How to apply
Scottish Child Payment conditions have changed. In some cases, you can get a payment for every child you look after who's under 16.
Apply online
You can apply online here if you want to:
- make a new application for Scottish Child Payment
- add a child or children to your existing Scottish Child Payment claim
To add a child or children you’ll need:
- your name, date of birth, address and National Insurance number
- the names and dates of birth of the children you want to add
To make a new application, you'll need the above information and:
- your partner's details, if you have a partner, including their National Insurance number
- your bank details, if you have an account
Most people take around 10 to 20 minutes to complete the form, but it's okay if it takes you longer. You will not be able to save the form and come back to it later, because it has to be completed all at once.
If you do not have a bank account, are managing someone else's affairs, or do not have a permanent address you can:
- apply by post
- call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222
Applications made between 14 November 2022 and 23 January 2023
If you made an application between these dates and you were not getting Scottish Child Payment when you completed the form, Social Security Scotland will accept any form completed when you select 'Apply now' below as a new application.
Applications made on or after 24 January 2023
When you select ‘Apply now’ below, make sure you answer the first question carefully. This question tells Social Security Scotland which form you need to complete.
If you tell them that you are not currently getting Scottish Child Payment, or you used to get Scottish Child Payment but stopped getting it, you will get a new application form.
If you tell them that you are currently getting Scottish Child Payment, you will get a change of circumstances form to add other children to your claim.
Social Security Scotland can only accept new applications on the application form. They cannot accept a change of circumstances form as a new application for Scottish Child Payment.
Due to postal strikes there may be delays in getting a decision letter from us. Read more about upcoming strikes at royalmail.com.
Apply by phone
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to make your application over the phone. The opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
If you're a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.
Apply by post
You can apply by filling in a paper form.
If you'd like a pre-paid envelope to send documents to Social Security Scotland, call them free on 0800 182 2222 and they'll send you one.
If you need any help
If you're not able to fill in an online or paper form, you can get help to complete it by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. The opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
If you need a large print paper form
You can get a large print paper form by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
If you do not want to apply in English
Call 0800 182 2222 free to apply over the phone in any of over 100 languages
Languages you can request include Urdu, Polish, Scottish Gaelic and many of the other languages used in Scotland. You cannot apply online in any language other than English.
Further help and advice
You can get face-to-face advice about Scottish Child Payment from Citizens Advice Scotland.
You can also go to GOV.UK if you need help to apply for any other UK benefits or payments, such as:
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit
- any type of tax credits
You and your data
If you want to know more about how Social Security Scotland use your data, read the privacy notice.
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