Healthy Start food vouchers are being replaced with Best Start Foods payments.
Healthy Start Vitamins tablets are still available for free for all pregnant women. Vitamin D is also now available for all women who are breastfeeding and babies/children up to age 3 (as required). See our vitamins page for more information. You can also speak to your midwife or health visitor about getting your free vitamins and for further advice.
Best Start Foods payments can be used to buy nutritious food using a prepaid debit card. This card can be used in large supermarkets, smaller shops or online. Click here to find out more on which shops you can use the card in and what foods you can buy.
When to Apply for Best Start Foods
You can apply for Best Start Foods when you are pregnant or any time up to your child turning 3 years old. This goes up to 4 years old for a child:
- Who’s over 2 years old when you apply
- That you also get Healthy Start Vouchers for (If you’re getting Healthy Start Vouchers for a child you apply for, you’ll be moved from Healthy Start Vouchers to Best Start Foods)
To find out who is eligible to apply for Best Start Foods payments please click here.
Best Start Foods Payments
The payments of Best Start Foods are:
- £17 every 4 weeks during pregnancy
- £34 every 4 weeks from your child being born up until they’re a 1 year old
- £17 every 4 weeks between the ages of 1 and 3
How to Apply for Best Start Foods
You can apply for Best Start Foods online, on the telephone or using a paper form. Click here to go to the Mygov.scot website where you can find further information on how to apply.
Families can also ask their midwife, family nurse or health visitor if they require support with this.
