Single Parent FAQs: Bridging payments and Help for Christmas

The SCP is the Scottish Child Payment which is a payment that started on 15th of February this year for children under 6, it is a payment of £10 per week for children under 6 will be extended to children under 16 by the end of 2022 to qualify for this benefit you would need to be receiving one of these benefits below;

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing benefit
• Child tax credit
• Working tax credit

The Scottish Government have made funds available for families with children over 5 years old, who get free school meals because of household income they can get the SCP bridging payment. This includes families with children 16 and over.

If your child is receiving free school meals, then you do not need to do anything, you will get the money paid into your bank account. The SCP Bridging Payment is £160.

Unfortunately, you would not be able to apply for these payments, these payments are just for children in primary and secondary schools on free school meals.

If you are unemployed and on a low income you can apply to your local council for free school meals and then you would qualify for the next SCP bridging payment in December.

Local councils will be making payments of £160 in December as well as the money for lunches for each child receiving free school meals, no dates have been set yet keep looking on your local council’s website and social media and the information will be posted there with dates.

SCP bridging payments are only paid to children who get free school meals due to low-income households.

You can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund through your local council for a new cooker and then you will not need to use your savings. More information and how to apply can be found on the Scottish Welfare Fund website.

If you have a support worker or teacher that you can speak to, they may be able to advise you on what is available in your area, most charity’s that are helping with Christmas are asking for someone to refer you so that could be your support worker, child’s teacher or anyone that supports you and knows your family circumstances.  

If you meet the criteria you can apply for a Warm Home Discount from your energy supplier which is £140 credited to your account by the 31st of March 2022.

More information can be found in warm home discount scheme blog  for more information and advice about fuel costs you can contact Home Energy Scotland

Local churches, food banks, toy banks etc. may help, it useful to look in your local area and see what help is available locally, if you are unable to find anything you talk to us and see if we know of anything available in your area.