Healthy Start (Easy Read)

This guide was created by the NHS.

You can get £4.25 every week.

This is to help you buy:

• cow's milk

• fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables

• infant formula milk

• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses 

You will get a prepaid card to use in lots of shops that sell healthy food and milk. 

You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins. 

Anyone who is under 18 and pregnant can apply. 

If you are over 18, you must be:

• at least 10 weeks pregnant or

• have at least one child under 4 

If you are over 18, you must be getting any of these benefits:

• Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)

• Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and over 10 weeks pregnant

• you or your partner get Working Tax Credit run-on only 

Visit the Healthy Start website.

Fill in the online application form. 

Receive your prepaid card in the post. 

Activate your card by calling 0300 330 2090 and get your PIN. 

Your card will be topped up with your payment every 4 weeks. 

If you cannot apply online, you can call the helpline on 0300 330 7010.  

Your call will be charged at a local rate. 

You can use your card in most shops that let you pay by card. 

Shop for healthy food and milk in any shop that accepts Mastercard® card payments.

You can use your card to collect free Healthy Start vitamins. 

Collect the vitamins at your nearest Family Hub.  

Show your Healthy Start card to Family Hub staff. 

They can support you with your application.

They can offer wider family support.

To talk to someone about NHS Healthy Start, call 0300 330 7010. 

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. 

Your call will be charged at a local rate. 

Email NHS Healthy Start: [email protected] 

For help with your prepaid card, call 0300 330 2090.  

You can:

• activate your card

• find out your PIN

• check how much money is on your card

• tell us your card is lost or stolen 

Open all day every day. 

Your call will be charged at a local rate.

For information about NHS Healthy Start or to apply, visit the Healthy Start website.