Published 23 June 2026. Checked against the NHS Healthy Start service on the day of publication. Healthy Start covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland runs its own Best Start Foods scheme.
This is one of the most quietly overlooked pots of help for families with little ones, and tens of thousands of eligible families never claim a penny of it. If you are pregnant or have a child under 4 and money is tight, the NHS Healthy Start scheme tops up a prepaid card for food and milk every four weeks, and throws in free vitamins on top. Here is exactly how it works in 2026 and how to claim.
What is Healthy Start?
Healthy Start gives you a prepaid card that is automatically topped up every four weeks. You can spend it on plain milk, infant formula, fruit, vegetables and pulses, at most shops that sell them. Alongside the card you can get free Healthy Start vitamins for pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children. It is not a loan and it does not affect your other benefits.
How much do you get? (2026 rates)
- £4.65 a week from the 10th week of pregnancy
- £9.30 a week for a baby from birth to 1 year old
- £4.65 a week for each child aged between 1 and 4
That adds up to around £483 a year for a baby under 1, and about £242 a year during pregnancy or for each 1 to 4 year old. For a family with a new baby, that is real money towards the weekly shop.
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Who qualifies?
You usually qualify if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, and you (or your family) receive a qualifying benefit, such as:
- Universal Credit, where your family take-home pay is £408 or less a month
- Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (in certain circumstances and under the income threshold)
There is one extra route worth knowing: if you are under 18 and pregnant, you can claim even if you are not on any benefits.
Do not miss the free vitamins
Being on Healthy Start also entitles you to free Healthy Start vitamins: vitamin drops for babies and young children, and tablets for pregnant and breastfeeding women. These are recommended for all young children anyway, so claiming them free is an easy win. Ask your midwife, health visitor or local pharmacy where to collect them.
How to apply
You apply online at healthystart.nhs.uk. It takes about ten minutes, you do not need any documents to hand, and the card is posted to you once you are approved. If your circumstances change, the card simply updates at the next top-up.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I use the card?
At most shops that sell the eligible items, including big supermarkets, many local shops and some pharmacies. You just pay with the card like any other.
I am on Universal Credit but I work part-time. Can I still get it?
Yes, as long as your family take-home pay is £408 a month or less. Working does not automatically rule you out.
I live in Scotland. Is there an equivalent?
Yes. Scotland runs Best Start Foods, which works in a similar way. Search for it on mygov.scot.
Claiming what you are owed? Pair this with our guides to every UK childcare funding option and pupil premium and free school meals, or browse the family life hub.
Sources
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