If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. The NHS is launching a digital scheme that offers a prepaid card to those applying for Healthy Start instead of paper vouchers. This card will be automatically topped up every 4 weeks with your payment.
When can I apply for the new scheme and when will I get my prepaid card?
If you’re a Healthy Start beneficiary on the paper voucher scheme, you’ll be contacted when you can apply for the digital scheme. You'll be sent you a letter or a leaflet which you will receive within your voucher pack.
If you’re not already a Healthy Start beneficiary, but you’re receiving a qualifying benefit and are pregnant or have parental responsibility for at least one child under the age of 4, you can apply online now
When will I be told to apply if I’m already on the scheme?
The NHS is rolling out the invitation process to current Healthy Start beneficiaries on the paper voucher scheme. You’ll be contacted to let you know when and how to apply online to the new Healthy Start scheme.
What if I do not want to apply for the prepaid card?
The paper voucher scheme will be coming to an end. If you do not reapply to the new Healthy Start scheme online, your benefit for you and your children will stop. You can continue to use your paper vouchers until the expiry date printed on them.
You can still apply for the paper vouchers. However, this scheme is ending in early 2022.
Why do I have to reapply online?
The Healthy Start scheme is a new service the NHS has to ensure it has the most up to date and accurate information to process your application.
What are the benefits of moving to the prepaid card option?
The benefits of moving to the new scheme include:
- a quicker decision on your application
- you can use your card anywhere that accepts Mastercard® and sells the eligible healthy start food items
- any money you do not spend will remain on your card and can be put towards healthy food and milk in the future – this is unlike the current voucher scheme where you must spend £4.25 or over in one transaction
- the card is discreet
- you can check your balance which helps with money management
- your payment will be automatically added to your card – you do not need to wait for your vouchers to arrive in the post
Who will be eligible to apply for the new Healthy Start scheme?
The eligibility criteria have not changed. You can view the full list of eligibility on the Healthy Start website
Can I go back to the paper voucher scheme once I’ve applied online?
Once you have applied to the digital Healthy Start scheme, you cannot go back to the paper voucher scheme. The paper voucher scheme will be ending in 2022.
When will my paper vouchers stop being issued?
Your paper vouchers will stop once you have applied for the new Healthy Start scheme. Any paper vouchers that you have not used can be used up until the expiry date shown on your voucher.q
How long will it take to receive my prepaid card once I have applied online?
If your online application is successful, you should receive your prepaid card within 5 – 10 working days. If we’re getting a high volume of applications, it may take longer than this.
