Close Menu
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
  • News
    • Angus South
    • Holyrood
    • Westminster
    • Education
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Generic Consent Form
    • NHS Consent Form
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Wednesday, May 14
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
  • News
    1. Angus South
    2. Holyrood
    3. Westminster
    4. Education
    5. View All

    Graeme’s Column

    18th April 2025

    14 Years of free prescriptions under the SNP Government

    2nd April 2025

    Pension Age Disability Payment opens in Angus

    24th March 2025

    Graeme’s Column

    21st March 2025

    One Year Until Scottish Parliament Election

    9th May 2025

    Labour Will Never Scrap 2-Child Cap

    30th April 2025

    Commitment to Safeguarding Democracy

    25th April 2025

    Rent Control Consultation Published

    23rd April 2025

    Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

    13th May 2025

    Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

    12th May 2025

    Delay RTS Shutdown or Compensate Scots

    9th May 2025

    Grangemouth Stops Refining Oil

    30th April 2025

    Education Secretary visits University of Dundee

    15th April 2025

    Improving outdoor play

    24th March 2025

    Widening Access to University Education

    20th March 2025

    £4,900+ a Year for Student Carers

    20th March 2025

    Call for more foster carers

    13th May 2025

    Graeme’s Column

    13th May 2025

    Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

    13th May 2025

    Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

    12th May 2025
  • About
    • Graeme Dey MSP
    • GDPR
      • Privacy Policy
      • Child Data Protection
      • Cookies
  • Surgeries
  • Issues
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Law & Order
    • Social Security
    • Transport
    • Devolved and Reserved Powers
  • Gallery
    • 2021 –
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
    • 2016 – 2020
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
    • 2011 – 2015
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
  • Videos
    • Members’ Business
    • Questions
      • First Minister’s Questions
      • General Questions
      • Portfolio Questions
      • Topical Questions
  • Contact
    • Contact Graeme
    • Generic Consent Form
    • NHS Consent Form
Graeme DeyGraeme Dey
You are at:Home»Holyrood»Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

LucieBy Lucie5th January 20234 Views4 Mins Read Holyrood
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp

Introducing the Best Start Grant, a series of cash payments to help cover the cost of certain items you’ll need as a new parent.

There are three payments that you can apply for depending on how old your child is: the Pregnancy and Baby payment, the Early Learning payment, and the School Age payment.

You can choose what you spend the payments on – whether that’s a pram, clothes, toys or anything else you need.

Best Start Foods is a payment card you can use to buy healthy food for you and your child. You can use it while you’re pregnant and on any child who is 3 or under.

Who can get the 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, you don’t need to be on any payments or benefits to apply for Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods.

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.

What is the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby 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.

What is the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment?

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.

What is the Best Start School Age Payment?

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.

What is Best Start Foods?

Best Start Foods is a pre-paid card you can use to buy healthy food. It replaces the UK Government’s Healthy Start Vouchers in Scotland.

What can I buy with the payment card?

You can buy any of these foods:

  • 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.

You can use the card in any shop that sells the healthy foods listed on the card and takes card payments, and you can use it in store or online.

How many children qualify for a payment in each family?

There is no limit on the number of children you can claim Best Start Foods for. You will get a payment for any child you have a responsibility for who’s aged between birth and 3 years old.

How does the card work?

The card is just like a normal debit card with a pin number and is contactless too. You can use it anywhere that accepts bank card payments and sells the food you can buy with the card. It is also possible to use it for online shopping for your groceries if you have registered email and mobile numbers when registering your payment card

Will Best Start Foods affect other benefits?

No – Best Start Foods doesn’t count as income if you’re applying for any other benefits or tax credits.

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

How do I apply?

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.

Visit mygov.scot to find out more about all the payments.

Best Start Foods Best Start Grant Payments winter help
Previous ArticleFunding for Dundee & Angus ADHD Support Group
Next Article Scotland Outperforms UK in Building Affordable Housing
Lucie

I am working as a Constituency Assistant for Graeme. I joined the team after doing a master's degree at the University of Glasgow.

Related Posts

Graeme’s Column

13th May 2025

One Year Until Scottish Parliament Election

9th May 2025

Labour Will Never Scrap 2-Child Cap

30th April 2025
latest news

Call for more foster carers

Graeme’s Column

Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

About
About

Graeme Dey is the the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Angus South Constituency.

Having worked for The Courier newspaper for 26 years, Graeme was elected to Holyrood in 2011.

In March 2023, Graeme was chosen by First Minister Humza Yousaf to be Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Latest Posts

Call for more foster carers

Graeme’s Column

Labour immigration policy threatens Scotland’s NHS

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

Flickr Photos
Transport Police
RM Condor Parliament 2
D&A College (Apprenticeship Week) 6
Deaf Hub 3
DofE3
Humza and Graeme close up pro
Humza Graeme Sign
Independence Convention
July7 Surgery 2]
CWA Parl 3
20230712_104835
20230712_110433
Banking Hub 1
SSERC
Ayrshire College
Poverty Alliance
© 2025 Graeme Dey MSP. No parliamentary funds have been used to create and maintain this website. Promoted by G. Dey, 282 High St, DD11 1JF.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.