Website of the UK government

Who is eligible for Healthy Start?

You may qualify if you’re pregnant and/or have at least one child under four years old and your family gets any of the following:

or

Please note - Working Tax Credit run-on is the Working Tax Credit you receive in the four weeks immediately after you have stopped working for 16 hours or more per week

• Healthy Start scheme Opens new window
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance

What do you get?

You may be able to get vouchers worth £3.00 each that can be spent on milk, fresh fruit and vegetables or infant formula.

Pregnant women and children over one and under four years old get one voucher a week. Children under one year old get two vouchers a week.

You can also get free vitamin supplements. They're usually available from NHS clinics and health centres but your midwife or health visitor will be able to advise on local arrangements.

How to claim Healthy Start vouchers

You'll need to complete an application form and get your midwife, health visitor or registered doctor or nurse to sign it.

You can request a Healthy Start application form by calling 08701 555 455 and quoting reference HS01.

Or you can complete an application form or download a copy on the Healthy Start website.

• Apply online - Healthy Start Opens new window
• Download Healthy Start application form (PDF document, 41K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

What else you need to know

For advice about staying healthy during pregnancy, you can contact NHS Direct (England and Wales) on 0845 4647 or NHS 24 (Scotland) on 08454 24 24 24.

• Healthy Start website health tips Opens new window
• Mother and infant nutrition - Department of Health Opens new window

More useful links

• Expecting or bringing up children - benefits information
• Child Trust Fund - saving your child's money
• After the birth (parents section)
• Community Care Grants