There is help available from the government for pregnant women and parents of young children on low incomes to buy food and milk.

However, a recent switch from a paper process to an online process has led to a very low take-up of this vital provision.

Below are the basic features of the ‘Healthy Start’ Scheme. If you are eligible for help please either make an application or contact a local independent welfare rights adviser for assistance.

What is Healthy Start?

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your entitlement will be added onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.

You can also use your card to collect:

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

 

Applying online

If you get Universal Credit, you can apply online if:

• you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old
• your family’s monthly ‘take-home pay for this period’ is £408 or less from employment.

If you get Child Tax Credit, you can apply online if:

• you have at least one child under 4 years old
• your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
• you do not get Working Tax Credit.

 

To apply, you’ll need your:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• baby’s due date (if you’re pregnant)
• benefit award letter if you’re over 18.

Make sure that your details are up to date with HMRC or DWP before you apply.

For online applications go to https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/ .

 

Applying by email or phone

You can apply by email or phone if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant, or have at least one child under 4 years old, and get either:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the 4 weeks after you, your partner or carer start working less than 16 hours per week) and you do not get Child Tax Credit.

You can also apply by email or phone if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant and either:

• under 18 years old and not getting any benefits
• getting Child Tax Credit and not getting Working Tax Credit and your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
• getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

You can apply by either:

• emailing start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• calling 0300 330 7010

Phone lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

 

If you’re not a British citizen, but your child is, you may still be entitled to Healthy Start support. See a specialist adviser to find out.

For more information on how much you could get, where and how to shop, what to buy, how to activate your payment card and how to report issues with your card see the frequently asked questions at https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/frequently-asked-questions/the-new-healthy-start-scheme/ , email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or call 0300 330 7010.

 

Make the most of this vital resource.

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