If you’re pregnant or have young children on a low income, two supports can take real pressure off the food bill: Healthy Start (a prepaid card for milk, fruit, veg and formula) and Free School Meals. Both are free to claim and badly under-claimed.
Quick facts
- Healthy Start
- A prepaid card (weekly amount, more for under-1s)
- Who
- Pregnant, or a child under 4, on a qualifying benefit
- Free School Meals
- For school-age children in qualifying families
- Cost
- Free to apply for both
Healthy Start
- You get a prepaid card topped up regularly to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables, pulses and infant formula.
- You qualify if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and you (or your family) get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit (within the income rules) or certain others.
- Under-1s get a higher weekly amount. You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.
Free School Meals
Benefits-based Free School Meals are for children whose families receive a qualifying benefit. Apply through your local council (or the school). Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own versions.
How to apply
Healthy Start
Apply online through the official NHS Healthy Start service — you’ll need your details and benefit information.
Free School Meals
Apply through your local council’s website (search "[council] free school meals"), or ask the school office.
Re-check if your situation changes
Starting or stopping a benefit, or a new pregnancy, can change what you’re entitled to.
Common questions
Who qualifies for Healthy Start?
What can I buy with the card?
Should I apply for Free School Meals if infants already get them?
What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Rules, rates and eligibility change and differ by country — always confirm the current details with the relevant official body before you act.
Keep going
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