Your Healthy Start card must be activated before it can be used.
You must use your card at a shop that sells Healthy Start items.
The store must accept Mastercard. They'll display a Mastecard logo which is normally shown on the shop door or at the till.
You cannot:
- withdraw money
- get cashback
- go overdrawn
- use the card for online purchases
- use the card of your phone's wallet app
- use the card abroad
- pay for non-Healthy Start items
Your card will not be accepted if it does not have the full amount needed for the purchase.
You can split payments between your Healthy Start card and your normal bank card or cash. Some shops will do this as separate transactions.
If your card is damaged it may not work. Placing your card in your phone case can wipe the magnetic strip. It’s best to keep your Healthy Start card in a purse or wallet.
You can find more information on the Healthy Start website.
Contactless payments not working
You must make a payment using chip and PIN before contactless payments are activated.
You may need to use chip and PIN after multiple contactless uses.
The maximum contactless limit for a single purchase is £45.