Helping Liverpool families make the most of Healthy Start 

Thousands of families in Liverpool may be missing out on valuable support designed to help them afford nutritious food, with an estimated £600,000 to £700,000 in Healthy Start vouchers left unclaimed annually. The Healthy Start program offers assistance to parents and carers from 10 weeks into pregnancy until their child reaches four years old. This support enables families to purchase essential items such as fruit, vegetables, and milk, as well as access free vitamins. Despite the availability of these benefits, many eligible families remain unaware that they qualify.

Starting from 6 April 2026, there will be an increase in the amount families receive through Healthy Start to address rising food costs. The updated rates provide £9.30 per week for children under one year old, and £4.65 per week for pregnant women and children aged between one and four—an increase of 40 pence. This financial support adds up over time, with eligible parents potentially receiving over £1,300 throughout the duration of the scheme, from pregnancy to when their child turns four. Current recipients of Healthy Start vouchers will automatically see this increase without needing to take any further action.

The Healthy Start card functions much like a debit card and is accepted at various local venues across Liverpool, including supermarkets, corner shops, pharmacies, markets, and petrol stations. Additionally, support extends to community food outlets such as food pantries, community shops, and markets featured on Feeding Liverpool’s Community Food Spaces map. The scheme also collaborates with initiatives like the Queen of Greens mobile greengrocer, which brings affordable fresh produce directly into neighborhoods. Families carrying the Healthy Start card can obtain free vitamins during pregnancy or breastfeeding and vitamin drops for babies and young children at Children’s Centres.

Councillor Harry Doyle, the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, emphasized the practical benefits of the scheme: “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.” Similarly, Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, highlighted the importance of participation: “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.”

Families interested in learning more about eligibility and how to apply can visit the official Healthy Start website to access full details and begin the application process

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