NHS Healthy Start
Advice: Money, Housing & Work · Public Service · National service
Free prepaid card to buy fruit, vegetables, milk and infant formula, plus free vitamins, for pregnant women and families with children under 4 on low incomes. Available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The NHS Healthy Start scheme gives a prepaid card topped up every 4 weeks for eligible pregnant women and families with children under 4. Current rates are 4.65 pounds a week from the 10th week of pregnancy, 9.30 pounds a week for babies under 1 and 4.65 pounds a week for children aged 1-3. The card buys plain liquid cows milk, fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables, pulses and infant formula based on cows milk. Free Healthy Start vitamins for pregnancy and vitamin drops for under-4s are also available.
Contact
Phone: 0300 330 7010
Website: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk
Opening hours: Online application 24/7. Phone helpline Mon-Fri
Who it's for
Who they help: Pregnant women and families with young children on low incomes
Eligibility: Pregnant women 10+ weeks or families with children under 4 receiving certain benefits (UC, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit)
Not suitable for: This scheme is for pregnant people who are at least 10 weeks along, or families with children under 4, who receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support or Pension Credit. If you are not on one of these benefits, or your child is 4 or older, you will not qualify.
Information last verified June 2026. Printed from https://www.socialprescriber.co.uk/charities/nhs-healthy-start