Support coping with rising living costs

Families

In this section you will find:

Benefits to support families during pregnancy and early years 

Baby Box - every baby born in Scotland can receive a free Baby Box which is packed full of items such as clothes, bedding and other essentials to help a baby from birth to 6 months.  

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment – apply after 24 weeks of pregnancy for a one-off payment to help prepare for your baby’s arrival, or after your baby is born. Available for families on certain benefits.  

Child Benefit - a regular payment if you are responsible for raising a child who is under 16 or under 20 (if they stay in approved education or training).

Best Start Foods - a pre-paid card from pregnancy up to when a child turns three for families on certain benefits to help buy healthy food. 

Scottish Child Payment – a regular payment to help towards the costs of looking after each child under 16 for families who receive certain benefits.  

Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment – a one-off payment when a child is between two and three years and six months for families who get certain benefits. 

Benefits to support families with children at school and young adults 

Best Start Grant School Age Payment – a one-off payment when a child would normally start primary one for families who get certain benefits. 

Free School Meals and Clothing Grants - help with the cost of school meals and uniforms for eligible families. 

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - weekly payment for young people aged 16–19 who stay in education.   

Free Bus Travel for Young People - free nationwide bus travel for young people aged 5–21 with a valid National Entitlement Card or a Young Scot Card.   

Benefits for families with children with disabilities or young carers 

Child Winter Heating Payment - support for families with a child receiving the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children.   

Child Disability Payment - provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have. Replaces Disability Living Allowance in Scotland.   

Young Carer Grant - an annual payment for carers aged 16–18 who are not receiving Carer’s Allowance. 

Support with childcare costs 

Help with paying for childcare - Learn more about the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme, the support available for those receiving Universal Credit or Tax Credits, and support for students. 

Good Time To Be 2 - this scheme offers up to 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare per year, from a month and a day after the child's 2nd birthday, for qualifying families. 

Find out more about childminders, nurseries, playgroups, and breakfast or after school clubs in Midlothian: 

Family Learning Centres 

Hawthorn Family Learning Centre 

The service provides support to children, parents and carers in Midlothian via early years placements and family learning. The centre runs a range of free weekly events including a One Stop Shop, plus PEEP / PEEP Pathways and Messy Play for children:  

Midlothian Sure Start  

Midlothian Sure Start has 6 family learning centres across the area and offer a range of services in the local community, including: 

  • Staying Connected - Feeling isolated and have a young child? Attend one of the Midlothian Sure Start Open Kindergarten or family learning groups. More details available on Midlothian Sure Start's Eventbrite page. 
  • Mental Health - Counselling for parents/carers of children aged 0-5 years. See website for more details and to fill in the online query form or contact referrals@midlothiansurestart.org.uk 
  • Employability and financial support - Midlothian Sure Start offer IT courses and fun capacity building courses to help you to take the first steps into back into employability. If you are interested contact us through the online enquiry form, or email referrals@midlothiansurestart.org.uk or view courses available on Midlothian Sure Start's Eventbrite page. These courses are delivered in partnership with CAB Penicuik and CAB Dalkeith. 

Home Link Family Support 

Home Link Family Support - support for families in Midlothian with children aged 5 and under. 

Services include: 

  • Family Opportunity Workers can support families with children under 5 with navigating benefits, accessing food banks, support with housing and managing money as well as signposting to suitable agencies for specific needs. 
  • Family learning opportunities including advice regarding children with Additional Support Needs (ASN), play opportunities in the home, or mental health support for parents or carers. 
  • Midlothian Therapeutic team which can work with children aged 12 and under. 

Families can get in touch with Home Link Family Support directly via their website or by calling 0131 661 0890, or through a Health Visitor or other professionals. 

 

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