and preparations for the new school term begin, are being urged to check their eligibility for financial assistance. The upcoming expenses, such as new shoes, stationery, and lunch boxes, can quickly accumulate, putting added pressure on families.

Social Security Scotland administers five family payments that can help cover the costs of back-to-school essentials in addition to everyday expenses like food, clothing, and outings. Among these payments is the Scottish Child Payment, a weekly allowance of £26.70 for qualifying families with children up to the age of 16. This unique payment in Scotland is currently supporting over 329,000 children and young people.

Furthermore, the three Best Start Grant payments and Best Start Foods, which are part of the social security support system, aim to assist families during crucial stages in their children’s early years, including pregnancy. There is no limit to the number of children within a family that can receive these benefits.

Since the inception of these family payments, over £829 million has been distributed to families across Scotland up to March 2024. Addressing the issue at Home-Start Dundee, a charity that aids families with young children, the cabinet secretary for social justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, emphasised the government’s dedication to eradicating child poverty.

Somerville stated, “Our primary goal is to alleviate the financial burden on families by providing essential funds at critical stages in a child’s life. Whether it’s assisting families in purchasing nutritious foods during pregnancy and childhood, supplying pushchairs for convenience, or buying new school shoes and clothing, our payments are there when families need them the most.”

She continued, “Even if you are employed, you may still be eligible for these payments, and I encourage everyone to verify their eligibility and claim the financial support they are entitled to.”

Estelle Coulthard, a family support coordinator at Home-Start Dundee, highlighted the charity’s pivotal role in aiding families facing everyday challenges in Dundee. The organization provides assistance to enhance parents’ coping mechanisms, boost their confidence, and create better opportunities for their children.

Coulthard remarked, “We tailor our support to meet the unique needs of each family, including raising awareness about available financial aid and assisting with the application process. Many parents have struggled to afford essentials such as formula and nutritious foods for their children, but the support provided through the family payments has relieved them of this concern.”

She added, “The first five years from birth to school entry are crucial for a child’s development, and the family payments have a significant impact on the early stages of a child’s life. They empower parents to purchase the essentials they require. Without this financial assistance, families would struggle to cope with the rising cost of living in Scotland.”

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