Praise for Scottish baby grant scheme that helps new and expectant parents

Those who qualify will receive £600 for first child

A new payment to help cover the costs of having children in Scotland has been hailed by a group of Fife parents.

The application process for the new Best Start Grant opened yesterday alongside a special event held at the Tryst Community Centre in Dunfermline.

New and expectant parents were invited to fill in their forms for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment with many hoping to receive the cash in the run up to Christmas.

The new Scotland-wide scheme replaces the Sure Start Maternity Grant which was a one-off payment of £500.

The new benefit means eligible families will receive a payment of £600 for their first child and £300 for all subsequent children.

The application window has also been extended under the new system with individuals being invited to apply from 24 weeks into their pregnancy, up until the child is six months old.

Keira Baillie, a mother-of-one, is now able to look forward to her first Christmas with five-month-old son Harvey.

The 18-year-old, who will receive £600, said: “As a single mother, it’ll mean a lot because then I can get more for Christmas for Harvey.

“And as a single mother, money’s quite tight so it’ll just be great.”

Another mum who attended the event was Rebecca McHale, 24, with her 15-week-old son Caleb Frame.

She hopes that her £300 will help pay for a new cot for her growing child.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is one of three benefits included in the grant.

Social Security Scotland hope to roll out the Early Learning Payment and the School Age Payment by summer 2019.

Around 29,000 payments are expected to be made annually at a total cost of £12.1 million by 2020.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “If you are about to or have recently had a baby – I would encourage you to check if you are eligible and apply.

“The Best Start Grant is different from the previous UK Government scheme.

“There is no cap on the number of children it can support, meaning babies born in the last six months who already have a big brother or sister will now be eligible for a payment, and the eligibility and window application have also been increased.

“This extra money could make a real difference for you and your baby at what is a wonderful time but one that I know can also be expensive.”

Picture: Rick Booth. Celebrating yesterday were Amy Anderson and baby Brody, 5 months, Keira Baillie and Harvey, 5 months and Rebecca McHale and Caleb Frame, 4 months.