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Everyday Life · 2025/26 rates

Healthy Start Vouchers

Healthy Start is an NHS scheme for low-income pregnant women and families with children under 4. You get a prepaid card topped up weekly, plus free vitamins.

Weekly value

£8.50

≈ £37/month, £442/year.

Breakdown

  • Pregnancy
    £4
  • 1 child(ren) aged 1–4
    £4
  • Weekly total
    £9

How we calculated your result

£4.25/week during pregnancy, £8.50/week for each child under 1, and £4.25/week for each child aged 1–4. Loaded automatically onto a prepaid card every 4 weeks.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Must be pregnant (10+ weeks) or have a child under 4.
  • On Universal Credit with earnings under £408/month, or other qualifying benefit.
  • Under-18 pregnant women qualify regardless of income.
  • Apply at healthystart.nhs.uk.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Use it or lose it

    Balance not used within 16 weeks is removed from the card. Spend regularly.

  • ⚠ What you can buy

    Plain fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and veg; plain cow’s milk; infant formula; pulses. Not juice, smoothies, or flavoured milk.

  • ⚠ Free vitamins

    Healthy Start also entitles you to free vitamins from NHS clinics — many parents forget to ask.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I use the card?
Most major supermarkets, local shops and pharmacies that accept Mastercard prepaid.
Does the card show I’m on benefits?
No — it looks like a normal prepaid card.
What if my UC income changes?
If it goes over £408/month you stop getting top-ups. Reapply if income drops back.

Apply via healthystart.nhs.uk — never via third-party sites. The NHS does not charge.

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