Guidance: Healthy Start extension: application guidance

The Healthy Start scheme has been extended for British children under 4 years old. Eligibility requires a parent or guardian to meet financial criteria and either be subject to a "no recourse to public funds" (NRPF) condition or have no immigration status. Weekly payments are £4.65 per child under 4 and £9.30 per child under one. Only supporting organisations, not individuals, can apply on behalf of eligible persons. If all requested documents are submitted within 16 weeks of the initial contact, the payment will be backdated to that date. The scheme is managed by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance was first published on 31 July 2024 and last updated on 24 September 2026.