Scotland - Apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

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Procedure

Apply Online

1. To Apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, the applicant has to make the application online via the following link
2. The applicant has to click “Start Now” to start the application.
3. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form.
4. Next the applicant has to attach all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. Review the application and click “Submit”
6. The fee for this procedure is free of cost.
7. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the particular circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
8. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
9. The applicant can check the status of the application by simply logging in.
10. The entire process can be completed within 7 – 10 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Apply by Mail

1. To Apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, the applicant has to mail the application to the Social Security office link
2. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer. Or the applicant can download the application form from the following link
3. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
4. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
6. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the Social Security office.
7. The mailing address are given in the “Office Locations and Contacts” section of this page.
8. The fee for this procedure is free of cost.
9. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
10. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the particular circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
11. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
12. Once the authority approves of the application, an email will be sent concerning the confirmation of the grant.
13. The entire process can be completed within 7 – 10 or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Apply By Phone

1. To Apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, the applicant has to call Social Security Office - 0800 182 2222
2. Then the applicant has to provide the details as requested by the authority.
3. The details are mentioned in Required Information section of this page.
4. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
5. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the particular circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
6. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
7. Once the authority approves of the application, an email will be sent concerning the confirmation of the grant.
8. The entire process can be completed within 7 – 10 or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

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Required Documents

• Completed application form link

For Best Start Grant:

• Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport
• Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or council tax bill
• Proof of income, such as a wage slip or benefit statement
• Proof of pregnancy, such as a MATB1 form from your midwife or doctor (for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment)
• Evidence of your child's date of birth, such as a birth certificate or child benefit award letter (for the Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment)

For Best Start Foods:

• Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport
• Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or council tax bill
• Proof of income, such as a wage slip or benefit statement
• Evidence of pregnancy or a child under three years old, such as a MATB1 form or birth certificate

Office Locations & Contacts

SOCIAL SECURITY SCOTLAND
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods
PO Box 10300
DUNDEE
DD1 9FU
For prepaid paper envelope - 0800 182 2222
Contact details link

Eligibility

The applicant may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if all of the following apply:

• The applicant must live in Scotland
• The applicant and his partner are getting certain benefits or tax credits
• The applicant or his partner are pregnant or is the main person looking after a baby or child who's the right age for a payment

Fees

• The for this procedure is free of cost

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

• Application form link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The entire process can be completed within 7- 10 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from 
external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, 
revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is 
displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Name of the applicant
• Address
• Town
• County
• Country Postcode
• Email
• Telephone
• National Insurance number
• Bank, credit union or building society account details
• Details of partner, their name and date of birth
• details of any children you have or care for

Need for the Document

• The Best Start Grant is a financial support package that provides low-income families in Scotland with payments during key stages in their children's early years.
• The Best Start Foods is a scheme that provides eligible pregnant women and families with children under three years old with vouchers to buy healthy food.

Information which might help

• For more information link

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link

Others

The Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are two initiatives launched by the Scottish Government to support families and children in Scotland.

• The Best Start Grant includes three different payments: the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, the Early Learning Payment, and the School Age Payment. These payments can help with the costs of items such as clothes, food, and other essentials.
• The Best Start Foods grant can be used to buy a variety of fresh, frozen, and tinned fruits and vegetables, as well as milk and infant formula. This program aims to help families provide healthy meals for their children and encourage good eating habits from an early age.