Other benefits

Best Start grant

You can qualify for a Best Start grant pregnancy and baby payment if you adopt a child aged under 12 months. You must claim before the child is one year old.1Sch 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs You cannot claim a pregnancy and baby payment if you already received the payment when the child was placed for adoption (see here).2Sch 2 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs The payment is £600, or £300 if you have another child under 16 in your household.3Sch 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs

If you adopt an older child, you may be entitled to an early learning payment or a school-age payment (see here and here). You can get a Best Start grant for the child even if someone else (eg, the birth mother) has already received a Best Start grant for the child.4Sch 2, 3 and 4 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs

 

1     Sch 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »

2     Sch 2 para 1 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »

3     Sch 2 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »

4     Sch 2, 3 and 4 EYA(BSG)(S) Regs »

Health benefits

Adopting a child may mean you become entitled to health benefits. If you have adopted a child aged under three, you may be entitled to help under the Best Start food scheme payment card for fruit, vegetables and milk (see here).

Children are automatically entitled to free dental treatment and vouchers for glasses.