1. What is Scottish Child Bridging Payment?
The Scottish Child Bridging Payment is a temporary benefit for families in Scotland in 2021 and 2022.
2. Can I get Scottish Child Bridging Payment?
Scottish Child Bridging Payment is paid automatically to families in Scotland who get free school meals.
If your child is in primary 1-4, you might not have applied for free school meals because they get universal free school meals. To get the Scottish Child Bridging payment, you will need to contact your council and apply for free school meals.
You can get free school meals for your child if you get any of the benefits below:
If you aren't sure if you can get any of these benefits, use our free, confidential Benefits Calculator to see what benefits you could be entitled to.
If you have a low income and no recourse to public funds, you may be able to get free school meals and the Scottish Child Bridging Payment. You will need to check with your local council.
You may also be able to get Free School Meals and Scottish Child Bridging Payment while you are waiting for your first payment of Universal Credit. Contact your local council for details.
3. How much Scottish Child Bridging Payment will I get?
Scottish Child Bridging Payment is being paid in instalments:
October 2021 - £160
December 2021 - £160
Easter 2022 - £130
Summer 2022 - £130
October 2022 - £130
December 2022 - £130
The Scottish Child Bridging Payment will not affect your other benefits.
4. How do I apply for a Scottish Child Bridging Payment?
If you are already getting free school meals, you will get Scottish Child Bridging Payments without needing to apply. If your child is in primary 1-4, you might be getting free school meals through universal free school meal provision. If this applies to you, you need to make a separate claim for free school meals under the low income scheme to get Scottish Child Bridging Payments.
If you are not already getting free school meals, you will need to apply for free school meals. Contact your local council to make a claim.