Make sure you are getting the financial help you are entitled to:
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment — £331.95 for children aged 2 to 3½
Best Start Grant School Age Payment — £331.95 for children first old enough to start primary school
Scottish Child Payment — £112.80 every four weeks for every eligible child under 16
Families receiving Scottish Child Payment and are eligible for Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment or School Age Payment will be paid automatically, there is no need to apply.
GORDON MACDONALD HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES
As children across Edinburgh head back to school, local SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has highlighted the wide range of support available to help families with the cost of learning, including almost 7720 Best Start Grant – School Age Payments worth a total of ££2,132,033 paid out to local families in the last year.
The Best Start Grant – School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes, and bags. This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year.
The SNP Government has also expanded free school meals to all pupils in primary 1-5, with plans to extend this to all primary pupils in the lifetime of this parliament. Free school meals save families hundreds of pounds each year while ensuring every child has access to a healthy, nutritious lunch.
To help with the cost of uniforms, the SNP has increased the national minimum School Clothing Grant to at least £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils, available through local councils to eligible families.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “The start of the school year is an exciting time for children, but it can also be a financially challenging time for families. That’s why I’m proud that in the last year alone, 7720 payments worth ££2,132,033 have gone to families in Edinburgh through the Best Start Grant – School Age Payment.
“From the Best Start Grant and School Clothing Grants, to free school meals and the Scottish Child Payment, the SNP is taking real, practical action to support families and tackle child poverty.
“While Labour austerity continues to squeeze household incomes, the SNP is using the powers we have to put money in the pockets of families across the city ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.”
Local authority area
[NUMBER]Number of Best Start Grant – School Age Payments
[VALUE]Value of Best Start Grant – School Age Payments
A single donation can change a school year for a child whose family is struggling to make ends meet.
By donating £15 you’ll help us buy a new school bag and pencil case for a child who otherwise will start school without these basic items. Help us give children the tools and confidence they need to thrive this school year.
How You Can Help:
Donate uniform items via our online wish list, Give Today. 
Donate funds and we will do the shopping for you. 
Spread the word – every share helps!