Thousands of families across Liverpool could be missing out on support that helps put healthy food on the table, with £600,000 to £700,000 in Healthy Start vouchers going unclaimed every year.
Healthy Start is there to support parents and carers during pregnancy and the early years, helping people buy fruit, vegetables and milk, as well as access free vitamins. Support is available from 10 weeks of pregnancy until a child turns four, but many families don’t realise they’re entitled to it.
Extra support from April 2026
From 6 April 2026, the amount families receive through Healthy Start has increased to help with rising food costs:
- £9.30 a week for children under one
- £4.65 a week for pregnant women and children aged 1 – 4 (a 40p increase)
Over time, this support can really add up. A parent who remains eligible from pregnancy until their child turns four could receive over £1,300 through the scheme.
Anyone already receiving Healthy Start does not need to do anything. The increase will be applied automatically.
Supporting local families and local food
The Healthy Start card works just like a bank card and can be used in a wide range of places that accept Mastercard, including:
- Supermarkets and local corner shops
- Pharmacies, markets and petrol stations
- Community Food Spaces listed on the Feeding Liverpool map, such as food pantries, community shops and community markets
- The Queen of Greens mobile greengrocer, helping bring affordable fresh produce into neighbourhoods
Families can also access free Healthy Start vitamins during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children, through Children’s Centres by showing their Healthy Start card.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“Healthy Start is about making sure families in our communities can access simple, practical support that really helps day to day. At a time when the cost of living is a real concern for many households, this scheme can make a meaningful difference by helping parents put healthy food on the table for themselves and their children.
We want every eligible family in Liverpool to know this support is there for them and feel confident accessing it.”
Making a difference in our communities
Increasing awareness and take-up of Healthy Start across the city is an important way of supporting Liverpool families during the cost-of-living crisis. The scheme helps households afford more nutritious food at a time when it matters most, supporting healthy pregnancies, early development and long-term wellbeing.
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Healthy Start can make a real difference for families, helping parents eat well during pregnancy and giving children the healthiest possible start in life. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to check online and see what support is available.”
Find out if you can claim
For full details on who can apply and how to get started, visit: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/
