Best Start Foods

This publication provides information on applications and payments for Best Start Grant from 10 December 2018 to 31 May 2020 and on applications and payments for Best Start Foods from 12 August 2019 to 31 May 2020.

Key figures

• From 10 December 2018 to 31 May 2020, 159,975 applications for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods were received. Out of these applications, we estimate that 60,040 (38%) were for Pregnancy and Baby Payment, 53,040 (33%) were for Early Learning Payment, 27,230 (17%) were for School Age Payment, and 63,540 (40%) for Best Start Foods payment. Applications for multiple payments are counted multiple times within these figures.
• In total, 151,230 applications had been processed by 31 May 2020. Of these, around two thirds (99,445, 66%) were authorised for at least one Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods payment type.
• In total, £29.7 million had been paid to clients by 31 May 2020 for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. Of this, £11.8 million (40%) of payments was for Pregnancy and Baby Payment, £8.7 million (29%) was for Early Learning Payment and £4.6 million (16%) was for School Age Payment. Overall, £4.6 million (15%) was paid for Best Start Foods by the end of May 2020.