If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you might qualify for Healthy Start, a government scheme that helps low-income families buy healthy food, infant formula, and vitamins.
This support can make a real difference to your family’s health, especially during pregnancy and early childhood.
What Is Healthy Start?
Healthy Start is a UK government programme offering a prepaid card that’s automatically topped up every 4 weeks. You can use it in most supermarkets and local shops to buy specific healthy foods for yourself and your children.
You can also get free vitamins for pregnancy and early years development.
What Can You Buy with a Healthy Start Card?
You’re entitled to:
- Plain liquid cow’s milk.
- Fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables.
- Fresh, dried, or tinned pulses (like beans, lentils, and peas).
- Infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.
You can also get:
- Healthy Start vitamins for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Vitamin drops for babies and children under 4.
These vitamins are specially designed to support healthy development during pregnancy and early childhood.
How Much Do You Get?
- £4.25 per week while you’re pregnant (starting from the 10th week of pregnancy).
- £8.50 per week for each baby from birth up to 1 years old.
- £4.25 per week for each child aged 1 to 4 years old.
- Payments are added automatically to your Healthy Start card every 4 weeks.
- Your payments will stop once your child turns 4 or if you’re no longer eligible for qualifying benefits.
Who Can Get Healthy Start?
You may be eligible if:
- You’re more than 10 weeks pregnant, or
- You have a child under 4 years old, and
- You (or your partner) receive one of the following:
- Universal Credit (with earnings under a set threshold).
- Income Support.
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit, unless you’re under 25).
You automatically qualify if:
- You’re under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, even if you’re not receiving benefits.
Not a British Citizen? You Might Still Qualify
If you have ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) due to your immigration status, you may still be eligible if:
- You have at least one British child under 4.
- Your household income is £408/month or less after tax.
- Your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) or Home Office letter confirms you cannot access public funds.
How to Apply (NRPF):
Email: healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk to request a paper application form.
How to Apply for Healthy Start
You can apply online if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland:
- Visit the official Healthy Start GOV.UK website.
- You’ll need your National Insurance number, benefit details, and your child’s date of birth.
- Once approved, your Healthy Start card will arrive by post.
- It’s topped up every 4 weeks automatically.
Live in Scotland?
If you’re in Scotland, apply for Best Start Foods instead, a similar support scheme tailored for Scottish residents.
Why Healthy Start Matters
Healthy Start can make a real difference for you and your family. It helps you:
- Worry less about food costs.
- Eat well during pregnancy and your child’s early years.
- Support your family’s health and development for the long term.
Even small steps, like adding more fruit, vegetables, or vitamin drops, can have a big impact.
If you’re eligible, Healthy Start is free, easy to apply for, and a simple way to give your family a healthy boost. Don’t miss out, check if you qualify and apply today.
People Also Ask
You may qualify if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Child Tax Credit. Those under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant automatically qualify. Eligibility also applies to some families with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ under specific income limits.
You can apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk using your National Insurance number, benefit details, and your child’s date of birth. Once approved, your Healthy Start card will arrive by post and be topped up every 4 weeks.
You can use your card to buy plain cow’s milk, infant formula, fruit, vegetables, and pulses like beans and lentils.
Pregnant individuals receive £4.25 per week from the 10th week of pregnancy. Children from birth to 1 year old receive £8.50 per week, and children aged 1 to 4 receive £4.25 per week.
Yes, pregnant or breastfeeding women can receive free vitamins, and children under 4 are entitled to vitamin drops. These contain essential vitamins A, C, and D to support healthy growth and development. The vitamins are provided automatically as part of the scheme.
No, the card cannot be used to withdraw cash or get cashback.
Yes, Lidl accepts the Healthy Start card in stores that sell eligible items and accepts Mastercard.
The new Healthy Start card is a prepaid Mastercard replacing the old paper vouchers. It is topped up every 4 weeks and can be used in participating shops to buy approved healthy foods and milk. It is available to eligible pregnant individuals and families with children under 4.
No, the scheme does not monitor individual purchases. However, transaction data may be used for fraud prevention and to analyse scheme uptake. Users are responsible for buying only eligible items with the card.
To get free vitamins, call the NHS Healthy Start helpline at 0118 338 5810. You will need your baby’s due date, a birth certificate, NHS number, and National Insurance number. Vitamins are provided for both pregnant/breastfeeding individuals and children under 4.
Useful Resources:
Cost of Living Support Available:
- Household Support Fund (England)
- Cost of Living Payments
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
- Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
- Council Tax Reduction
Other Support Available: