Healthy Start vouchers now easier to use
The Healthy Start scheme has had its first payment increase in five years. Here's what you need to know.
The Healthy Start scheme helps pregnant women and families with young children buy healthy food and milk — and from April 2026, the payments have increased for the first time since 2021.
The value of the prepaid card has risen from £4.25 to £4.65 per week for pregnant women and children aged one to four, and from £8.50 to £9.30 per week for babies under one year old. That works out at roughly £37 a month for the first year of your baby's life, and £18 a month for each child between one and four.
How does the scheme work?
Eligible families receive a prepaid Healthy Start card, which is topped up every four weeks. You can also get free vitamins with your card. The card can be used to buy certain types of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables. Healthy Start payments are not counted as income and do not reduce Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, or any other benefit.
The paper voucher system was phased out several years ago. The card works like a prepaid Mastercard — the first time you use it you'll need your PIN, after which you can make contactless payments. When you use contactless five times in a row, or spend a combined £150, you'll need to use your PIN again for security.
What can I buy?
You can only buy specific items: plain cow's milk, first-stage infant formula, fresh, frozen, tinned or dried fruit, vegetables and pulses. Juice, smoothies and ready meals are not eligible.
Am I eligible?
If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you may be entitled to help. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.
Pregnant women under 18 qualify automatically regardless of whether they receive any qualifying benefit. For everyone else, you'll need to be receiving Universal Credit with no earned income, or total earned income of £408 or less per month for the family.
Your money will stop when your child is four years old, or if you no longer get the benefits that make you eligible.
How do I apply?
You apply online at NHS Healthy Start. The application takes around ten minutes. Once approved, your Healthy Start card will be posted to you and should arrive within four to six weeks, preloaded with your first four weeks of entitlement.
If you need help applying — for example, because you don't have internet access — you can call the Healthy Start helpline on 0300 330 7010, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Your midwife or health visitor can also assist.