Best Start Grants
Best Start Grants are available to give financial support to parents/carers who are in receipt of certain benefits. There are 3 types:
Pregnancy and Baby Payment
The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a one off payment for eligible families on certain benefits or tax credits for the first child born and a payment for the second or subsequent child. Pregnancy and Baby payment have replace the sure start maternity grants in Scotland.
Early Learning Payment
The Early Learning Payment is a payment for eligible families on certain benefits or tax credits who have a child between the ages of 2 and 3½ years. This is to help with the costs of early learning around the time your child might start nursery.
School Age Payment
The School Age Payment is a payment for eligible families on certain benefits or tax credits made around the time a child normally starts Primary 1 to help with the costs of a child starting primary school.
Best Start Foods
Best Start Foods is a scheme that provides you with a prepaid card that you can use to buy health foods if you are pregnant or have a child under 3 years and in receipt of certain benefits. The scheme replaces the UK Government's Healthy Start Vouchers in Scotland.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit for people on a low income who are in or out of work. You can apply for Universal Credit if you are aged 18 years or over and under pension age. There are some exceptions for 16/17 year olds.
Income Support
Income Support is being replaced by Universal Credit and only applicable to the person if currently in receipt of this benefit.
New Style Job Seekers Allowance
New Style Job Seekers Allowance is a benefit for people aged between 16 or over and under pension age, unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week and who are seeking work. Only applicable if you have had previous employment).
New Style Employment Support Allowance
New Style Employment Support Allowance is a benefit for adults aged between 16 or over and under pension age whose ability to work is limited through ill health or disability.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is for those with children under 16 or 16-20 with exceptions.
Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment is for families on certain benefits/tax credits to help towards the costs of looking after a child.
Child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit with a change of circumstance (new baby) - only applicable if currently in receipt of this benefit.
Child Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment is a benefit for people with disabilities or long term health problems. You must be under 16 to make a claim.
Child Winter Heating Assistance
Child Winter Heating Assistance for those receiving highest rate of Child Disability Payment.
Job Start Payment
Job Start Payment is a one off payment to help young people with the costs of starting a new job. You must be aged 16-24 years old or care leaver aged 16-25 and in receipt of specific benefits.
Carers Allowance
Carers Allowance is a benefit that can be paid to people aged 16 years or over, who regularly spend at least 35 hours per week caring for someone who is disabled.
Carers Allowance Supplement
Carers Allowance Supplement is an extra payment from the Scottish Government to carers in Scotland who are receiving a full or partial Carer's Allowance payment from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Statutory Maternity Pay
If you are an employee you may get statutory maternity pay from your employer when you stop work to have a child.
Maternity Allowance
if you can't get statutory maternity pay you may get maternity allowance.
Statutory Adoption Pay
When you take time off to adopt a child or to have a child through surrogacy arrangements, you may be eligible for statutory adoption pay.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is a benefit to help with rents costs. This is being replaced by Universal Credit.
Council Tax Reduction
Council Tax Reduction help towards your council tax bill and is only applicable where there is liability.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Discretionary Housing Payment is a benefit for people who need further financial assistance in order to meet their housing costs.
Free School Meal and Clothing Grant
The Free School Meal and Clothing Grant provides free school meals and payment towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.
Warm Home Discount
You could get money off your electricity bill for winter under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Winter Heating Payment
The Winter Heating Payment helps people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. Social Security Scotland pays this to people living in Scotland.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
Funeral Support Payment
The Funeral Support Payment is a payment available to people who are on certain benefits or tax credits, and need support to meet the cost of a funeral.
Scottish Welfare Fund - Crisis Grant
The Scottish Welfare Fund - Crisis Grant is a grant to meet an urgent need that poses an immediate and substantial risk to health and safety of a person(s). It can help provide access to essential items such as food and energy supply (electricity or gas).
Scottish Welfare Fund - Community Care Grant
The Scottish Welfare Fund - Community Care Grant is a grant to help people remain in the community or move back into the community or help ease exceptional pressure. It can help provide access to a wide range of basic household items.