Best Start Food benefits change set to benefit thousands
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CHANGES to a key Scottish Government benefit will see an estimated 20,000 people able to access money to help with the cost of food shopping for the first time.
Best Start Foods, which was paid to more than 46,000 people in 2022/23, is money every four weeks to help pay for healthy food from pregnancy until a child turns three.
Delivered on a pre-paid chip and pin card it can be used in most stores and online.
Before the changes which come into force, it was paid to people who receive qualifying benefits as long as their incomes did not pass certain limits.
Those income thresholds have now been removed in a move which means thousands more will be able to successfully apply for a card.
Other rule changes have made it simpler for eligible young parents to receive the benefit.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is an important day for the Scottish Government in terms of our mission to tackle poverty and protect people from harm.
“In 2024-25 we are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure, providing support to over 1.2 million people.
“This is £1.1 billion more than the UK government gives to the Scottish Government for social security, demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty.
“Making this investment allows us to take measures like the one which comes into force today - giving critical help with buying healthy foods to those who need it most.
“It will further benefit the whole economy when cards are used and the cash is spent.”
