The Scottish Child Payment – which is only available in Scotland – supported 184,000 children and young people in 2022.
The first ever payments for this support were made in February 2021 coming at a time when families were facing increasing challenges with the cost of living. Then it was £10 per week but has now increased to £25 per week.
This support for each child from the Scottish Government is for children and young people up to the ages of 16.
Since its introduction, £322,820 worth of payments have been made to children and young people in Orkney
applications received | authorised applications | applications denied | % processed applications authorised | |
2020/21 | 215 | 130 | 90% | |
2021/22 | 100 | 110 | 35 | 74% |
2022/23 | 285 | 175 | 85% | |
Total | 600 | 415 | 75 | 83% |
Commenting on the payment Social Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government Shona Robison said:

“This is just a snapshot of all the work being done since Scottish Child Payment was extended and increased until the end of 2022.
“We’ve since processed tens of thousands more applications.
“This represents remarkable progress in the delivery of the most ambitious child poverty reduction measure in the UK.
“That increased payment of £1,300 per child per year is now benefitting families across Scotland.
“We want to make sure that everyone gets the help available to them. Parents or carers who are on universal credit, tax credits or other benefits and who have children under 16 should check through Social Security Scotland if they are eligible.”
Click on this link to find out about The Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. It’s a weekly payment of £25 that you can get for every child you look after who’s under 16 years of age. You’ll get the payment every 4 weeks if your application is successful.
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