NHS Healthy Start

What is NHS Healthy Start?

Money to buy healthy food and milk, plus free Healthy Start vitamins.

Is it for me?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have responsibility for a child under 4, you may be able to get support through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

How does it work?

If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an NHS Healthy Start card. Money will be added to your card every 4 weeks. 

What can I buy?

You can use your card to buy:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect free Healthy Start vitamins, please see the free vitamins section.

Check out the other tabs for more information.

People on the NHS Healthy Start scheme are also entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins.

These include:

• Healthy Start vitamins to support you during pregnancy or breastfeeding until your child turns 1
• vitamin drops for babies and young children from birth to age 4

You will get most of the vitamins you need from food. However, young children and babies may not get enough vitamins A and D, even if they’re eating well. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you may not get enough vitamin A, vitamin D or folic acid.

Healthy Start vitamin products provide the correct amount of vitamins recommended by the government.

The vitamin drops for babies and children contain vitamins A, C and D. The vitamin tablets for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding contain folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D. 

For more information visit the NHS Healthy Start website.  

In West Sussex, Healthy Start vitamins are available from Best Start Family Hubs. 

You’ll need to show your NHS Healthy Start card when you collect your free vitamins.

The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances.

You could get:

• £4.65 each week after the 10th week of pregnancy
• £9.30 each week for a child from birth to age 1
• £4.65 each week for a child aged between 1 and 4

Money will be added to your card every 4 weeks. You can use your card in most places that sell healthy food and accept Mastercard® payments.

Payments stop when your child turns 4 or you are no longer eligible for the scheme.

You could be eligible for NHS Healthy Start if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and receive:

• Universal Credit (if your family’s monthly take-home pay - also called earned income - is £408 or less from employment) OR
• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)

You will also be eligible if you are under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, even if you don’t receive any benefits.

Check if you’re eligible and find the correct way to apply on the Healthy Start website.

The way you apply depends on your circumstances.

If you receive Universal Credit, you can apply online for NHS Healthy Start. 

You’ll need your:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• baby’s due date, if you’re pregnant
• Universal Credit statement

The personal details you provide must match the details on your Universal Credit claim. Check that your address is up to date and that all your children are named and verified on your claim before applying. 

Applying online usually takes about 5 minutes, and you'll get an instant decision.

If you receive Pension Credit or you’re under 18 and pregnant, you can apply by phone or email. 

To request an application form:

• call 0300 330 7010 - the phone line is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
• email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

You could also be eligible if you are not a British citizen but your child is. You can get Healthy Start if all the following are true:

• you have at least 1 British child under 4 years old
• your family earns £408 or less per month after tax
• you cannot claim ‘public funds’ (for example, benefits) – either because of your immigration status or because you do not have an immigration status

To request an application form, email: healthystartNRPF@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

If you need help with your application, you can:

• call the NHS Healthy Start helpline on 0300 330 7010 and ask for a translation service if you need one
• ask your midwife or health visitor for help
• visit your local Best Start Family Hub
• use a free public computer and if needed, you can get support to get online from a Digital Volunteer at a West Sussex library. Appointments can be booked by contacting your local library. 

Will NHS Healthy Start affect my other benefits?

No, NHS Healthy Start payments will not affect your other benefits. You can apply for NHS Healthy Start while continuing to receive any other benefits to which you’re entitled.

What happens if my circumstances change?

Tell NHS Healthy Start if your circumstances change, for example if there’s a change to your benefits or contact details, or if you need to add a pregnancy or child to your claim. Changes could affect your payment amount or eligibility for the scheme.

How will my personal information be used?

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) delivers the NHS Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Read the Healthy Start privacy notice for full details about how your information will be collected and used.

The NHSBSA provides resources to help health professionals and organisations promote NHS Healthy Start.

Resources include:

• posters and leaflets
• digital display materials
• email banners
• stickers
• social media content
• materials in English and other languages

You can find resources, templates and promotional materials to help raise awareness of the scheme in the NHS Healthy Start Communications toolkit.

The NHSBSA has recorded a webinar for healthcare professionals and supporting organisations to find out more about how NHS Healthy Start can support pregnant women and families with young children. It covers eligibility, how to apply, payments and free vitamins, plus resources to help you raise awareness of the scheme.   

Professionals and applicants may also find the Healthy Start application (YouTube video) useful.