Best Start Grants

Best Start Grants are payments available from the Scottish Government to support low income families with children.

The Best Start Grant includes three one-off cash payments that you can apply for if you're a parent or a carer.

• Pregnancy and Baby Payment
• Early Learning Payment
• School Age Payment

You can get these payments:

• If you have a child who's the right age for a payment.
• Whether you're in work or not, as long as you're on certain payments or tax credits.

Pregnancy and Baby Payment

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a one-off payment of £642.35 for your first child then £321.20 for each younger child. You can get Pregnancy and Baby Payment at any time after you have reached the end of the 24th week of pregnancy until the day your baby is 6 months old. You do not need to pay this back. It is there to help you with pregnancy or baby related expenses, including clothes and nursery items.

Early Learning Payment

The £267.65 Early Learning Payment is for children aged between two to three and a half. You can use it for anything from children’s clothes and shoes to toys, books or days out – it is not a loan so does not have to be paid back.

School Age Payment

The £267.65 School Age Payment is made around the time a child normally starts Primary 1 to help with the costs of a child starting school. You can use it for anything from school bags, shoes, a warm coat, after school clubs, books or days out– it is not a loan so does not have to be paid back.

How to apply

You can apply for a Best Start Grant online at the mygov.scot website:

If you can’t apply online, Social Security Scotland are taking applications on their freephone helpline. Phone 0800 182 2222 to apply.