THE Scottish government is urging families to apply for a £330 one-off grant to help with the costs of their child starting primary school.

The Best Start Grant of £331.95 is normally available to families with children aged between four and five who are ready to start school, and are in receipt of universal credit, housing benefit, income support, pension credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) or income-related employment and support allowance (ESA).

Eligible families already claiming the Scottish child payment will receive it automatically and need not apply.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Starting school is a landmark moment in a child’s life, but sadly it can also put real financial pressure on families.

“That’s why we introduced the Best Start Grant school-age payment – to help ensure that every child in Scotland can begin their school journey with what they need, regardless of their family’s circumstances.

“This support is a vital part of our wider commitment to eradicating child poverty, making sure help reaches families at key moments in a child’s life.”