More than £300 support for primary school children

People in Renfrewshire urged to apply for School Age Payment before February deadline

Parents and carers in Renfrewshire have until midnight on 28 February 2026 to apply for over £300 of support for children when they are old enough to start primary school.

School Age Payment is worth £319.80 for each child to help with the cost of preparing for school.

The payment helps carers and families facing additional costs at a key stage in a child’s development. The money can be spent on anything a child needs for school, including clothes, school trips and stationery.

Part of the Best Start Grant package, which is unique to Scotland, School Age Payment is available for children born between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021. Parents and carers can receive the payment for multiple children born during this time and there is no requirement to take up a place at school.

Since the launch of Best Start Grant in 2018, Social Security Scotland has delivered over 4,000 School Age Payment claims in Renfrewshire.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:

“Families and carers in Renfrewshire should not miss out on support they are entitled to – especially at such an important milestone in a child’s life. School Age Payment helps ease the financial pressures of starting school while playing an important role in our mission to tackle child poverty. I strongly encourage parents and carers to check if they are eligible and apply before the February deadline to make sure their child gets the best start possible.”

To apply for School Age Payment, visit: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/how-to-apply