Introduction of the Scottish Child Payment delayed due to coronavirus outbreak

Scottish Government says it will aim to start taking applications by the end of 2020, with payments being made from 2021

The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment is to be delayed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Scottish Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has announced.

Updating the Scottish Parliament on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on social security services, Ms Somerville said - 

'Our plans for the Scottish Child Payment have ... needed to be amended, but I am committed to delivering it as soon as practicably possible.

Recruiting, inducting and training the additional people we will need to deliver the Scottish Child Payment, particularly, will be difficult as we work to slow the spread of this virus. So whilst we were firmly on track to open for applications for this game-changing benefit in Autumn, the knock-on effect of the changes to our lives due to COVID-19 means that our aim is to now start taking applications by the end of 2020 with payments being made from 2021. This is of course subject to sufficient staff being in place and when normal operations will resume across government.'

For more information see Thousands of children eligible for new benefit from gov.scot