Best Start Grant and Foods
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are Scottish Government payments administered by Social Security Scotland for families with young children on low incomes. They provide one-off grants at key stages of a child's early years and a prepaid card for healthy food — these are separate from, and additional to, UK-wide benefits.
Important
Key points
- Best Start Grant provides three one-off payments — a Pregnancy and Baby Payment, a First Birthday Payment, and a School Age Payment.
- The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is £754.65 for a first child and £377.35 for subsequent children (2024–25 rates).
- Best Start Foods is a prepaid card scheme for healthy food — similar to Healthy Start but only available in Scotland.
- Both schemes are administered by Social Security Scotland and are open to families receiving certain means-tested benefits.
Best Start Grant Payments
Best Start Grant consists of three separate payments made at different stages:
Pregnancy and Baby Payment: £754.65 for a first child or £377.35 for subsequent children. Claim from 24 weeks pregnant up to 6 months after the birth. You must receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Income Support, or Housing Benefit.
First Birthday Payment: £251.20, paid around the child's first birthday. This payment is for all children where the household receives a qualifying benefit — not just the first child.
School Age Payment: £251.20, paid when a child is between 2 years 6 months and 3 years 6 months of age (the year before they start school). Again, this applies to all qualifying children, not just the first.
All three payments are tax-free, do not affect other benefits, and do not need to be repaid.
Best Start Foods
Best Start Foods is a prepaid Mastercard scheme in Scotland providing money to spend on healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood. The amounts and eligible purchases are similar to the UK-wide Healthy Start scheme, but Best Start Foods is administered separately by Social Security Scotland.
Eligible purchases include cow's milk, fruit, vegetables, pulses, and infant formula. The card is loaded with money every four weeks and can be used at major supermarkets and retailers accepting Mastercard.
If you live in Scotland and receive Healthy Start, you should switch to Best Start Foods instead — you cannot receive both at the same time. Best Start Foods typically provides more money than Healthy Start.
How to Apply
Apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods through Social Security Scotland:
- Online: mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/
- By phone: 0800 182 2222 (free, Monday to Friday 8am–6pm)
- By post: Download a paper form from the Social Security Scotland website
You will need your name, address, NI number, details of the qualifying benefit you receive, and bank account details. For the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, you will also need your midwife's name.
Each payment must be claimed separately — you will not automatically receive the First Birthday or School Age payments unless you claim them. Set reminders for the relevant dates to avoid missing out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Best Start Grant if I receive Universal Credit?
Do I need to live in Scotland to qualify?
Does Best Start Grant affect my Universal Credit?
What to do next
- 1Apply for Best Start Grant and Foods
Apply online through the mygov.scot portal.
- 2Healthy Start vouchers (rest of UK)
The equivalent scheme for families in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- 3Scottish Child Payment
Additional £26.70 per week per qualifying child in Scotland.
Official bodies and resources
Department for Work and Pensions
GovernmentThe government department responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy in the UK.
Citizens Advice
CharityProvides free, confidential, and independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment.
Was this page helpful?
Related guides
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is the main working-age benefit in the UK, replacing six older benefits including Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Cost support. It supports people who are on a low income, out of work, or unable to work due to illness or disability. Understanding how it works can make a significant difference to your financial situation.
12 min
Child Benefit Basics
Child Benefit is a regular tax-free payment for people who are responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training). It is not means-tested, so anyone responsible for a qualifying child can claim — though households where either partner earns over £60,000 may face a High Income Child Benefit Charge.
5 min
Healthy Start Vouchers
Healthy Start is a government scheme providing a prepaid NHS Mastercard loaded with money every four weeks to help low-income pregnant women and families with young children buy healthy food and vitamins. The old paper vouchers were replaced in 2021 by a reloadable card accepted at most major supermarkets across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you are on a qualifying benefit — or are under 18 and pregnant — you may be entitled to hundreds of pounds of support each year that never affects your other benefit payments.
6 min
Free School Meals Eligibility
Free school meals provide eligible children with a nutritious lunch at school at no cost to parents. Eligibility in England is linked to household receipt of certain benefits. All children in Reception to Year 2 in state schools receive universal infant free school meals, regardless of family income. Older children must meet specific income-related criteria.
5 min
Disclaimer