Quick Summary
- Three separate grants — Pregnancy and Baby Payment (up to £707.25), Early Learning Payment (£294.70), and School Age Payment (£294.70)
- Only available in Scotland — Social Security Scotland administers all three; equivalent payments don't exist in England for second and subsequent children
- You must be on a qualifying benefit — Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or certain other benefits to be eligible for each payment
- Use our Scottish Benefits Checker to see which grants you're entitled to
The Best Start Grant is one of Scotland's most valuable family benefits — but many families miss out because they don't know all three payments exist or how to claim each one separately. Here's everything you need to know.
Quick Answer: The Best Start Grant has three parts: the Pregnancy and Baby Payment (£707.25 for a first child, £353.65 for subsequent children), the Early Learning Payment (£294.70 per child around age 2–3), and the School Age Payment (£294.70 per child when starting Primary 1). You must be receiving a qualifying benefit — such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit — and claim each payment within a specific window. Payments are made by Social Security Scotland and don't affect any other benefit. Use our Scottish Benefits Checker to check eligibility.
What is the Best Start Grant?
The Best Start Grant is a set of three tax-free, one-off payments from Social Security Scotland to help families with the costs of having and raising a child. It was introduced in 2019 as part of Scotland's devolved social security system, replacing the UK Government's Sure Start Maternity Grant in Scotland.
All three payments are:
- Tax-free — they don't count as income for tax purposes
- Not means-tested on savings — eligibility depends on qualifying benefit receipt, not on savings levels
- Non-repayable — grants, not loans
- Paid by Social Security Scotland — applied for and administered separately from DWP or HMRC
Payment 1: Pregnancy and Baby Payment
The largest of the three grants, paid once per pregnancy.
| Situation | Amount |
|---|---|
| First child | £707.25 |
| Second or subsequent child | £353.65 |
| Stillbirth after 24 weeks | £707.25 (first) / £353.65 (subsequent) |
| Twins | Two separate payments (e.g. £707.25 + £353.65) |
Claim window: From 24 weeks pregnant to 6 months after the baby's birth. The window is generous but fixed — claim before the baby turns 6 months or the payment is permanently lost.
What it covers: The payment is unrestricted — pram, cot, clothing, feeding equipment, or anything else your family needs. There's no requirement to spend it on specific items.
Payment 2: Early Learning Payment
A payment specifically for children aged 2 to 3½.
Amount: £294.70 per child (same for first and subsequent children)
Claim window: Between your child's 2nd birthday and the day before their 3½ birthday. This is the shortest window of the three — it's easy to miss if you're not tracking it.
Important: This payment is not automatic. You must apply within the window. Add a diary reminder for your child's second birthday.
Payment 3: School Age Payment
A payment to help with the costs of starting primary school.
Amount: £294.70 per child
Claim window: Social Security Scotland should write to you when your child is approaching school age. The payment applies when your child enters Primary 1 (typically age 4–5 in Scotland).
Unlike the other two payments, Social Security Scotland makes some effort to notify eligible families automatically. However, you still need to be receiving a qualifying benefit at the time — if your benefit status has changed since the previous payments, eligibility is reassessed.
Try it yourself
Check which Scottish benefits and grants you're entitled to based on your circumstances.
Open Scottish Benefits CheckerNo sign-up required.
Who qualifies?
To receive any Best Start Grant payment, you (or your partner) must be getting at least one qualifying benefit at the time of the claim:
| Qualifying benefit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Most common qualifier — includes carers, part-time workers, parents at home |
| Child Tax Credit | Legacy benefit, still active for some families |
| Working Tax Credit | Must also receive a disability or severe disability element |
| Income Support | Legacy benefit |
| Jobseeker's Allowance (income-related) | Legacy benefit |
| Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) | Legacy benefit |
| Pension Credit | For grandparent carers raising grandchildren |
Universal Credit is the most important qualifier. Most Scottish families with children and household income below roughly £40,000–50,000 receive some UC — even if the payment is small, any UC award qualifies you for the grant. If you're unsure, check your UC journal at universal-credit.service.gov.uk or call Social Security Scotland.
Who doesn't qualify
- Families not receiving any qualifying benefit (even if on a low income without benefits)
- Non-residents of Scotland at the time of the claim
- Families who miss the claim window — each payment has a specific age window with no extensions
Total value across all payments
For a family with two children, claiming all available payments:
| Child | Pregnancy & Baby | Early Learning | School Age | Total per child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First child | £707.25 | £294.70 | £294.70 | £1,296.65 |
| Second child | £353.65 | £294.70 | £294.70 | £943.05 |
| Family total (2 children) | £2,239.70 |
For a family with three children: up to £3,182.75 total across all grants.
