PARENTS are being urged to check if they are eligible to apply for School Age Payments as the deadline fast approaches.

Those eligible who have a child born between March 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018 and receive tax credits or qualifying benefits are being asked to apply.

Applications must be submitted by midnight of February 28 in order to be in recipient of the one-off payment of £267.65 per child.

Early payments are in operation which pays out automatically to parents and guardians who get the Scottish Child Payment once their child reaches eligibility.

Ben Macpherson, social security minister said: “If you have a child in the family aged five, or who turns five this month, then you could be eligible for School Age Payment.

“We are making it easier than ever to apply but we still ask people to check and make sure they know what they are entitled to.

“Making these payments automatic, where we have the information to do so, will enable us to get this money to families at key stages in their child’s development.”