A BORDERS MSP has urged people to “not miss out on any money they are entitled to” as a government scheme nears its roll-out.

The Scottish Child Payment – a weekly payment of £10 that you can get for every child you look after who's under six years of age – will begin on February 15, with families receiving their first payment after February 22.

Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, is encouraging anyone who is entitled to apply for the ‘game-changing’ scheme to do so.

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“It is extremely encouraging to see so many families sign up early to receive their Scottish Child Payment when it is rolled out in February by the SNP Scottish Government,” said Ms Grahame (SNP).

“When the payment is introduced it will provide a real difference to families across Scotland at a much-needed time.

“This is just the start of the work Social Security Scotland is introducing to make a difference to the lives of people in the Borders, with the Scottish Child Payment described as ‘game-changing’ by anti-poverty charities.

“I would urge anyone who has not yet applied to the scheme to make sure they do so they do not miss out on any money they are entitled to.”

Successful applicants will receive the money every four weeks.

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Only one person is able to apply per child, meaning that if a ‘double claim’ – where two parents apply for the same child – occurs, then Social Security Scotland will decide who receives the payment.

Applicants, or their partners, must be the main person looking after a child under the age of six.

An applicant must also live in Scotland and be in receipt of, or have applied for, other government benefits.

According to the Scottish Government, those benefits are: Universal Credit; Child Tax Credit; Income Support Pension Credit; Working Tax Credit; income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA); and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

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A government spokesperson said: “It's up to you what you choose to spend the money on.

"You could use Scottish Child Payment for things like: travel costs; nappies and other essentials; childcare; or family days out.

“Scottish Child Payment does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits that you, or any person in your household, currently get.”

Find out how to apply here.