The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) first published application guidance for the extended Healthy Start scheme on 31 July 20241. The guidance sets out who is eligible to apply under the extended criteria and how to apply1.
The extended Healthy Start scheme is available to British children aged under 4 years old whose parent or guardian meets the financial eligibility criteria and is either subject to a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition attached to their immigration permission, or is without any immigration status1.
The page has been updated several times since first publication. On 30 May 2025 it was updated to reflect that the scheme is now managed by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on behalf of DHSC1. On 11 March 2025 the evidence rules for NRPF were changed: DHSC said it would accept a visa stating NRPF that has not expired, and would also accept a biometric residence permit, even if expired, alongside the share code from an eVisa1. A further update on 16 October 2025 changed the definition of an eVisa in the NRPF evidence section1.
The most recent update, dated 24 September 2026, records several changes1:
| Item | Detail as updated |
|---|---|
| Weekly payment, child under 4 | £4.65 |
| Weekly payment, child under one | £9.30 |
| Who can apply on someone's behalf | Supporting organisations only, not individuals |
| Backdating | If all requested documents are submitted within 16 weeks of initial contact, payment is backdated to that date |
That update also removed visa and biometric residence permit from the "Evidence for NRPF" section, changed "Evidence for no immigration status" to reflect that both methods of accepted evidence are needed, and added "evidence for no immigration status" to the "Evidence for earned income" section as an accepted method of evidence1.
Why it matters for households
The guidance defines which families can claim under the extended criteria, so households with a British child under 4 and a parent or guardian who has an NRPF condition or no immigration status can see whether they fall within the financial eligibility rules1. It also confirms that applications cannot be made by individuals on someone else's behalf, only by supporting organisations1.
For payments, the guidance records weekly rates of £4.65 per child under 4 and £9.30 per child under one as at the 24 September 2026 update1. Where all requested documents are submitted within 16 weeks of the initial contact, payment is backdated to that date1. The evidence rules have changed over time, including what DHSC accepts for NRPF and for no immigration status1.
The scheme is managed by the NHSBSA on behalf of DHSC, as recorded in the 30 May 2025 update1. Separate arrangements apply in Scotland through Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods; the guidance covers the Healthy Start extension only1. Wider help with food, milk and vitamins is set out in the site's Healthy Start guide, and other benefits are covered separately.
What happens next
The page carries a last updated date of 24 September 2026, with earlier updates on 11 March 2025, 30 May 2025 and 16 October 20251. No further changes have been reported.
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