Healthy Start card

How the scheme works, what you'll get, who can apply, and how to apply.

Healthy Start card

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of 4, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll receive a Healthy Start card with money on it to spend in shops. 

You can use your card to buy:

  • plain liquid cow's milk
  • fresh, frozen, and 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:

  • vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
  • Healthy Start vitamins. You may be able to get free Healthy Start vitamins even if you can't claim a Healthy Start card. Check your eligibility for Healthy Start vitamins.

For more information, and to apply, visit the NHS Healthy Start website

Applying for a Healthy Start card 

To find out if you can apply for a Healthy Start card, visit the How to Apply web page on the Healthy Start website

Get help with your application  

If you need help completing your application, visit your local:

If you don't have access to a computer or the internet, please visit your local library.

Give us feedback on this page