Free School Meals Opens The Door To Other Benefits

16th September 2021

Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments

The Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments bring together the Covid hardship payments and the Family Pandemic Payment into one payment, made 4 times a year.

These payments are available for each child who gets free school meals because of low income.

Who can get it?
You could get the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals. This is usually because you're on a low income or getting certain benefits. Check the full eligibility criteria for free school meals if you're not sure.

You might also get the payment if you're experiencing financial hardship. For example, if:

you're waiting for your first Universal Credit payment
your immigration status means you cannot get help from the government
You can't get these payments if your child is in early learning and childcare (nursery). The Scottish Child Payment is available for children under the age of 6.

How to get the payment[b]
Your local council will make any payment.

[b]If your child gets free school meals because you're on a low income and get a qualifying benefit you do not need to apply for it.Your local council will make the payment to you automatically.

You have to apply for free school meals to get the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria for them and:

you have never applied before or had help with school meals during the school holidays
your child gets universal free school meals in primary 1 to 3 (extending to primary 4 from August 2021)
Contact your local council to apply for school meals and get the payment.