Do you qualify for free Healthy Start vouchers?
The Healthy Start Project is a great way to get free vouchers every week which you can swap for milk, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and infant formula milk. And, NHS Suffolk is encouraging pregnant women or families with children aged up to four who are in receipt of eligible benefits to apply.
Dr Mashbileg Maidrag, NHS Suffolk Consultant in Public Health said: “Healthy Start is a great way for women to eat healthily during their pregnancy and gives young children a fantastic start towards a long and healthy life. Having children can be expensive and many people may find it difficult to afford fresh fruit and vegetables, so these free vouchers are an ideal way of saving money and staying healthy at the same time.”
Do I qualify?
You qualify for Healthy Start if you’re pregnant or have a child under four years old AND:
– you or your family get Income Support, or
– you or your family get income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or
– you or your family get Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit unless your family is receiving Working Tax Credit run-on only*) and have an annual family income of below £16,190 or less (2008/9)
OR:
– you’re pregnant and under 18 years of age
*Working Tax Credit run-on is the Working Tax Credit you receive in the 4 weeks immediately after you have stopped working for 16 hours or more per week
How much are the vouchers worth?
Healthy Start vouchers are worth:
– £3.10 a week if you’re pregnant
– £6.20 a week for each baby aged under one
– £3.10 a week for each child aged over one and under four
Where can I use my vouchers?
You can use your vouchers in any shop that’s taking part in the Healthy Start scheme. Look out for the Healthy Start stickers in shop windows, or ask inside. Healthy Start shops include greengrocers, milkmen, market stalls, chemists, corner shops and food co-ops as well as supermarkets.
How do I apply?
You can download the application form at www.healthystart.nhs.uk or ask your midwife or health visitor for the form. Complete the form and take it to your GP or midwife for their authorisation, then send it off to the freepost address: Healthy Start Issuing Unit, FREEPOST RRTR-SYAE-JKCR, PO Box 1067, Warrington, WA55 1EG.
For more information about NHS Suffolk visit www.suffolk.nhs.uk
