Natalie Don MSP has welcomed the latest Scottish Government figures showing that 3,410 families in Renfrewshire have been benefiting from the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction in February 2021.
Local qualifying low-income parents and carers are bring provided with a Scottish Child Payment of £40 every four weeks for each child under six by the Scottish Government’s Social Security Scotland agency.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West says the success of the benefit, which has been hailed as a ‘game-changer’ by anti-poverty campaigners, shows the stark contrast between Scotland’s social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect and the often inhumane approaches by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in implementing welfare cuts such as the scrapping of the Universal Credit £20 uplift to society’s most vulnerable people.
Natalie Don MSP is welcoming the Scottish Child Payment support for low income families in Renfrewshire.
Natalie Don MSP said: “Scottish Government figures show the Scottish Child Payment is making a huge difference in helping lift local children out of poverty, with £570,320 having been provided to 3,410 low-income families across Renfrewshire up to 30 June 2021.
“Along with the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods benefits, which have also been introduced by the SNP Government, eligible low-income families can receive up to £5,200 of essential support by the time their child turns six.
“With cuts to the Universal Credit £20 uplift being imposed by the out-of-touch Tory Government in Westminster, I strongly encourage eligible parents in Renfrewshire to apply for the Scottish Child Payment to obtain support which can help ease the pressure on their hard-pressed family budgets.”
Parents who receive qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) can apply for the Scottish Child Payment by going to www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/how-to-apply.
The Scottish Government is planning for the payment to be fully rolled out to children under the age of 16 by the end of 2022, subject to data being provided by the UK Government’s DWP to enable Social Security Scotland to make top-up payments.