Best Start Scotland
Last updated: 08/04/2025
Best Start Grant helps with the costs when you have a baby. There is also help when your child starts nursery and school.
The Best Start Grant School Age Payment application deadline is 28 February 2025
If you are already receiving Scottish Child Payment you do not need to apply, as this payment will be made to you automatically.
If you are not getting Scottish Child Payment or if you have opted out of automatic payments you must apply to the Best Start Grant School Age Payment before the 28 February 2025.
The Best Start Grant includes 3 different payments:
The Best Start Grant includes 3 different payments:
- Best Start Pregnancy and Baby Payment – to help with the costs of pregnancy and having a new baby. You will receive £767.50 from your 25th week of pregnancy to 6 months after the birth of your first child and £383.75 on the birth of any following children. The higher amount may also be given for another baby born:
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- when the mother has had to leave her home due to domestic abuse,
- after the parent/carer has taken on kinship care of child who was over 12 months old when they started caring for them,
- to someone granted refugee status, humanitarian protection or leave under the Afghanistan or Ukraine resettlement schemes who had a child before they arrived in the UK.
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- Best Start Early Learning Payment – a payment of £319.80 to help with the costs of early learning. It is paid when your child is between 2 years and 3 years 6 months old. Your child does not need to be in nursery to get it. If you did not get the Pregnancy and Baby Payment you can still apply for this part.
- Best Start School Age Payment – a further payment of £319.80 to help with the additional costs when your child is school age. Your child does not need to start school to get this.
You may also get help to buy food for you and your baby from Best Start Foods.
Baby Box
Parents of all new-born babies in Scotland can receive a Baby Box. The box contains items you will need for your baby. The box itself can be used as a safe place for your baby to sleep.
Your midwife will fill in a Baby Box registration card at your 18 – 20 or 28 week anti-natal appointment. The box will be delivered to you 4 weeks before your baby’s due date.