Best start grant: what you get and how to apply
Three payments for low income families in Scotland, at birth, at two and at school age. None of it is paid back and you can spend it on anything.
By Graeme · Published 29 October 2026 · 5 min read
Last updated · Figures checked
Quick answer · Best Start Grant 2026/27
£796.65for a first child
The Pregnancy and Baby Payment for your first child. Later children get less. The Early Learning and School Age payments are the same for every child.
- Pregnancy and Baby, first child
- £796.65
- Pregnancy and Baby, later children
- £398.35
- Early Learning Payment
- £331.95
- School Age Payment
- £331.95
2026/27 ratesSource mygov.scot
On this page
Best Start Grant is three one off payments from Social Security Scotland for families on a low income. One around the birth, one when your child is two or three, and one when they start school. You don't pay any of it back, and you can spend it on whatever you need.
How much the best start grant is
2026/27
The three Best Start Grant payments
| Payment | Amount | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and Baby Payment, first child | £796.65 | From 24 weeks pregnant until the baby is 6 months old |
| Pregnancy and Baby Payment, later children | £398.35 | Same window |
| Early Learning Payment | £331.95 | When your child is between 2 and 3 years 6 months |
| School Age Payment | £331.95 | The year your child is first old enough for P1 |
Over the three payments, a first child can bring in £1,460.55. That's real money at the points where a family tends to need it most.
Best start grant early learning payment
The Early Learning Payment is £331.95 per child. You claim it when your child is between 2 years old and 3 years 6 months. Your child doesn't have to go to nursery to get it. Clothes, toys, days out, it's up to you.
Some of it is now automatic
If you already get Scottish Child Payment for a child of the right age, Social Security Scotland checks whether you can get the Early Learning Payment and the School Age Payment and pays you without a separate application.
School Age Payment dates
Children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022 can be claimed for from 1 June 2026 to 28 February 2027. Children born between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023 can be claimed for from 1 June 2027 to 29 February 2028. You still claim in that year if you're deferring school.
Who can get it
You or your partner normally need to get one of these:
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- income based Jobseeker's Allowance
- income related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Benefit on its own doesn't count. If you're under 18 you don't need any benefit at all. If you're 18 or 19 and get nothing yourself, you can still claim if your parent or carer gets Child Benefit or a similar payment for you.
Best Start Foods
Best Start Foods sits alongside the grant. It's a prepaid card topped up every four weeks to spend on healthy food like milk and fruit.
- £22.40 every four weeks while you're pregnant
- £44.80 for each child under one
- £22.40 for each child aged one to three
Apply for best start grant
One form covers all three grant payments, Best Start Foods and . You'll get a separate letter for each one.
- Online through mygov.scot. Most people take 10 to 20 minutes, and you can't save it halfway, so set aside the time.
- By phone on 0800 182 2222, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays.
- On a paper form, including large print.
Have your number, bank details, your partner's name and date of birth, and the details of your children to hand. Don't apply twice for the same child while you're waiting, as it slows everything down.
One form for every family payment
Apply once and Social Security Scotland checks you for all five family payments, including .
Best Start Grant on mygov.scot
