Best Start Foods (Scotland)

Eligibility for Best Start Foods

A pregnant woman or a parent with a child under 3 may be eligible for Best Start Foods if they meet certain benefit or income requirements.

Families receiving benefits

A person may qualify if they (or their partner) receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income‑related Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit

See the Scottish government guidance on who should apply.

Families with no recourse to public funds

Some families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may be able to access Best Start Foods through a separate eligibility route.

To qualify, a person must:

• have at least one child under the age of 3 (pregnancy alone does not qualify)
• have a monthly income after tax of:
  • less than £2,121.02 for couples, or
  • less than £1,792.71 for a single adult
• be unable to claim public funds because of their immigration status

This may include:

• people with leave to remain with an NRPF condition
• people without lawful immigration status
• some people seeking asylum

People seeking asylum who receive asylum support may need to inform the Home Office before applying and should seek advice (for example from Migrant Help).

Further information is available in Scottish Government guidance on Best Start Foods for people with no recourse to public funds.

Page updated: 22 June 2026