Universal Credit and Scottish Child Payment

momo12

Hi all,

I know that I can receive 6 months of nil awards on UC before the claim is closed but I'm wondering if it would only take one nil award of UC to close my SCP claim? Or would I be able to have a few months (less than 6) of zero payments from UC but because my claim is still open; I'd still receive my SCP payments?
Many thanks .

poppy12345

UC being reduced to zero means there's no award and this is one of the change circumstances that needs to be reported. https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/after-you-apply 

If your circumstances change

You must let Social Security Scotland know if your circumstances change. This could be if:

• you move house outside of Scotland
• you're no longer looking after a child
• you either have a new partner living with you, or a partner has stopped living with you
• you stop getting a benefit

Spoonie_Turtle

There appears to be an exception: if your award is nilled by a sanction or deduction.

"You might get benefits or payments, but have a sanction or deduction on your claim. This is when you get a cut in your benefits because you did not meet certain conditions or pay money you owe. If so, you can still apply, as this will not affect our decision on your application.

A sanction or deduction on you or your partner's benefits might happen during the time you're getting Scottish Child Payment. If this happens, you must let us know, as you might still meet the conditions of Scottish Child Payment.

You need to send us some information with your application that shows us details of the sanction or deduction. This can be a copy of any of these:

• a Universal Credit statement"

(From the Who Should Apply section of the link poppy gave.)


UC not automatically closing a claim for 6 months is just an administrative thing they've put in place in the UC system in case people earn less again or otherwise requalify for an award within 6 months.  Your account still being open doesn't have any bearing on eligibility other benefits.

momo12

Thanks guys.