Eligible families can now apply for a one-off grant to help cover the costs of starting primary school. The payment is available to households in Scotland with children reaching school age during the current application period. Families who qualify can receive £331.95 per child, with applications remaining open until February 28, 2027.
Starting primary school often brings additional expenses for households, from clothing and stationery to activities linked to school life. In Scotland, a government-backed payment aimed at easing some of those costs has now reopened for eligible families.
According to reports from Express.co.uk and BirminghamLive, applications for the Best Start Grant school age payment opened on June 1, 2026. The grant is administered by Social Security Scotland and is available only to families living in Scotland.
One-off Payment Available to Eligible Scottish Families
The Best Start Grant school age payment provides a one-off, non-repayable payment of £331.95 for each eligible child. Families can use the money for any expenses they consider necessary, including school clothing, stationery, or school trips.
According to Social Security Scotland, applications are open to families with children born between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. The application window runs from June 1, 2026, until February 28, 2027.
Eligibility is generally linked to receipt of certain benefits. The sources state that applicants will normally need to be receiving one of several qualifying benefits, including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The payment is intended for children who are approaching the age at which they can begin primary school. Social Security Scotland noted that families do not need to wait until their child has actually started school before applying.
The rules also cover children whose school start date is being deferred. Families in that situation, as well as those whose child will not be attending school, can still qualify, provided they submit their application before the closing date.
Government Says Support Targets School-Start Costs
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary, described the transition into primary education as a significant moment for children and families.
According to reports, Somerville said that starting school can create financial pressure for households. She said the school age payment was introduced to help ensure that children begin school with the items they need, regardless of family circumstances.
Somerville also linked the payment to the Scottish Government’s broader efforts to tackle child poverty. She said the support is designed to reach families during important stages of a child’s life.
Some eligible households may not need to submit a separate application. According to Social Security Scotland, families already receiving Scottish Child Payment and meeting the eligibility criteria should receive the school age payment automatically.
The importance of claiming available support was also highlighted by Sara Spencer, project manager for the Cost of the School Day initiative. She said that families often face added financial strain when children start school and encouraged eligible households to apply for assistance they are entitled to receive.
For families across Scotland with children entering this stage of education, the application period is now open, with support available through February 2027 for those who meet the qualifying conditions.