These payments sit on top of the Scottish Child Payment (£26.70/week per child), Child Benefit (£26.05/week for the first child), and any other benefits. They don't reduce any other payment and don't count as income.
How to claim
All three payments are claimed through Social Security Scotland — not through HMRC, the DWP, or your local council.
Online
Apply at mygov.scot/best-start-grant. You'll need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your child's date of birth or due date
- Your benefit details (the system can auto-check your benefit status with consent)
- Your bank account details
Processing time: typically 2–3 weeks for a standard online application.
By phone
Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (free, Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–4pm). Staff can take your application over the phone — useful if you find the online process difficult or if you're making a complex claim.
Through a support organisation
Citizens Advice Scotland, local advice agencies, and Social Security Scotland's local offices can help with applications. If you're already working with a benefits adviser, ask them to check which Best Start Grant payments you may be entitled to claim.
Try it yourself
See all Scottish benefits and grants you may be entitled to — not just Best Start Grant.
Open Scottish Benefits CheckerNo sign-up required.
Scotland vs the rest of the UK
The Best Start Grant replaced the UK Government's Sure Start Maternity Grant for Scottish residents. The comparison:
| Feature | Scotland | England/Wales/NI |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy/maternity payment | £707.25 (1st), £353.65 (subsequent) | £500 (first child only) |
| Early learning payment | £294.70 per child | None |
| School age payment | £294.70 per child | None |
| Maximum for first child | £1,296.65 | £500 |
| Covers subsequent children? | Yes (at reduced rate) | No |
Scotland's system is significantly more generous at every stage. The UK Government's Sure Start Maternity Grant was limited to first children only. Scotland extended payments to all eligible children and added two further payment stages.
Common mistakes
1. Missing the Early Learning Payment
Many families claim the Pregnancy and Baby Payment but forget the Early Learning Payment exists. No automatic reminder is sent for this one. Set a calendar alert for your child's second birthday.
2. Claiming too late
Each payment has a strict deadline. If you miss the Pregnancy and Baby Payment window (baby's 6-month birthday), it's permanently lost. Social Security Scotland cannot make retrospective payments outside the claim window.
3. Assuming employment disqualifies you
You can claim Best Start Grant while working, as long as you're receiving a qualifying benefit. Working parents on Universal Credit — which includes many households earning up to £45,000+ — qualify. UC is a qualifying benefit even at low payment amounts.
4. Not applying for UC in time
If you're pregnant and not on any qualifying benefit, applying for Universal Credit before your baby turns 6 months may open eligibility for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment — and may also provide ongoing financial support. Act early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be on benefits for every payment?
Yes — your benefit status is assessed at the time of each individual claim. Being on benefits when you receive the Pregnancy and Baby Payment doesn't guarantee you'll still qualify for the Early Learning Payment three years later. Each claim is assessed independently.
Does Best Start Grant affect my other benefits?
No. The Best Start Grant is specifically excluded from counting as income for Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits, and all other means-tested benefits. Receiving it doesn't reduce any other payment.
Can kinship carers or foster carers claim?
Yes — kinship carers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings raising a child) can claim for children in their care if they're receiving a qualifying benefit. Foster carers can claim in some circumstances — contact Social Security Scotland for advice specific to your situation.
What about twins or triplets?
Each child is treated separately. Twins qualify for two Pregnancy and Baby Payments, two Early Learning Payments, and two School Age Payments — each calculated at the appropriate rate for that child's position in the family (first/subsequent).
Can I claim for an adopted child?
Yes. For adopted children, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment claim window runs from the date of placement for adoption, not the child's date of birth. Contact Social Security Scotland to confirm the exact window for your circumstances.
Related Articles
- Scottish Child Payment Guide — £26.70/week per child for qualifying families
- Scottish Benefits Guide — full overview of all Scotland-only benefits
- Adult Disability Payment Scotland — if your child has a disability
- Carer Support Payment Scotland — if you're a carer as well as a parent
- Free Personal Care Scotland — council-provided care for older relatives
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or benefits advice. Benefit rules can change — always verify current eligibility and amounts with Social Security Scotland at mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222.
Sources: Social Security Scotland — Best Start Grant, mygov.scot — Best Start Grant, Scottish Government — Social Security