Scottish Government has increased the payments available to lower income families for each child they have. The Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment aims to help children across Scotland have a fairer start by providing cash payments to families at significant points in a young child’s life.

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, delivered by Social Security Scotland, is part of Best Start Grant, a package of 3 payments that will give additional money to low income families during the early years of a child’s life.

Eligible families will receive a one-off payment of £600 for their first child, and £300 for each subsequent child. Families do not need to pay this money back, as it is delivered to assist with pregnancy or baby related expenses, including clothes and nursery items.

The new Pregnancy and Baby Payment launched on Monday 10^th December, and parents and carers can apply for the payment from the 24^th week of pregnancy, up until the child is 6 months old. Either parent or carer can apply.

Following the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, 2 additional payments of £250 each will be paid to assist with early learning and school preparation costs; this will be open for applications from eligible families by summer 2019.

To be eligible for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, parents and carers must live in Scotland and be in receipt of a qualifying benefit from the list below:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

Those with children under 18 years old, or who are 18 – 19 years old and still dependant on their parents, and in full time education or training, do not need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. The Pregnancy and Baby Payment will not affect other benefits or tax credits.

To apply, or for further information, please visit the Best Start Grant website.

Alternatively, contact Social Security Scotland by phone: 0800 182 2222, or post: Social Security Scotland, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 9FW.