Scottish Government Offers Over £2,600 Support for New Families
Financial aid available through Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods, and Scottish Child Payment to ease costs for expectant parents and new babies.
By Kirsty Lennox
••3 min read
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Generic image of a baby's hand holding a parent's finger, with a soft focus background.
The Scottish Government is providing over £2,600 in financial support for expectant parents and families with newborns, aiming to ensure children receive the best start in life.
Families receiving Universal Credit or certain other benefits may be eligible for substantial financial assistance during pregnancy and their child's first year. This support is designed to help manage the costs associated with welcoming a new baby.
Expectant parents can apply for the Best Start Foods pre-paid card from the moment they confirm their pregnancy, assisting with the purchase of healthy food. Additionally, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, a one-off sum, can be applied for from the 24th week of pregnancy to cover essential items like prams, toys, or baby clothes. Once the baby is born, Scottish Child Payment is available to help with ongoing costs of raising a child.
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"Welcoming a new baby is a special and exciting time, and families should have the support they need as they prepare for the arrival of their child. This package of support, worth thousands of pounds for eligible households, provides extra help from pregnancy through to a baby’s first birthday and beyond. Backing families in those vital early months is central to our mission to eradicate child poverty, helping parents provide the opportunities every child deserves and giving them the best possible start in life."
Danielle, a mother caring for her 7-month-old baby alone, found significant relief through these schemes. Facing severe financial pressures that led her to consider selling her home, she benefited from Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods, which eased her food shopping bills and ensured she and her baby had enough to eat, negating the need for a food bank.
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"Evidence from across the Citizens Advice network shows the important role that pregnancy and early years payments can play in helping families through periods of financial insecurity and change. Support such as Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment can help ease financial pressures, enabling families to afford the essentials and support children to get the best possible start in life. Local Citizens Advice Bureaux are there to provide free, confidential and expert advice that's available online, over the phone or in-person to help people apply for the support they're entitled to and make sure they don't miss out on payments that can make a real difference to their family."
The estimated total value of support, based on a family expecting their second child and receiving all eligible payments from early pregnancy until the child's first birthday, is £2,643.15. This includes payments from Best Start Foods during pregnancy (£196.00) and the first year (£582.40), the Pregnancy and Baby Payment (£398.35), and Scottish Child Payment (£1,466.40).
The total amount available varies based on individual and family circumstances, eligibility criteria, and application timing. For more information on eligibility and applications for Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, visit mygov.scot. Details for Scottish Child Payment are also available on mygov.scot.
