Scottish Child Payment Calculator
Estimate your payment at £28.20 per child per week (April 2026 rate)
Last updated: June 2026
Scottish Child Payment Calculator (2026/27)
Estimate how much Scottish Child Payment you could get at the £28.20 per child, per week rate that applies from April 2026.
What is the Scottish Child Payment?
The Scottish Child Payment is a weekly benefit from Social Security Scotland that helps families on a low income with the cost of raising children. From April 2026 it is worth £28.20 for every child under 16 in your care, paid every four weeks. Unlike the rest-of-UK benefits system, there is no two-child limit – you receive the full amount for each eligible child, however many you have.
This calculator is for parents and carers living in Scotland who want a quick, accurate estimate of how much they could receive each week, every four weeks and across a full year. It is especially useful if you are budgeting, checking you are claiming everything you are entitled to, or comparing your household income before and after a new child is born. Scottish Child Payment is paid on top of reserved benefits such as Child Benefit and Universal Credit – it does not reduce them. Enter the number of eligible children and confirm you receive a qualifying benefit to see your figures instantly.
How it works
The calculation is simple and uses the official April 2026 rate:
- Weekly amount = number of eligible children × £28.20
- Four-weekly payment = weekly amount × 4 (this is how Social Security Scotland actually pays it)
- Annual amount = weekly amount × 52
To qualify you must live in Scotland, be the main carer of a child under 16, and you (or your partner) must receive a qualifying benefit: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Child Benefit on its own does not make you eligible.
Worked example
Suppose you live in Glasgow, receive Universal Credit, and have 3 children under 16:
- Weekly: 3 × £28.20 = £84.60 per week
- Every 4 weeks: £84.60 × 4 = £338.40
- Per year: £84.60 × 52 = £4,399.20
That is £1,466.40 per child per year, paid in addition to your Child Benefit and Universal Credit, with no reduction for having a third child.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Scottish Child Payment in 2026?
From April 2026 the Scottish Child Payment is £28.20 per child per week (up from £27.15). It is paid every four weeks, so you receive £112.80 per child each payment, or £1,466.40 per child per year.
Is there a two-child limit on Scottish Child Payment?
No. Unlike the Universal Credit two-child limit, Scottish Child Payment is paid for every eligible child under 16 in your care, with no cap on the number of children.
Does Scottish Child Payment affect my other benefits?
No. Scottish Child Payment is paid on top of reserved benefits and does not reduce your Child Benefit, Universal Credit, or any other UK benefit. It is also disregarded as income for those benefits.
Who can apply for Scottish Child Payment?
You must live in Scotland, be the main carer of a child under 16, and you or your partner must receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA. You apply through Social Security Scotland.
Source: mygov.scot – Scottish Child Payment (Social Security Scotland). Rates verified for the April 2026 uprating to £28.20 per child per week.