Best Start

Best Start Foods is replacing Healthy Start Food Vouchers

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child. 

Best Start Foods is a prepaid card that can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit, if one of the following applies to you. For example: 

  • you're pregnant 
  • you have a child under 3 

Best Start Foods is a prepaid card that you can use to buy healthy foods during pregnancy and for children under 3. You can use the card in shops and online to purchase: 

  • Plain cow's milk
  • Fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
  • Fresh or dried pulses like lentils, beans, peas and barley
  • Fresh eggs
  • First stage infant formula
You can find out more about how you can use your Best Start Foods card in shops.
 
The Best Start Foods card is used in the same way as a contactless bank card - a PIN number will be issued with the card which will also let you check your balance at cash machines or online.
 

Who is entitled to Best Start Foods card?

You can apply as soon as you know you are pregnant up until your child's 3rd birthday AND if you get:  
  • Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
  • Child Tax Credit (with a family income of £16,190 or less per year)
  • Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit (with an income from work of less than £7,320 per year)
  • Universal Credit (with a family take home pay of £610 or less per month)
  • Housing Benefit (you and your partner's joint income from working must be less than £311 per week)
  • Pension Credit

Women under 18 qualify regardless of income.

Even if you are in employment, you may still be entitled to Best Start Foods card. 

 

How much is paid into the Best Start Foods card? 

This is for every child that the family has up until their 3rd birthday:
  • During pregnancy you will receive £4.50 per week (£18.00 paid into the card every four weeks)
  • Children under 1 year get £9.00 per week (£36.00 paid into the card every four weeks) 
  • Children aged 1-3 years get £4.50 (£18.00 paid into the card every four weeks) 

 

How to apply for Best Start Foods card

You can apply by: 
  • Calling this free number - 0800 182 2222
  • You can also visit mygov.scot/pregnancy-and-baby-payment and complete the form online or print a copy
    (details of the address to send it and how to access a pre-paid envelope are on the form)
This form is also available in over 100 languages.
 
Reminders about the Best Start Pregnancy and Baby payments will then be sent at various trigger points (such as the birth of your baby) to ensure you apply for these.

Further information

Emma Williams, Advanced Public Health Practitioner, emma.williams2@nhs.scot 

Published: 06/10/2023 16:09