Could you be missing out on NHS Healthy Start payments? Thousands of families may be entitled to help with food costs

Could you be missing out on money that could help you pay for milk, fresh fruit and vegetables?

If you’re pregnant or have young children and your family is on a low income, you could be entitled to help through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

The scheme provides eligible families with regular payments on a prepaid card, which you can use to buy certain healthy foods, milk and infant formula, as well as vitamins.

But charities are warning that thousands of families who could qualify are not claiming the support available to them.

In some parts of the country, take-up is particularly low. Figures for parts of the North East and Cumbria, for example, have shown take-up of the scheme at around 64%.

That means you could be missing out on money you may be entitled to claim, and it could make a difference when food bills are already putting pressure on household budgets.

Newcastle-based charity Feeding Britain told the BBC that, with food prices having risen, families on the lowest incomes needed “every layer of protection possible”.

So, if you’re pregnant or you have young children, it’s worth checking whether you could qualify.

What are NHS Healthy Start payments?

NHS Healthy Start payments are designed to help eligible families afford healthy food and vitamins.

If you qualify, money is added to a prepaid Healthy Start card every four weeks.

You can then use your card in participating shops to buy certain foods, including milk, fruit and vegetables, pulses and baby formula.

You don’t have to spend the money all at once, so you can use it when you need to buy eligible items.

Could you be eligible?

You could be eligible if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or you have a child under the age of four and you meet the scheme's other eligibility requirements.

Your eligibility can depend on the benefits you receive and your household income.

For example, you may qualify if you receive certain benefits, including universal credit, subject to the relevant income rules, or child tax credit.

If you think you might qualify, don’t assume you’re not eligible. The rules can depend on your individual circumstances.

How much could you get?

The amount you can receive depends on your circumstances and the age of your child.

Under the current rates:

• If you’re pregnant: £4.65 a week from the 10th week of pregnancy.
• If you have a baby under one: £9.30 a week.
• If you have a child aged one to four: £4.65 a week.

The payments are made every four weeks.

What can you buy with your Healthy Start card?

You can use your card at participating shops that accept Mastercard and sell approved items.

You can use your Healthy Start payments to buy:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried and tinned pulses, such as beans and lentils
• cow’s milk-based infant formula

You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins if you qualify.

So, if you’re already buying these items as part of your weekly shop, the support could help you stretch your household budget a little further.

What can’t you use the money for?

There are some important restrictions.

You cannot use your Healthy Start card:

• to withdraw cash
• to get cashback
• to make purchases online
• outside the UK
• to buy items that aren't approved under the scheme

The card is specifically intended to help you buy eligible healthy foods, milk and infant formula.

How do you apply?

If you think you could be eligible, you can check the rules and apply through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

With household budgets under pressure, it could be worth a few minutes of your time to check whether you’re missing out.