Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

You may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if all of the following apply:

• you live in Scotland
• you or your partner are getting certain benefits or tax credits
• you or your partner are pregnant, or are the main person looking after a baby or child who's the right age for a payment.

If you're under 18, or you're 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else who receives benefits for you, you don’t need to be on any payments or benefits to apply for Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods.

You may be able to get the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Best Start Foods if you look after someone who is under 20 and is pregnant or a young parent.

You can find out more about who can apply and when you need to apply here.

You may be able to get Best Start Foods for your child even if you cannot get certain benefits because of your immigration status. You can find out more about getting Best Start Foods if you have no access to public funds on the mygov.scot website. 

There is no limit on the number of children you can claim Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods for. You can get payments for each child you are responsible for when they are the right age for a payment.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps with the costs of having a baby. You can spend it on anything you need, like a pram or buggy, clothes, toys or anything else. You can get Pregnancy and Baby Payment any time after you’ve reached the end of the 24th week of pregnancy until the day your baby is 6 months  old.

Visit mygov.scot to find out more. 

You can apply for the Early Learning Payment when your child is aged between 2 to 3 years and 6 months. You can choose what to spend the money on – whether that’s new shoes, travel to get around, or toys to help them learn. 

Visit mygov.scot to find out more.

The School Age Payment helps with the costs of preparing for school when your child is first old enough to start primary school. Again, you can spend the money on anything your child needs, from shoes to a school bag.

When you apply relates to the age of the child and not when they start school.

Visit mygov.scot to find out more.

Best Start Foods is used to help buy healthy food and is paid every four weeks on a pre-paid chip and pin card. You can apply as soon as you know you are pregnant.

What can I buy with Best Start Foods?

You can buy any of these foods, which are listed on the back of the card:

• Fresh eggs
• Milk – plain cow’s milk and first infant formula
• Fruit/vegetables – fresh, frozen or tinned 
• Pulses (e.g. peas, lentils and beans) – dried, fresh, frozen or tinned.

How does the card work?

The card works like a regular bank card. You can use it anywhere that accepts card payments and sells the food you can buy with the card. It can also be used online.

You can find out more about Best Start Foods on the mygov.scot website.

No – Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits.

You can apply for any of these grants or payments here, or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. You can also apply by post.

You don't need to apply for Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment or Best Start Grant School Age Payment if you already get Scottish Child Payment for this child. Social Security Scotland will pay you automatically when your child is the right age.

If you don’t receive Scottish Child Payment or have opted out of automatic payments you must apply for Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment.

If you're not eligible for Scottish Child Payment you might still be eligible for Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment. This includes if you are:

• under 18 and do not receive any other benefits; 
• 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else who receives benefits for you; 
• receiving housing benefit. 

Visit mygov.scot to find out more.