In the UK, many supermarket shoppers may be unaware of a government benefit that could save them over £400 annually on essential groceries. According to the
Birmingham Mail, the NHS’s Healthy Start scheme offers free food and milk to eligible parents and pregnant women, with potential savings of up to £442 per year.
However, despite the availability of this support, a significant number of families are missing out on the aid they are entitled to. This raises the question of who qualifies for this assistance and how to ensure that families aren’t losing out on this important benefit.
What is the Healthy Start Card?
The Healthy Start program is designed to help low-income families buy nutritious food, including milk, fruits, vegetables, and pulses. If you’re pregnant for more than 10 weeks or have a child under four years old, you may be eligible. If you qualify, you’ll receive a prepaid Healthy Start card, which is automatically topped up every
4 weeks by the NHS.
With this card, families can buy healthy food and milk at most major supermarkets in the UK, such as Lidl, Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury’s. You can spend the card on items like plain cow’s milk, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, tinned pulses, and even infant formula based on cow’s milk. The purpose of the scheme is simple: to ensure that families who need it most have access to healthy, affordable food.
Who is Eligible for Healthy Start Benefits?
You may be eligible for the Healthy Start benefit if you meet one of several criteria. Firstly, if you’re pregnant and have been for more than 10 weeks, or if you have at least one child under the age of four, you may be entitled. Furthermore, if your family’s monthly take-home income (after tax) is
£408 or less, you could qualify.
But the requirements don’t stop there. Families receiving Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit may also apply. Pension Credit, including the child addition, is available for low-income families and can also support eligibility. If you’re under 18 and pregnant, or receiving certain types of Employment and Support Allowance (
ESA), you can also qualify.
For some, eligibility can depend on your immigration status. If you have at least one British child under four and earn
£408 or less per month, you might be entitled, even if you cannot claim public funds due to your immigration status.
Your
biometric residence permit (BRP) or your online immigration status will specify if you are unable to claim public funds, which could be due to your immigration status or lack of status. You might also have a letter from the
Home Office about it.
How to Apply for the Healthy Start Card
Applying for the Healthy Start card is a straightforward process, but many eligible families aren’t aware of it or don’t know how to apply. You can apply online if you’re pregnant or have a child under four and meet the income criteria. Alternatively, applications can be made via email or phone if you receive qualifying benefits, such as
Income Support or
Pension Credit, which are provided through the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
If you are pregnant and under 18 or receiving specific forms of ESA, you can also apply by email or phone. It’s important to note that the application process may require proof of income or benefit status, so make sure you have that information handy.
Once approved, you’ll start receiving the Healthy Start card with regular top-ups, and you’ll be able to use it at participating retailers like
Lidl,
Tesco,
Asda, and
Sainsbury’s. This card provides an easy way to ensure your family gets access to essential nutrition.
The Consequences of Missing Out on Free Food at Supermarkets
If you’re eligible but not claiming your Healthy Start benefits, you’re missing out on up to
£442 in free food each year. For low-income families, that could make a significant difference in the weekly grocery bill. Not only does this scheme support families in need, but it also helps improve access to nutritious foods—something crucial for the health and well-being of both mothers and young children.
