YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR £442 IN SUPERMARKET VOUCHERS
You could be among the families missing out on free supermarket food vouchers.
Families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could benefit from applying for the NHS Healthy Start Scheme, which you can get up to £442 in supermarket vouchers.
Research by consumer watchdog Which? last year found that young families are collectively missing out on more than £880,000 a week, which could be spent on food and other household essentials.
This is due to low take-up of the Healthy Start scheme – despite millions struggling to put food on the table or those turning to food banks amid the cost of living crisis.
Sue Davies, head of consumer rights and food policy at Which?, said: ‘There is an important role for the government to expand the scheme and increase its value, but we’re also calling on supermarkets to help customers by better promoting what is available and providing extra top-ups for those who use the scheme.
‘Supermarkets also need to make it easier for all customers to work out which items offer the best value for money, by making sure their pricing is clear and easily comparable between items.
‘Supermarkets must ensure everyone has access to basic, affordable food ranges, especially in areas where they are most needed.’
What is the NHS Healthy Start Scheme?
The scheme is in place to help certain families in need buy healthy food, such as fresh, frozen and tinned fruit, veg, milk and formula for babies and infants.
If you are eligible, you could receive top-ups for £4.25 or £8.50 per week, depending on the age of the child. People on the scheme are sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that they can use in shops to buy food. The benefit is added to the card every four weeks.
Additionally, parents can purchase Healthy Start vitamins with the card to support mums during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vitamin drops suitable for children from birth and four years of age can also be bought.
Who is eligible for the NHS Healthy Start Scheme
Families with young children and pregnant women who have a low income and those receiving benefits are eligible. The scheme operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
People in Scotland can sign up for the Best Start Foods scheme instead.
Pregnant women can apply by email or phone from 10 weeks onwards, or if you have a child under four.
People who get Universal Credit can apply if they are more than 10 weeks pregnant, have at least one child under four or if their family’s earned income (which is also called take-home pay) is £408 or less from employment.
You may be eligible for Healthy Start while getting Child Tax Credit if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less, and if you do not get Working Tax Credit.
If you’re more than 10 weeks into your pregnant and have children who are aged four or older, you will have to apply by email or on the phone rather than online.
You can find more information about eligibility and how to apply here.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Get your regular dose of need-to-know lifestyle news and features by signing up Metro's The Fix newsletter
2024-04-17T09:05:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd