Healthy Start Payment Calculator

What the Healthy Start calculator does

NHS Healthy Start is a UK government scheme that helps lower-income families who are pregnant or have young children buy healthy food and milk, and get free vitamins. Instead of paper vouchers, eligible families receive a prepaid Healthy Start card that is topped up automatically every four weeks. The amount depends on how many people in your household qualify and their ages.

This calculator does two jobs. First, it runs a quick eligibility check based on the benefit you receive and – if you are on Universal Credit – the £408 monthly earned-income test. If you are under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, you can qualify even without a benefit. Second, for those who qualify, it estimates your weekly amount, the sum added to your card every 4 weeks, and the value over a year, using the rates that apply from April 2026. It is designed for expectant parents, new parents and carers of children under 4 who want to know what to expect before applying.

How it works

From April 2026 the Healthy Start rates are:

• £4.65 per week for each pregnant person and for each child aged 1 to under 4.
• £9.30 per week for each baby under 1 year old.

The calculator multiplies the number of people in each age band by the matching weekly rate, adds them together for your weekly total, multiplies by 4 for the amount loaded onto your card each top-up, and by 52 for an estimated yearly value. To qualify you generally need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit (with household monthly earned income of £408 or less), Pension Credit that includes the child addition, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Child Tax Credit on a low income.

Worked example

Sara is 13 weeks pregnant, has a 6-month-old baby, and the household receives Universal Credit with monthly take-home pay of £300 (below the £408 limit). She qualifies. Her weekly amount is £4.65 for the pregnancy plus £9.30 for the baby under 1, which is £13.95 a week. Her card is topped up by £55.80 every four weeks (£13.95 × 4), worth about £725.40 over a year (£13.95 × 52) – plus free Healthy Start vitamins.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Healthy Start worth per week in 2026?

From April 2026 you get £4.65 a week for each pregnant person and each child aged 1 to under 4, and £9.30 a week for each baby under 1. A pregnant parent with a baby under 1, for example, receives £13.95 a week.

What is the Universal Credit income limit for Healthy Start?

If you claim Universal Credit, your household’s monthly earned income (take-home pay) must be £408 or less to qualify for Healthy Start.

How is the Healthy Start money paid?

Eligible families get a prepaid Healthy Start card. The NHS adds your benefit to the card automatically every 4 weeks, so a £13.95 weekly award appears as £55.80 each top-up.

Can I get Healthy Start if I am under 18 and pregnant?

Yes. If you are under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, you can claim Healthy Start even if you do not receive any qualifying benefit.

Source: Payment rates and eligibility from the NHS Healthy Start scheme. Verify and apply on the official service: healthystart.nhs.uk and gov.uk/healthy-start.