As part of the NHS Healthy Start Scheme, pregnant women and those with young children are able to purchase healthy and nutritious foods to give their children the very best start in life.
What Is The Healthy Start Scheme?
The Healthy Start Scheme is an NHS initiative that aims to help parents give their children the healthiest start in life. If you are pregnant or have children under the age of 4 you may get help to buy:
- cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
- infant formula milk
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
If you are eligible, you will receive a Healthy Start card which is topped up with funds each month and can be used in a range of UK stores to buy healthy foods and milk. You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins, which can be collected from your local Children’s Centre.
For more information on help to buy food and milk visit the NHS website.
How Much Will I Get?
If you are receiving a qualifying benefit and are eligible, you can get:
- £4.25 each week of your pregnancy (from the 10th week of your pregnancy)
- £8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old
- £4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old.
In Blackburn with Darwen, we also distribute healthy start vitamins to ALL pregnant mums and children under 4 regardless of Healthy Start Scheme eligibility – please see your local Children’s Centre for further information.
