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July 29, 2025

Scotland: MyGov Scot Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods


Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child.
About Best Start Grant

The 3 Best Start Grant payments are:

Pregnancy and Baby Payment
Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps with the costs of having a baby. You can apply for this payment during pregnancy to help prepare for your baby's arrival, or after your baby is born.

Early Learning Payment
If your application is successful you'll get £319.80 to help with the costs of early learning. You can get the payment when your child is aged between 2 years old and 3 years and 6 months old. To get this payment your child does not need to go to nursery.

School Age Payment
School Age Payment is a payment of £319.80 per child. It helps with the costs of preparing for school when your child is first old enough to start primary school.

About Best Start Foods

Best Start Foods is a payment that can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit during pregnancy and when your child is under 3.

Best Start Foods is paid every 4 weeks. The payments are:£21.60 during pregnancy (you’ll get the same amount whether you’re having one or more babies)
£43.20 for each child from birth until they’re one year old
£21.60 for each child aged between one and 3 years old

If your baby’s born early, you’ll get the higher amount from birth until 1 year after the due date.

For further information 👉 Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods - mygov.scot


Information provided by Leuchars HIVE