Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods rates updated from April 2026

The rates for the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods in Scotland have been updated from April 2026, according to the independent benefits information service Entitledto¹. The figures cover the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, the Early Learning Payment, the School Age Payment and Best Start Foods, all of which are administered by Social Security Scotland¹.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a one-off payment to help with the costs of a new baby. From April 2026 it is £796.65 for a first child and £398.35 for each subsequent child¹. Applications can be made from the end of the 24th week of pregnancy until the baby is 6 months old, and the payment is not awarded automatically¹.

The Early Learning Payment and the School Age Payment are each £331.95 from April 2026¹. The Early Learning Payment is paid when a child is between 2 years and 3 years 6 months old, while the School Age Payment is paid in the year the child is old enough to begin primary school¹. Where a family already receives Scottish Child Payment, both are paid automatically; otherwise a separate application is needed, and for the School Age Payment this must be made before the annual closing date¹.

Best Start Foods is loaded onto a payment card to help buy healthy foods such as milk, fruit and vegetables. From April 2026 it is £44.80 every 4 weeks while a baby is under 1 year old, and £22.40 every 4 weeks for children aged 1 to 3¹. Applications can be made from the end of the 24th week of pregnancy until the child turns 3¹.

The five family payments from Social Security Scotland include the Scottish Child Payment, which is £28.20 per week per child from April 2026 and is paid every four weeks¹. It is available only in Scotland, is paid for each child under 16, and does not affect any other UK or Scottish Government benefits¹. Claimants must be receiving one of a set of qualifying benefits, including Universal Credit or waiting for a first payment, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, and can apply whether in work or not¹. Only one person can claim for each child, usually the main carer, normally the same person who receives Child Benefit¹.

Why it matters for households

These are the amounts paid to families in Scotland from April 2026, so the change affects the value of each payment rather than who is eligible. The Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment, School Age Payment and Best Start Foods all require an application, except where a family already receives Scottish Child Payment, in which case the Early Learning and School Age Payments are paid automatically¹. Best Start Foods runs until the child turns 3, and the Pregnancy and Baby Payment can only be claimed until the baby is 6 months old¹. The Scottish Child Payment continues at £28.20 per week per child and is not counted against other benefits¹. Further detail on having a baby and on Best Start support is available.

What happens next

The rates apply from April 2026¹. Applications for all five family payments can be made using a single form on mygov.scot or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222¹. The School Age Payment must be claimed before the annual closing date where a family is not already receiving Scottish Child Payment¹.