MILLIONS of parents are in line for one-off payments in 2023 to help them with the cost of living.
A number of benefits are rising from April including Child Tax Credits and Maternity Allowance.
But mums and dads are set to receive a number of one-off payments as well this year including cost of living payments and help through the warm home discount scheme.
It will come as good news with households struggling during the cost of living crisis.
Energy bills for the average household stand at £2,500 a year, and these are set to rise from April to £3,000 a year.
Meanwhile, inflation hit 10.7% in December piling further pressure on people's finances.
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It's worth noting that some of the one-off payments won't apply across the UK, as some are only for parents in Scotland.
January
The Scottish Child payment is for parents or carers in Scotland on a low income with a child under 16.
Eligibility changed in November last year to include children up to the age of 16.
New claims were due to be paid by Christmas, but if you added a child to an existing claim you should get the payment this month.
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The payment is made automatically.
Scottish parents can get a £260 bridging payment in January if they receive free school meals.
Payments are usually made four times a year in line with the school holidays.
Three payments of £130 were made in Easter, summer and October 2022.
Plus, a £260 payment was made in December.
But for those who registered a child for free school meals after November 30, they should get the money this year.
Local councils make the payments automatically.
March
The £150 Warm Home Discount scheme closes on March 31.
You don't apply for the scheme as it's an automatic discount, unless you live in Scotland.
You need to be receiving one or more of a number of benefits to qualify, including Child Tax Credit.
You can claim Child Tax Credit if you are responsible for a child and they live with you the whole time.
If you are eligible later this year, payments will be made between October 2023 and March 2024.
April
The £650 cost of living payment has already been made to millions of households.
And you would have received it if you get Child Tax Credit.
A further £900 cost of living payment is set to be made to households across this year and 2024.
The payment will be split into three with the first being made in Spring 2023, the second in Autumn and the third in Spring 2024.
Although it's not been made clear who is set to receive the £900 payment, if it was to follow the same criteria as the £650 one, those on Child Tax Credits will receive it.
Again, the payments will be automatic.
June
Parents in Scotland who receive the Carer's Allowance Supplement will get a one-off bonus in June worth £245.70.
A further £245.70 payment will be made in December too.
You'll be in line for the payments if you are receiving Carer's Allowance on April 10, 2023.
The payment is automatic and you don't have to apply.
Parents will be in line for the £150 disability cost of living payment too.
You receive the payment in Scotland if you get a Child Disability Payment.
If you are in England and Wales and receive the Disability Living Allowance for children you'll be in line for the £150 payment too.
Again, the payment is automatic.
November
Child Winter Heating Assistance is an annual payment of £214.10 to help disabled children and young people and their families with increasing heating costs over the winter.
The 2023 payment will be made in November – but you don't have to qualify as it's automatic.
There's a number of criteria you must meet to qualify for the payment though.
For more information, you can check out the Scottish Government's website.
December
The £10 Christmas bonus is a one-off tax-free payment paid to certain people on benefits.
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You qualify if you receive Child Disability payment which means some parents are eligible for the £10 payment.
You don't need to do anything to claim though as it's an automatic payment.
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