Have you applied for the Best Start Grant?

If you are pregnant, or have pre-school children, and you’re in receipt of benefits, then the Best Start Grant is something you should know about.

It’s being introduced by Social Security Scotland, as financial support to low income families – those who work, and those who don’t – during a child’s early years.

It is made up of 3 separate payments:

• Pregnancy and Baby Payment

A payment of £600 for the first baby and £300 for subsequent children – or a £300 supplement for a multiple birth. To help with costs of new baby equipment, or expenses during pregnancy

Can be claimed from when an expectant mum reaches 24 weeks pregnant, up until the baby is six months old

Applications can be taken where a baby is born prematurely before 24 weeks

Where this is a change of responsibility for a child during the first year of life (it is not the mother or her partner applying) applications can be taken up to 12 months of age

• Early Learning Payment

A payment of £250 per child, payable from the day of their 2^nd birthday up until six months after their 3^rd birthday. To help with costs during nursery and early learning years

• School Age Payment

A payment of £250 per child, payable from June 1^st in the year the child would normally start school, until February 28^th in the year following the date of normally starting school. If you plan to defer your child’s starting date, you cannot defer the payment

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment will replace the Sure Start Maternity Grant in Scotland.

To be eligible, claimants need to be on one of these benefits:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance

Income-related Employment Support Allowance

Pension Credit

Any Tax Credit

Housing Benefit

Universal Credit

Mothers under the age of 18 do not need to be on a qualifying benefit. Mothers who are 18 or 19 and in full-time education or training do not need to receive a qualifying benefit – if their parent or carer still receives benefits for them.

Applications for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment can be taken from 8am on December 10, 2018. The Early Learning and School Age Payments will be available before Summer 2019.

If you didn’t get the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, you may be eligible for the subsequent payments, if your child is a little older.

Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth contacting Social Security Scotland via their Freephone helpline on 0800 182 222. Or you can apply online at https://www.mygov.scot/pregnancy-and-baby-payment/