Scottish Child Payment
From 14 November 2022, the payment for Scottish Child Payment was increased to £25 per week for eligible children under the age of 6 years, and will be extended to all children under the age of 16 whose families meet the eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Newly eligible families can make an online application at mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 if you can’t apply online.
Families already in receipt of Scottish Child Payments for children under 6 years and who have older children aged 6-15 will be able to add those children to their existing award without the need of a new application.
There is no limit to the number of children you can apply for and receiving Scottish Child Payment will not affect your tax or other benefits.
You should apply for Scottish Child Payment if you:
- receive one of the low income qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits or Pension Credit
- have responsibility for a child or children under the age of 16
- live in Scotland
Council tax
If you are liable to pay Council Tax and your income and savings are below a certain level you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction which can reduce the amount of Council Tax you need to pay.
If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax please email collections@east-ayrshire.gov.uk and one of our team will contact you.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction
Please complete the online application form and provide evidence of your current household income.
In certain circumstances we may be able to backdate your Council Tax Reduction claim for up to a period of six months. You must provide 'good cause' as to why your Council Tax Reduction application form was not made at an earlier date and you may be required to provide evidence to support this.
As you will appreciate, our phone lines are very busy with people who need immediate help with food, medicines and care at home among many other emergencies, so please email us at Council.Tax@east-ayrshire.gov.uk giving details of what your issue is and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Other benefits
Please visit our benefits page to find out about other types of benefits such as education, council tax, housing and disability benefits.
Scottish welfare fund
We have changed the way we process Scottish Welfare Fund applications and strongly advise those customers applying for a Scottish Welfare Fund grant to use the Scottish Welfare Fund's online application form rather than making a telephone application. Completing the form online will mean that we can process your application faster.
Given the pressure on the service we ask that you do not phone the Scottish Welfare Fund telephone number.
Universal credit
If you are unsure if you should claim or are having difficulties with Universal Credit please contact the East Ayrshire Universal Credit Support Team.
Money advice
Visit money advice for free impartial advice and information relating to:
- welfare rights
- other benefits
- affordable money products
- energy advice services
- debts and more
Useful links
Visit the websites below for more help and advice on benefits and grants:
Further support
If you need further support please use our online form and we will get in touch with you.
Request support online form