Scottish Government's Best Start Pregnancy and Baby Grant

The Scottish Government has now replaced the Sure Start Maternity grant with Best Start Pregnancy and Baby grant. The Best Start Grant includes 3 different grants:

• The pregnancy and baby grant – to help with the cost of pregnancy or having a new baby
• The early learning grant – a payment of £250 when you child starts nursery
• The school age grant – a further payment of £250 to help with the additional costs when your child starts school

You’ll be eligible for best start grant if you get any of the following benefits:

• Universal credit
• Income support
• Income-based Job Seeker’s allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Pension credit
• Housing benefit
• Child tax credit
• Working tax credit

If you’re under 19 and someone else is claiming child benefit, child tax credit or universal credit for you, you’ll be eligible for best start grant regardless of income.

People who have adopted a baby or who have started looking after a baby as a kinship carer can also apply for the grant. They will have until the end of the day before the child’s first birthday to apply.

If you have twins or a multiple birth £600 is payable per child, if you have no other children living with you. If there are other children living with you, it is £300 per child in a multiple birth, plus one supplement of £300.

For further information regarding Best Start please visit here on the Scottish Government's website, you can also apply for the Grant online here.

If you need help or you’d prefer to apply by phone, you can call 0800182 2222 (8am to 6pm Monday- Friday)

If you wish to discuss Best Start further or any other benefits please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer our Financial Inclusion Officer on 01595 694986 or email jennifer@hjaltland.org