Healthy Start Vouchers

Healthy Start vouchers are an NHS scheme that provides financial support to pregnant people and families with young children on a low income.

Many households who qualify are currently not claiming.

What is the Healthy Start scheme?

Healthy Start provides money on a prepaid card, topped up every four weeks, which can be used in most shops that accept Mastercard.

The card can be used to buy:

• Cow’s milk
• Fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables
• Plain pulses (such as lentils and chickpeas)
• Infant formula milk

Eligible families may also be able to access free Healthy Start vitamins for pregnant people and young children.

The scheme is designed to support nutrition during pregnancy and the early years, helping to improve health outcomes for both parents and children.

How much support could I get?

From April 2026, the weekly entitlement is:

• £4.65 per week for pregnant people (from 10 weeks’ gestation)
• £9.30 per week for each child under 1 year old
• £4.65 per week for each child aged 1 to 4 years

These amounts are per child or per pregnant person so the amounts can really add up.

Payments are made automatically every four weeks onto the Healthy Start card.

Am I eligible?

You may qualify if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and are:

• At least 10 weeks pregnant, and/or
• Responsible for a child under the age of 4

and you are receiving:

• Universal Credit, with household take‑home pay of £408 or less per month, or
• Pension Credit (including the child element)

Anyone who is pregnant and under 18 is eligible regardless of benefit status.

How to apply

Applications are managed directly by the NHS.

Online:
www.healthystart.nhs.uk

By phone:
0300 330 7010

Questions? Talk to our Sustainment Team

Please note that this scheme is managed and coordinated by the NHS, but you can talk to us if you have any queries, concerns or questions. You can also refer yourself or someone else to our Tenancy Sustainment Team.