Children & FamiliesScotland 2026/27

Best Start Foods Scotland 2026/27

Best Start Foods provides a prepaid Mastercard loaded with money every four weeks to help buy healthy food including milk, fruit, vegetables, and pulses.

Amount

£10.29/week

Frequency

4-weekly

Annual value

£535

Administered by

Soc. Sec. Scotland

2026/27 Rate

£10.29/week

£535/year equivalent

Administered by

Social Security Scotland

Paid 4-weekly

Eligibility

Best Start Foods provides a prepaid Mastercard loaded with money every four weeks to help buy healthy food including milk, fruit, vegetables, and pulses. It is available during pregnancy and until a child's third birthday. You must be on a qualifying benefit, or be under 18 and pregnant.

Key eligibility criteria:

£5.14 per week if pregnant (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)
£10.29 per week for a baby under 1 year old (paid 4-weekly as £41.16)
£5.14 per week for a child aged 1–3 years (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)
Comes as a prepaid Mastercard — accepted at any shop that takes Mastercard payments
Can be used for: milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula
If you are under 18 and pregnant, you qualify regardless of whether you receive benefits

Best Start Foods — amount breakdown 2026/27

Weekly rate	£10.29
4-weekly payment	£41.16
Annual equivalent	£535
Last updated	April 2026

Scotland vs England — Best Start Foods

England's Healthy Start vouchers provide £4.25/week (pregnant) or £8.50/week (baby under 1) — Scotland's Best Start Foods is more generous at every stage and uses a prepaid card rather than paper vouchers, giving greater flexibility on where to shop.

How to apply

Apply online at mygov.scot, by calling the freephone number 0800 182 2222, or by requesting a paper application form. Social Security Scotland aims to process most applications within 10 working days.

What to have ready when applying:

Your National Insurance number
Bank account details for payment
Details of any qualifying benefits you currently receive
Details of your children, including dates of birth and evidence of qualifying benefit

Apply on mygov.scot →

When is Best Start Foods paid?

Money is loaded onto your prepaid Best Start Foods card every 4 weeks. The card works anywhere that accepts Mastercard — no restrictions on which supermarket or shop you use.

Key facts — Best Start Foods

£5.14 per week if pregnant (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)
£10.29 per week for a baby under 1 year old (paid 4-weekly as £41.16)
£5.14 per week for a child aged 1–3 years (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)
Comes as a prepaid Mastercard — accepted at any shop that takes Mastercard payments
Can be used for: milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula
If you are under 18 and pregnant, you qualify regardless of whether you receive benefits

Frequently asked questions

How much is Best Start Foods in 2026/27?

Best Start Foods is £10.29/week in 2026/27 following a 3.8% CPI uplift from April 2026. The annual equivalent is approximately £535. It is paid 4-weekly.

Who administers Best Start Foods?

Best Start Foods is administered by Social Security Scotland. You can apply online at mygov.scot, by phone on 0800 182 2222, or by requesting a paper form.

Is Best Start Foods available in England?

When is Best Start Foods paid?

Money is loaded onto your prepaid Best Start Foods card every 4 weeks. The card works anywhere that accepts Mastercard — no restrictions on which supermarket or shop you use.

Related benefits

Scottish Child Payment

Social Security Scotland

£28.20/week

View →

Best Start Grant

Social Security Scotland

See details

View →

Two Child Limit Payment

Social Security Scotland

£308.60/month

View →

Check your full benefits entitlement

Use our Benefits Checker to see all Scottish benefits you may qualify for based on your income, family situation, and health needs.

Check my eligibility →All Scottish benefits

Rates shown are for 2026/27 following the 3.8% CPI uplift from April 2026. Eligibility rules and payment amounts are subject to change. Always verify current rates and eligibility with Social Security Scotland (mygov.scot) or by calling 0800 182 2222. MoneySCOT is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with Social Security Scotland or the Scottish Government.

Eligibility

Key eligibility criteria:

£5.14 per week if pregnant (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)

£10.29 per week for a baby under 1 year old (paid 4-weekly as £41.16)

£5.14 per week for a child aged 1–3 years (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)

Comes as a prepaid Mastercard — accepted at any shop that takes Mastercard payments

Can be used for: milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula

If you are under 18 and pregnant, you qualify regardless of whether you receive benefits

How to apply

What to have ready when applying:

Your National Insurance number
Bank account details for payment
Details of any qualifying benefits you currently receive
Details of your children, including dates of birth and evidence of qualifying benefit

Apply on mygov.scot →

Key facts — Best Start Foods

£5.14 per week if pregnant (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)

£10.29 per week for a baby under 1 year old (paid 4-weekly as £41.16)

£5.14 per week for a child aged 1–3 years (paid 4-weekly as £20.56)

Comes as a prepaid Mastercard — accepted at any shop that takes Mastercard payments

Can be used for: milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula

If you are under 18 and pregnant, you qualify regardless of whether you receive benefits

Frequently asked questions

How much is Best Start Foods in 2026/27?

Best Start Foods is £10.29/week in 2026/27 following a 3.8% CPI uplift from April 2026. The annual equivalent is approximately £535. It is paid 4-weekly.

Who administers Best Start Foods?

Best Start Foods is administered by Social Security Scotland. You can apply online at mygov.scot, by phone on 0800 182 2222, or by requesting a paper form.

Is Best Start Foods available in England?

When is Best Start Foods paid?

Money is loaded onto your prepaid Best Start Foods card every 4 weeks. The card works anywhere that accepts Mastercard — no restrictions on which supermarket or shop you use.