Forces Children Scotland lends its support to call on the Scottish Government to double Scottish Child Payment bridging payments

Forces Children Scotland Chief Executive Officer, Laura Falconer, has today (15 August 2022) signed a letter written on behalf of the End Child Poverty Coalition in support of a call which has asked the Scottish Government to double its Scottish Child Payment bridging payment provision this winter.

Should the call to action prove successful, eligible families will benefit from an enhanced payment which means October and December instalments will increase from £130 to £260, to provide much welcomed help to households in greatest need of support to overcome the cost-of-living crisis.

Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payments are available to families who have children over the age of six attending either primary or secondary school and currently receiving free school meals because they are living on a low income or currently receiving qualifying benefits.

Payments are managed by local councils and families who currently receive free school meals will receive payments automatically. This enhanced provision will provide a little extra help to bridge the gap in overcoming further massive increases to household bills this winter.

Having signed the letter, Forces Children Scotland has issued a further call to serving, reservist and veteran families across Scotland to contact their local council office to find out if they are entitled to receive the bridging payments prior to this potential increase.

Carly Elliott, Forces Children Scotland’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Policy Lead said:

“Forces Children Scotland is delighted to lend its support towards this call to the Scottish Government to double its Scottish Child Payment bridging payment provision this winter. We wish to also encourage serving, reservist and veteran families to contact their local council office if they feel they may be eligible.

“Applications received to our family support services indicate the extent to which some armed forces and veteran families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and lending our support towards this call to increase the bridging payment is the least we can do to help families at this incredibly challenging time.

“Forces Children Scotland’s Family Support Service can help to cover many day-to-day living costs, provide support to young carers to manage caring responsibilities. We also go the extra mile to assist students to realise their potential and thrive at university or college. We encourage families to visit our website to find out more about how we can help further.”

Are you from a serving, reservist or veteran family and would like to know more about our family support services or the Scottish Child Payment Bridging Payment?