What is the Best Start Grant
This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales
What is the Best Start Grant
The Best Start Grant is a package of 3 Scottish benefits to help parents and carers on low incomes with the costs of having a child in the family.
The 3 payments are:
the Pregnancy and Baby Payment - a one-off payment of £754.65 for a first child or £377.35 for a second or later child. It can be paid during pregnancy or until the baby is 6 months old in most cases. It could help you pay for maternity clothes, a cot or a pram
the Early Learning Payment - a one-off payment of £314.45 if your child is between 2 and 3-and-a-half years old. It could help you pay for day trips, books or toys for home learning
the School Age Payment – a one-off payment of £314.45 if your child is around school starting age. It could help you pay for a new school bag, school trips or after school activities.
The 3 payments are grants, not loans, so you do not have to pay them back. You can decide how you want to spend the money.
How does the Best Start Grant affect other benefits
If you get a Best Start Grant payment, it will not affect any other benefits or tax credits that you get.
What is Best Start Foods
If you or your partner are pregnant or have a child under 3, you might be able to get Best Start Foods. This is a benefit to help you buy healthy food for yourself and your children.
You usually need to be getting certain benefits to be eligible. There are different rules if you or your partner are under 18, or aged 18 or 19.
You can apply to Social Security Scotland for Best Start Foods at the same time as you apply for the Best Start Grant.
Find out more about Best Start Foods.