Nearly 200,000 hard up families missing out on up to £442 a year to spend at supermarkets – how to claim

NEARLY 200,000 hard up families are missing out on up to £442 a year to spend at supermarkets.

The benefit is provided as part of a Government scheme to encourage healthy eating for pregnant mothers and young children.

An estimated 181,255 households could be due support from the little-known benefit, according to Policy in Practice.

The Healthy Start scheme supports pregnant people and families with young children.

The free cash support available can be used to fund groceries, including fruit, vegetables, and milk.

The scheme, launched in 2006, provides a weekly allowance to help fund healthier eating decisions.

It consists of payments each week of £4.25 for people over 10 weeks pregnant, £8.50 for the first year of a child’s life, and £4.25 for children aged one to four.

Eligibility is based on income levels and entitlement to means-tested
benefits such as Universal Credit.

It’s always worth checking to see if you can claim, as it can be worth up to £442 a year per child.

Eligible households will receive a prepaid card instead of paper vouchers, as was the case previously.

We’ve explained everything you need to know about the Healthy Start scheme below.

Who is eligible?

To receive the Healthy Start card, you must be on one of the following benefits:

• Child tax credits (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)

You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if:

• You’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
• You claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant
• You, your partner or your carer get working tax credit run-on only after you have reported you’re working 16 hours or less per week

How to apply?

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

• you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old
• your family’s monthly ‘take-home pay’ (also called ‘earned income’) is £408 or less from employment

Please note that the details you use to apply for Healthy Start must match the details on your Universal Credit claim.

Go to your Universal Credit account to check:

• your address details, including your postcode
• all of your children are named and verified on your Universal Credit claim

If you get Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible for Healthy Start if:

• your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
• you do not get Working Tax Credit

Most people who get Child Tax Credit can apply online. You can apply online if you’re either:

• more than 10 weeks pregnant and have children under the age of 4
• not pregnant but have children under the age of 4

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and have other children who are all aged 4 or older, you’ll need to apply by email or phone.

To apply online, 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 you enter the exact details shown on your benefit award letter

Make sure that your details are up to date with HMRC or DWP – you may wish to contact them to check or update your details before you apply.

Apply at https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/.

How much will I get?

For each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week, you’ll get £4.25.

From birth to age one, you’ll receive a boosted up £8.50 each week.

Then, from age one to four, the rate returns back to just £4.25 weekly.

That’s as much as £442 worth of free food over the year for each child.

Your money will stop when your child is four years old or if you no longer receive benefits.

How do I access the cash?

Healthy Start money is issued on a prepaid card that you can use in most places where food is sold, including supermarkets such as Aldi, Iceland and Tesco.

You can also swipe it at a number of convenience stores, pharmacies, markets, butchers shops and petrol stations.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card which is topped up every four weeks.

You can then swipe it at the tills to get money off your shop.