Starting June 1, 2026, households in Scotland can apply for a Best Start Grant school age payment of £331.95 for children aged four to five. This one-time cash payment, issued by Social Security Scotland, is designed to support families as their children begin primary school. It is available to families receiving specific Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit. Applications are open until February 28, 2027, for children born between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. The grant can be used for various expenses, including clothing and school supplies. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville emphasized that the payment aims to alleviate financial pressure on families during this significant transition in a child’s life. Families who already receive Scottish child payments may receive the grant automatically without needing to apply.