Over 321,000 children getting vital support
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics.
Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household.
Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026–27. This underlines the critical role that Scottish Child Payment plays in eradicating child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:
“Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for this government. It’s clear that the Scottish Child Payment is making a major difference to families which is why we will now go further by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for families with children under the age of one.
“We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life. Scottish Child Payment remains central to that mission.”
An increase to Scottish Child Payment for children under one will be introduced during 2027-28, estimated to benefit around 12,000 children and could be worth an extra £500 for each eligible child.
Resources to help spread the word around the social security support available for families can be found at Resources - Social Security Scotland This includes factsheets, social media graphics and information in alternative formats and languages.
For more information on Scottish Child Payment visit Scottish Child Payment - mygov.scot