Two benefits providing extra money to families with the cost of
healthy food and starting school, are turning five years old.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment supports families with a
one-off payment of £314.45 to help cover the cost of starting
primary school, and has provided £33.5 million to over 100,000
parents and carers.
Best Start Foods worth up to £42.40 every four weeks to help
families purchase healthy foods and has given £57.1 million to
over 86,000 parents and carers.
Since launching in 2019, a number of improvements have been
introduced to ensure more people have access to the support they
need.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment is now paid automatically to
eligible people getting Scottish Child Payment without the need
to apply. According to latest statistics, 42,535 automatic awards
were made for School Age Payment between Dec 2022 and June 2024,
meaning less paperwork for tens of thousands of families.
The removal of income limits for Best Start Foods has increased
access to vital financial support to help more families afford
healthy foods for their children.
On the anniversary of these payments Social Security Scotland are
urging families to check if they are eligible and spend money
available on their Best Start Food card.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice said:
“Eradicating child poverty is the most important priority for our
government, and we are committed to making sure every child in
Scotland has the best start in life.
“We have built a different social security system, one grounded
in dignity, fairness, and respect. Part of this is making it as
straightforward as possible for people to access the financial
support that people are entitled to.
“The introduction of automatic payments and removal of income
limits for Best Start Foods means we're getting more money to
families when they need it most. As families continue dealing
with the cost-of-living crisis, I am urging everyone to check if
they are eligible and make sure they are getting the money they
need to help cover the costs of starting school and buying
healthy food.
Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland Satwat Rehman said:
“ We are delighted to recognise the 5-year anniversary of the
excellent Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant programmes.
“These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting families
across Scotland, helping to ensure that every child has access to
nutritious food and essential early years support.
“We look forward to the Scottish Government continuing this vital
work and making a positive difference in the lives of many more
families.”
A parent in receipt of Best Start Early Payment Grant said:
"The grant made all the difference when she was starting
nursery as I was really worried about how I was going to afford
things for her .
“She loved her new clothes and bag. It was so good being able to
get things for her and not be worried about how I was going to
pay for them. "
Background
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to
30 June 2024 Social Security Scotland -
Over £25 million paid to Scottish carers in June
Best Start Grant School Age Payment and Best Start Foods are part
of a wider package of financial support, known as the five family
payments, administered by Social Security Scotland. This includes
Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and three Best Start
Grant payments (Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning
Payment and School Age Payment) which provide financial support
to help at key stages in a child's life.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment
Eligible families can receive Best Start Grant School Age Payment
if their child was born between 1 March 2019 and 29 February
2020. School Age Payment applications can be made between 1 June
2024 and 28 February 2025 when the application window closes.
People who already get Scottish Child Payment will get Best Start
Grant School Age Payment, but some people need to apply
separately.
This includes people who get Housing Benefit and who are not
eligible for Scottish Child Payment and those who have chosen not
apply for Scottish Child Payment or opted out of automatic
payments. This also includes parents and carers who are under 18,
or who are 18 or 19 and dependent on someone else who receives
benefits for them.
Best Start Foods
The Scottish Government replaced the UK Healthy Start Voucher
scheme in Scotland with Best Start Foods on 12 August 2019
Best Start Foods is provided via a prepaid card that can be used
in shops or online to buy healthy foods like milk or fruit and
can also be used for first infant formula. It is:
- £21.20 every 4 weeks during pregnancy – the payment amount is
per pregnancy.
- £42.40 every 4 weeks from birth until the age of one
- £21.20 every 4 weeks for children between the ages of one and
3 years old
Balances can be checked online via clients' allpay accounts which
they were given when they received their Best Start Foods card or
by calling allpay on 0808 196 1687.
