Healthy Start

Pregnant or have children under the age of 4? You could qualify for £4.25 per week to spend on healthy foods if you’re on benefits. You also qualify if you’re pregnant, under 18, and not on benefits.

This provides additional support for pregnant women and families on lower incomes to purchase healthy foods.

Healthy Start vouchers may be used to purchase fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried or tinned pulses, plain cow’s milk and infant formula. The scheme also allows claimants to receive Healthy Start vitamins.

You qualify for Healthy Start if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child who’s under 4 and are receiving any of the following:

• Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
• Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit run-on only. (the Working Tax Credit you receive in the 4 weeks immediately after you have stopped working for 16 hours or more/week)

You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if you’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits.

For more information on the Healthy Start scheme and how to apply, visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk

If you have any questions regarding Healthy Start, please contact  Public Health (Email: publichealth@havering.gov.uk