Families getting a Scottish benefit to help them buy healthy
foods are being urged to check their balance on their prepaid
card.
Best Start Foods, a payment of up to £42.40 every four weeks,
helps eligible pregnant women, parents, families and carers with
children under the age of three to buy healthy foods from a range
of supermarkets, small shops and online stores.
Since its launch in 2019, over £57 million has been paid to over
86,000 parents and carers.
The majority of people say it is clear how to use the card, it
has helped them to buy milk or healthy food and have been able to
use it without any difficulty, according to a recent
survey.
People that have not yet activated their card or don't use it
regularly could be missing out on money that can help pay for
healthy foods. Social Security Scotland continue to contact those
getting Best Start Foods via text message to alert them to
balances available to spend on their cards.
People can apply for the payment as soon as they know they are
pregnant, during pregnancy and up to when their child turns
three.
The removal of income limits earlier this year also means even
more people can now get the payment and are being urged to check
if they are eligible.
Speaking at a visit Edinburgh Community Food during Challenge
Poverty Week, Social Justice Secretary, , said:
“We are determined to eradicate child poverty and reduce health
inequalities in Scotland and Best Start Foods, part of the five
family payments, is part of a package to support this.
“We want to make sure people know about, and get, all the
financial help they are entitled to. This is particularly
relevant during the continuing cost of living crisis.
“I'm urging anyone who has a Best Start Foods card to look it
out, make sure it's activated and check the balance for money to
help pay for their food shop.
“If cards are lost, or people are unsure of how to use them,
support is available to help them use their card. The card works
the same as any chip and pin card and can be used in many
supermarkets, small shops and online.
“The Scottish Government removed income limits earlier this year,
so I would also urge anyone who has not yet applied for Best
Start Foods to check if they are eligible.”
Brenda Black, Chief Executive Officer at Edinburgh Community
Food, added:
“Working together with Social Security Scotland and
community partners we help mothers and (guardians) check their
eligibility and to access their money through the handy Best
Start Foods Pre-Paid Card providing a dignified way to spend
their payment on healthier foods to enjoy with their growing
family.
“Edinburgh Community Food plays a key role in supporting &
nourishing futures for expecting mothers and their
children.
“We are determined to use every creative way possible to
support their access to nourishing food during the first 2001
days, which are crucial for every child's growth and
development.”
Contact Information
Gail Wilson
gail.wilson@gov.scot
Notes to editors
Background
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods statistics: Social Security Scotland -
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to
30 June 2024
Client Survey: Five Family Payments (December 2023 – March
2024)
allpay is the provider of the Best Start Foods card. People can
check their Best Start Foods balance at a cash machine, online
via their allpay accounts which they were given when they
received their Best Start Foods card, or by calling allpay on
0808 196 1687.
The five family payments, administered by Social Security
Scotland, include the 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.
The Scottish Government replaced the UK Healthy Start Voucher
scheme in Scotland with Best Start Foods on 12 August 201. 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 from one until they turn
3
People getting Universal Credit, tax credits and other qualifying
benefits can apply as soon as they find out they are pregnant and
until their child turns 3. Parents under the age of 18 do not
need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. This is also the
case for parents aged 18 or 19 who are dependent on someone who
is receiving benefits for them.
Income limits were removed from the eligibility criteria for Best
Start Foods in February 2024.
Edinburgh Community Food
tackle health inequalities in low-income communities in Edinburgh
through Food and Health Development and Promotion, including
cooking and nutrition courses, health information presentations
and delivery of Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
accredited courses.
