EYFS: Healthy Start Vouchers

 

 Pregnant or have children under the age of 4? You could qualify for £4.25 per week to spend on healthy foods.

From April 2021, the value of Healthy Start vouchers increases from £3.10 to £4.25. This will provide 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 free Healthy Start vitamins.

You qualify for Healthy Start if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’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 Osama Mahmoud, Public Health Practitioner (Email: Osama.Mahmoud@havering.gov.uk; Tel: 01708 433 369) or Helen Anfield, Early Years Centre Manager (Email: childrenscentres@havering.gov.uk; Tel: 01708 434 744).