England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Healthy Start
Last verified: 4 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
Help to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins if you are pregnant or have a child under 4 and you get certain benefits. Scotland has Best Start Foods instead.
How much you could get
The amount depends on your circumstances. We do not publish a figure unless it is tied to a tax year and an official source.
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You usually need to be pregnant or have a child under 4, live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit (with an income limit) or Pension Credit.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- You are pregnant or have a child under 4.
Check if Healthy Start may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
Healthy Start is not used in Scotland. If you do not get a qualifying benefit, you are unlikely to qualify.
Where you live
Healthy Start applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you live in Scotland, see Best Start Foods.
Browse benefits in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.
How to claim
- Check you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Scotland has Best Start Foods instead. Healthy Start will not accept a Scottish address. Official page
- Apply on the NHS Healthy Start service. The claim is not made through Universal Credit. Use the official Healthy Start website linked from GOV.UK. Official page
- You usually need a qualifying benefit and to be pregnant or have a child under 4. Income limits on Universal Credit apply. The official page has the live thresholds — we do not restate a figure that can change.
- Use the card only in the way the scheme describes. The prepaid card is for specified food, milk and vitamins. The official site lists what you can buy.
Official sources
- Get help to buy food and milk (the Healthy Start scheme) — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all children and pregnancy benefits.
Source: NHS / Department of Health and Social Care. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.