Healthy Start

Health Start Scheme

Healthy Start Card

If you're pregnant or have children under four and you are on certain benefits you might be able to get help to buy food and milk with a Healthy Start Card.

To find out more about the scheme go to: The new Healthy Start Scheme – Get help to buy food and milk

What you'll get:

£4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week
£8.50 each week for children from birth to 1
£4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4

Your money will stop when your child is 4, or if you no longer receive benefits.

If you are under 18 and pregnant you can sign up for Healthy Start even if you are not on any benefits. Find out more about whether you're eligible for Healthy Start here

You can spend the money on your Healthy Start card on fruit, vegetables and milk. You can also spend them on infant formula milk but only if it is the type of milk that babies can have from birth. Most of the big supermarkets and some of your local shops accept them.

Go to the Healthy Start website www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply and click Apply Now to get started online or follow the instructions on how to apply by email or phone.

Where can I use the Healthy Start Card?

Health Food

You can use your card in most places that sell milk, infant formula, fruit, and vegetables. This includes:

supermarkets
convenience stores
grocery stores
drug stores and pharmacies
markets
dairy products stores
news dealers and newsstands
freezer and locker meat provisioners (such as butcher shops)
petrol stations

They must display a Mastercard® logo.

Find Out If You're Eligible

Use this quick and easy Healthy Start Eligibility Calculator to find out if you can receive Healthy Start vouchers

Healthy Start Vitamins

You can get Healthy Start vitamins at some of our Children’s Centres and other places in the community

If you get Healthy Start prepaid card you will also get free vitamins. If you have a Healthy Start Card you'll need to show your card to get your free vitamins.

If you don’t qualify for Healthy Start you can still buy Healthy Start vitamins at a discounted price at the Children’s Centre.

vitamins for when you are pregnant or breastfeeding
vitamin drops for babies and children

Find a Children’s Centre near you at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/early-years-and-childcare/childrens-centre-service/find-your-nearest-childrens-centre-service-team or visit the Healthy Start Vitamins services location finder

Or phone the free phone number 0300 500 80 80

Who should take Healthy Start Vitamins?

All pregnant women
All breastfeeding women
Babies from 6 months old (who are having less than 500ml (one pint) of infant formula a day)
Children aged 1 to 4

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for everyone, but especially for the groups listed above, as it helps to keep bones and muscles strong and healthy. Healthy Start vitamins include Vitamin D - if you choose not to take Healthy Start vitamins we recommend you and your family takes a Vitamin D supplement.