PARENTS can get help towards the cost of fruit, veg and milk for kids under the age of four.
Healthy Start vouchers are worth up to £442 a year for those claiming certain benefits.
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From next week parents with paper vouchers must switch to using a prepaid card to continue getting the help.
The shake up will mean parents have to apply for the card by March 10 or they could miss out or face a longer wait for the support.
Each voucher is worth £4.25 per week, and you can get two each week if you have a child under the age of one, so that can add up to £442 a year.
The Healthy Start scheme is designed to help families cover the cost of healthy food for their kids.
You can start getting the vouchers from 10 weeks pregnant up to when the child turns four.
Vouchers can be used at most major supermarkets including Aldi and Asda.
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Tesco, Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Lidl also accept them, as do other smaller shops across the country.
The move from paper vouchers to pre-paid cards means more locations will accept the cards.
The amount you get will stay the same, it’s just the way you get it and spend it that is changing.
Brendan Brown of the NHS Business Services Authority which administers the scheme for the department of health, said: “With over 150,000 paper voucher holders already making the switch to the card, we don’t want anyone to miss out on receiving their NHS Healthy Start payment.
“You must apply for the card by March 10 as paper vouchers will no longer be issued.
“You’ll still be able to sign up after that date, but your payments could be delayed, so please apply soon.”
If you don’t switch over to the prepaid card, you won’t continue getting vouchers so you’ll miss out on the cash.
How do I apply for Healthy Start vouchers?
You can apply for the Healthy Start scheme online on the government website.
You can also print out a paper form from the Heathy Start website here or you can request one from your GP or midwife.
Alternatively, you can request one from the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823.
To apply, you will 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
If you already receive the vouchers, you need to sign up for the new prepaid card system.
You must switch to the digital scheme by March 10 to continue receiving the benefit and avoid payment delays.
Once you’ve applied online, you should receive your card within five to 10 working days.
But the NHS warned that it could take longer than this if there’s a high number of applications, which there could be as the deadline draws closer.
If you have any outstanding paper vouchers make sure you use them by the date shown.
Where can I use Healthy Start vouchers?
You can use the Healthy Start prepaid card at any location where Mastercard is accepted.
Previously it paper vouchers could be used at a wide variety of locations, but not all local shops, supermarkets or pharmacists for vitamins.
As long as they usually accept Mastercard, you can use the card at:
- supermarkets
- convenience stores
- grocery stores
- drug stores and pharmacies
- markets
- dairy products stores
- butcher shops
- petrol stations
You can’t use the prepaid card for online shopping, or to withdraw the cash from an ATM.
But you can use an ATM to check the balance on the card, or call 0300 330 7010, but phone charges can apply.
The money is added to the card automatically every four weeks.
How much are Healthy Start vouchers worth?
Each healthy start voucher is currently worth £4.25 a week, and over a year that adds up to £221.
It’s worth double that if you have a child under the age of one as you’ll be eligible for two vouchers each week.
Who can get Healthy Start Scheme vouchers?
You can get the help if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of four.
You’ll need to be claiming one of the following benefits to qualify.
- Child Tax Credit and an annual income of less than £16,190
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit and income of £408 or less per month from employment
You’ll also need to be in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – in Scotland there’s a different scheme offering similar help called Best Start Foods.
Anyone aged under 18 can get the help without claiming benefits.
What can I use Healthy Start vouchers for?
You can use Healthy Start vouchers to buy a variety of items:
- cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
- infant formula milk
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
If you’re using it for formula it must be infant formula labelled “suitable from birth” the NHS website says, which can be used to feed babies up to 12 months.
You can’t use it to buy follow on milk, but you can buy cows milk which is suitable for young children after 12 months.
And you can use the vouchers to get vitamins too.
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