Hello
We've been contacted by Social Security Scotland, who want to let Scottish MNers know about the new Pregnancy and Baby Payment. They say:
"The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a cash payment for the parents, or carers, of a baby. You can apply from when you reach 24 weeks in your pregnancy up to when your baby is six months old. It replaces the Sure Start Maternity Grant, and for the first child the payment will be £600; for subsequent children it will be £300 - with no cap on the number of children it supports."
"To be eligible, if you're over 18 you'll need to be in receipt of certain benefits, including universal credit, income support and child tax credit. For more details about eligibility and how the scheme works for carers, adoptive parents and parents of multiples, please see this page."
"Applications for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment will open on December 10. From then, you'll be able to apply online or by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. You'll also be able to download a paper form online, or request one by calling 0800 182 2222."
"The payment is to help cover some of the costs of having children. This could be things like needing a pram, heating your home or buying clothes for your baby, but because it's a cash payment, you can choose how you need to spend the money."
"Social Security Scotland is the new service that has been created by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. These benefits will transfer from the UK Government to the Scottish Government in stages over the next four years."
Social Security Scotland would also like to hear from MNers who will be eligible for this payment to help them publicise the scheme. If you'd be willing to consider acting as a case study for them - anonymously via written comments, or in person on the radio or on television - let us know, either on this thread or by PM, and we will put you in touch.
And, as ever, let us know what you think.
Thanks
MNHQ