Scottish Government Opens Applications for £331.95 Per-Child School Readiness Grant
Eligible Scottish households can apply from Monday, 1 June, for a one-off, non-repayable cash payment of £331.95 per child under the Scottish Government’s Best Start Grant school age payment scheme. The grant targets families with children aged four to five who are approaching primary school entry.
Who Qualifies and How Much Is Available
The payment is administered by Social Security Scotland and is available exclusively to residents of Scotland. Households in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not eligible.
Applicants must generally be in receipt of at least one of seven qualifying means-tested benefits, which include:
The grant places no restrictions on how the money is spent. Families may use it for clothing, stationery, school trips, or any other expenses associated with a child starting school.
Eligibility Window and Application Deadline
Applications are open to families with children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. The application window runs from 1 June 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that families do not need to wait until a child has formally started school before applying. Those deferring their child’s start date, or whose child will not be attending school, remain eligible provided they apply before the February 2027 deadline.
Families already receiving the Scottish Child Payment who meet the eligibility criteria should receive the payment automatically and are not required to submit a separate application.
Policy Context
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville described the payment as part of a broader Scottish Government strategy to reduce child poverty. “Starting school is a landmark moment in a child’s life, but sadly it can also put real financial pressure on families,” she said.
The scheme represents a devolved policy distinct from any equivalent provision in the rest of the United Kingdom, reflecting the Scottish Government’s use of its devolved social security powers to direct targeted cash transfers at low-income households at key life stages.
Sara Spencer, project manager at the Cost of the School Day initiative, urged eligible families to apply promptly. “Starting school adds real pressure to already stretched family finances,” she said. “It’s really important that families apply for the financial support they are entitled to.”