“I would encourage everyone who is eligible, and not already in receipt of Bridging Payments, to register for free school meals through their local authority as soon as possible to ensure they qualify for the December payment,” said Natalie Don MSP.

Families are being urged to make sure they don’t miss out on a double December Bridging Payment of £260. The payment will be made ahead of the Christmas holidays to the families of children registered to receive free school meals on the basis of low income.

Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the roll out of the Scottish Child Payment to under-16s. Bridging payments are paid quarterly by councils on behalf of the Scottish Government. Families received up to £520 per eligible child in 2021 and will receive up to £650 in 2022. Bridging Payments currently support around 145,000 school age children. Total Scottish Government funding for the Bridging Payments will increase to an estimated £169 million across 2021 and 2022.

Scotland is the only nation in the UK offering the Scottish Child Payment, one of five family benefits delivered by the Scottish Government to support low income parents with the costs of raising a child. The Scottish Child Payment is currently available to families of eligible children under 6 years old and will open to applications for under-16s from 14 November.

Natalie Don MSP added:

“I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on the Bridging Payment, especially as the Scottish Government has doubled the value of December’s payment.

“Applications for the Scottish Child Payment will also open to all eligible under-16s from 14 November, when it will be increased to £25 per eligible child per week – a rise of 150% in less than eight months.

“The Tory-created cost of living crisis is having a severe impact on many families, particularly for those on the lowest incomes. With pressures on family budgets increasing it is more important than ever to receive all the help available.

“With limited powers and a finite budget, the Scottish Government can only do so much to mitigate the cost of living crisis, but it will continue to do as much as possible for the people who need it most.”

All children registered for free school meals on the basis of low family income qualify for Bridging Payments.
The December Bridging Payments will be made before the start of the Christmas holidays for children who receive Free School Meals on the basis of low income on 30 November. Payments for children who are subsequently registered and become eligible for Free School Meals ahead of the Christmas holidays will be made as soon as possible in the new year.
The Scottish Government is working with councils to ensure families who currently receive Bridging Payments are aware of the enhanced support that will become available through the Scottish Child Payment from 14 November onward.
Information on support for households is available at gov.scot/costoflivingsupport