Best Start Grant
The Best Start Grant is made up of three possible payments. It provides parents or carers who get certain benefits or tax credits with financial support during the key early years of a child’s life.
- the Pregnancy and Baby Payment – a one-off payment of £600 for a first child or £300 for a second or later child. It can be paid during pregnancy or until the baby is six months old in most cases. It could help you pay for maternity clothes, a cot or a pram
- the Early Learning Payment – a one-off payment of £250 if your child is between two and three and a half years old. It could help you pay for day trips, books or toys for home learning
- the School Age Payment – a one-off payment of £250 if your child is around school starting age. It could help you pay for a new school bag, school trips or after school activities.
The three payments are grants, not loans, so you don’t have to pay them back. You can decide how you want to spend the money.
When you need to apply for the School Age Payment depends on when your child was born:
| Your child’s date of birth | When you can apply |
|---|---|
| Between 1 March 2014 and 28 February 2015 | Last date for applications was 29 February 2020 |
| Between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016 | Between 1 June 2020 and 28 February 2021 |
| Between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017 | Between 1 June 2021 and 28 February 2022 |
You cannot apply outwith these dates.
You cannot apply for the School Age Payment for a child born before 1st March 2014.
If you get the School Age Payment, you’ll get £250 for each child you can get the payment for.
To find out more and apply click here
Please also check to see if you qualify for Scottish Child Payment.
