Healthy Start: Pregnant, or have a child under 4?

Last modified 04/06/10 at 11:45

You could qualify for up to £700 towards milk, fruit & vegetables. Healthy Start is a UK wide government scheme to improve the health of pregnant women and families on a low income, or on benefits.

Veg and fruit The scheme provides qualifying families vouchers to spend on cow’s milk, fruit and vegetables, as well as coupons for free vitamins. In addition Vitamin Tablets for Pregnant mums/new mums and Vitamin drops for children are also available. By joining this scheme pregnant woman and families will receive ongoing advice on subjects like breastfeeding, healthy eating and parenting from Healthy Start.

To qualify for this scheme you must be:

At least 10 weeks pregnant, OR
Have a child under 4

AND getting:

Income Support OR
Income based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA) OR
Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) OR
Child Tax Credit, (but NOT Working Tax Credit (WTC) unless the family is receiving WTC run on only) AND annual family income of less than £16,190 or less in 2010/11 OR
If you are under 18 and pregnant but not getting any of these benefits

If you meet the above criteria you can stay on this scheme until your child's 4th birthday. You will initially receive £3.10 per week whilst pregnant, and after your child is one years old. However, between birth and one you qualify for 2 vouchers per week – which is £6.20.

If you've got two children aged between 1 and 4, you could qualify for extra vouchers.

For more information and an application leaflet visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk, or call a Healthy Start on 0845 607 6823 for more advice.