If you’re pregnant or have a baby under 12 months old, you’re probably feeling the financial squeeze. Nappies, clothes, baby gear—not to mention trying to eat well—it all adds up fast! But did you know there’s free financial help available to make things a little easier?
From Healthy Start vouchers to maternity grants and food schemes, here’s your go-to guide on what you might be entitled to—plus where to get help filling in forms and checking eligibility.
What Are Healthy Start Vouchers?
The NHS Healthy Start scheme gives prepaid cards to pregnant women and parents of young children to help with healthy food, milk, and vitamins. It’s designed to lighten the load so you and your baby can get the nutrition you need—even on a tight budget.
💰 How much can you get?
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£4.25 per week if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant
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£8.50 per week for each child under 1 year old
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£4.25 per week for each child aged 1 to 4 years
That means if you’re pregnant and have a baby under 1, you could get £12.75 per week—that’s over £50 a month!
🛒 What can you buy?
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Fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables
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Milk (fresh or UHT)
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Follow-on formula milk like Bonya
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Pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas, etc.)
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Fresh, dried, or tinned herbs
💊 Bonus! You also get free vitamins for you and your baby—just ask your midwife or local pharmacy.
👉 Did you know? You can buy a whole box of Bonya with a Healthy Start voucher, unlike some other brands where you might need to top up the cost yourself!
📝 How to apply:
Apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk. You’ll need your National Insurance number and details of any benefits you receive.
💡 Need help? Your midwife, health visitor, or local children’s centre can guide you through the application!
Other Benefits for Pregnant & New Parents
💰 Sure Start Maternity Grant (£500 Free Payment)
A one-off payment of £500 to help cover the costs of having a baby—and you don’t have to pay it back!
✅ Who qualifies?
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It’s your first baby OR you’re expecting twins/triplets
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You (or your partner) receive benefits like Universal Credit, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit
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You can apply 11 weeks before your due date or up to 6 months after birth
📄 How to apply:
Download the form at www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant and ask your midwife to sign it before submitting it.
💡 Need help? Your midwife, health visitor, or local Citizens Advice can assist with the form.
Extra Support Depending on Where You Live
Scotland:
Best Start Grants & Best Start Foods
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£707.25 Pregnancy and Baby Payment (first child, or £353.65 for later children)
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Best Start Foods – A prepaid card topped up with £39.60 per month for healthy food
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Early Learning & School Age Payments for extra costs as your child grows
📍 Apply here: www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods
Scotland & Wales:
Free Baby Boxes
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Scotland’s Baby Box – A free box of baby essentials, including a mattress for safe sleep
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Wales’ Baby Bundle – A pack of essentials for babies born after April 2023
📍 Ask your midwife about signing up!
More Help with Food, Bills & Baby Essentials
💡 Struggling financially? You don’t have to do it alone. There’s extra support available if you’re waiting for payments or going through a tough time.
👶 Baby Banks – Free second-hand baby clothes, nappies, prams, and cots
🍽 Food Banks – Emergency food parcels if you’re running low
📍 Where to find them:
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Baby banks: www.babybanknetwork.com
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Food banks: www.trusselltrust.org
🔥 Warm Home Discounts & Energy Help
If you’re on a low income, you could get:
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£150 Warm Home Discount to help with winter energy bills
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Grants from energy companies to clear unpaid bills
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Free insulation & boiler grants to lower your bills
📍 Check eligibility at: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Where to Get Help Filling Out Forms
Applying for benefits can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone! 💡
📍 Who can help?
✅ Your midwife or health visitor – They can check eligibility and help with forms
✅ Citizens Advice – Free benefit checks & application help (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)
✅ Local children’s centres – Many offer free support with applications
✅ Turn2Us – A free benefit calculator (www.turn2us.org.uk)
✅ EntitledTo – Another great benefit checker (www.entitledto.co.uk)
Take Action Today 💪
✅ Check your eligibility using a benefit calculator
✅ Speak to your midwife or health visitor for support
✅ Apply for Healthy Start & other grants as early as possible
Know someone who might need this info? Share this blog with them! Every little bit of support can make a difference. 💙
