Last updated: August 2026
Raising a family can be expensive. From food and childcare to school uniforms, travel and household bills, the costs can quickly add up.
However, families in Scotland may be entitled to financial support that can make a real difference.
From Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant to free school meals, school clothing grants and childcare support, there are several schemes designed to help parents and carers.
The difficult part can be knowing what’s available.
Our Financial Support for Families in Scotland guide brings together some of the main benefits, grants and support worth checking in 2026.
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment helps eligible families with the costs of raising children.
For 2026–27, the payment is £28.20 per child, per week. It is available for eligible children under the age of 16 and is normally paid every four weeks.
You or your partner generally need to receive a qualifying benefit to be eligible.
The Scottish Government has also announced plans to introduce a higher payment for eligible children under one during 2027–28. This will bring the total Scottish Child Payment for these children to £40 per week.
Find out more: Visit mygov.scot and search for Scottish Child Payment.
Best Start Grant
The Best Start Grant provides financial support at three important stages of a child’s early life.
Pregnancy and Baby Payment
This payment helps eligible families with the costs associated with pregnancy or having a new baby.
Families should check the latest payment amount and eligibility when applying, as the amount can depend on individual circumstances. Check here
Early Learning Payment
The Early Learning Payment is currently £331.95 per child.
It is available for eligible children between the ages of two and three years and six months.
Your child does not need to attend nursery to qualify.
School Age Payment
The School Age Payment is also £331.95 per eligible child.
It is designed to help with the costs of preparing for primary school.
Importantly, your child does not actually have to start school to qualify. Applications are based on when your child is first old enough to start school.
Families receiving Scottish Child Payment may also be automatically checked for some Best Start Grant payments.
Best Start Foods
Best Start Foods helps eligible families buy healthy food during pregnancy and during the first three years of a child’s life.
Payments are made every four weeks.
Current payments include:
£22.40 every four weeks during pregnancy
£44.80 every four weeks for each child from birth until their first birthday
£22.40 every four weeks for each child aged one to three
The money can be used towards eligible healthy foods, including milk, fruit and vegetables.
Free School Meals
Free school meal provision in Scotland depends on a child’s school stage and family circumstances.
Currently, all pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 5 attending eligible council-run or Scottish Government-funded schools can receive free school lunches during term time, regardless of family income.
Other pupils may also qualify depending on their household circumstances.
Free school meal provision has also been expanded to eligible pupils in later school stages, including some children receiving Scottish Child Payment.
Parents should check with their local council or school to find out exactly what their child is entitled to.
School Clothing Grants
Families on a low income may be able to get help towards the cost of school clothing and shoes.
This is known as a school clothing grant.
Applications are made through your local council.
Everyone who qualifies for a school clothing grant should currently receive at least:
£120 for each primary school-aged child
£150 for each secondary school-aged child
Some councils may provide more.
Eligibility and application procedures can also vary between councils. Therefore, check your local authority’s website before applying.
You may be able to apply for free school meals at the same time.
Funded Early Learning and Childcare
Families with young children should also check whether they qualify for funded childcare.
In Scotland, children aged three to five can receive up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year.
That’s roughly:
30 hours per week during school term time, or
22 hours per week if spread across the year.
Some two-year-olds are also eligible.
Funded early learning and childcare is free to parents.
Contact your local council for information about places and providers in your area.
Help With Other Childcare Costs
Working parents may be able to get additional help with registered childcare.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is available across the UK, including Scotland.
For every £8 an eligible parent pays into their childcare account, the UK Government adds £2.
Families can receive up to £2,000 per child per year.
For a disabled child, this can increase to £4,000 per year.
The scheme can be used towards approved childcare, including nurseries, childminders, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs.
Universal Credit Childcare
Working families receiving Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs.
From April 2026, the maximum reimbursement per assessment period is:
£1,071.09 for one child
£1,836.16 for two or more children
Eligibility rules apply, so parents should check their individual circumstances before making childcare arrangements.
Free Bus Travel for Children and Young People
Transport is another expense families may be able to reduce.
Scotland’s National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free bus travel for eligible children and young people under 22.
Young people generally need an appropriate National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card to access the scheme.
For families with children travelling to school, college, activities or work, this can provide significant savings throughout the year.
Child Disability Payment
Families caring for a disabled child may also be entitled to Child Disability Payment.
It helps towards the additional costs associated with caring for a disabled child.
Applications can be made for children under 16 with a physical or mental disability.
Importantly, a formal diagnosis isn’t necessarily required. Parents and carers can provide information about how the child’s condition or symptoms affect their everyday life.
The benefit is tax-free and includes care and mobility components.
Child Winter Heating Payment
Some disabled children and young people may also qualify for Child Winter Heating Payment.
This is an annual payment designed to help families with the additional heating costs they may experience during winter.
For winter 2026–27, the payment is £265.50.
Eligibility depends on the disability benefits the child or young person receives during the qualifying period.
Scottish Welfare Fund
Families experiencing serious financial difficulties should also be aware of the Scottish Welfare Fund.
It provides two types of grants.
Crisis Grants
A Crisis Grant can provide emergency help when someone on a low income faces an unexpected crisis, emergency or disaster.
Community Care Grants
Community Care Grants can help eligible people establish or maintain a settled home in the community.
These are grants rather than loans, so they don’t normally have to be repaid.
Applications are made through your local council rather than directly to the Scottish Government.
What Support Could Your Family Receive?
Some of the main schemes worth checking include:
| Support | What it can help with |
|---|---|
| Scottish Child Payment | Everyday costs of raising children |
| Pregnancy and Baby Payment | Pregnancy and new baby costs |
| Early Learning Payment | Costs during a child’s early years |
| School Age Payment | Costs around starting school age |
| Best Start Foods | Healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood |
| Free School Meals | School lunch costs |
| School Clothing Grant | School clothing and footwear |
| Funded Early Learning & Childcare | Nursery and childcare costs |
| Tax-Free Childcare | Registered childcare costs |
| Universal Credit Childcare | Registered childcare costs for eligible working families |
| Free Bus Travel | Bus travel for eligible under-22s |
| Child Disability Payment | Additional costs associated with disability |
| Child Winter Heating Payment | Additional winter heating costs for eligible disabled children |
| Scottish Welfare Fund | Emergency and essential living costs |
Could You Be Missing Out?
One of the most important things parents can do is check their entitlement regularly.
Don’t assume that because you weren’t eligible for financial support before, you won’t qualify now.
Changes to your income, employment, benefits or family circumstances could affect what you’re entitled to receive.
Likewise, payment rates and eligibility rules can change from year to year.
Even if you’re unsure, it’s worth checking.
Keep Up With Financial Support for Scottish Families
Scotland4Kids regularly shares updates that could affect family finances, including changes to:
- Scottish Child Payment
- Free school meals
- School clothing grants
- Childcare support
- Cost of living payments
- School holiday support
- Family benefits
- Back-to-school costs
Bookmark this guide and check back for updates throughout the year.
Important Information
This guide provides general information and isn’t financial advice. Payment amounts, eligibility requirements and application rules can change.
Always check the latest information from Social Security Scotland, mygov.scot, your local council or the relevant UK Government service before applying or making financial decisions.
Information checked: August 2026
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