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Eligibility

You can apply online if:

  • you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old
  • your family’s monthly ‘take-home pay’ (also called ‘earned income’) is £408 or less from employment

Universal Credit Claims

The details you use to apply for Healthy Start must match the details on your Universal Credit claim.

Go to your Universal Credit account (opens in a new tab) to check:

  • your address details, including your postcode
  • all of your children are named and verified on your Universal Credit claim

How to apply

If you are eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme, you can apply online. To apply, you will need your:

  • name
  • address
  • date of birth
  • National Insurance number
  • baby’s due date (if you’re pregnant)
  • benefit award letter if you’re over 18 (you must enter the same information that’s on this letter)

Make sure that your details are up to date with DWP – you may wish to contact them to check or update your details before you apply.

Applying by email or phone

You can apply by email or phone if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant, or have at least one child under 4 years old, and get either:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)

You can also apply by email or phone if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and either:

  • under 18 years old and not getting any benefits
  • getting Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply by either:

Phone lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Find out about call charges (opens in a new tab).

If you’re not a British citizen but your child is

You might be able to get Healthy Start depending on your immigration status. You can get a Healthy Start card if all the following apply:

Your biometric residence permit (BRP) or your online immigration status will say if you cannot claim public funds. You might also have a letter from the Home Office about it.

To get your Healthy Start card, ask for an application form via email. Only use this email address if you think you cannot claim public funds because of your immigration status.

If you meet the eligibility criteria above and would like to apply for Healthy Start, please email Healthystartclaim@dhsc.gov.uk and DHSC will be in touch with you to discuss the application process. 

Please contact Healthystartclaim@dhsc.gov.uk if you have any other queries.