Have you heard about 'Healthy Start'?

• This is the new scheme from the Department of Health, which replaces the old Welfare Food Scheme.  It covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and started on 27th November 2006

Who qualifies for 'Healthy Start'?

• If you are 10 weeks pregnant or more, or if you have a child under 4 years of age, and if you get one of the benefits listed below, you will be eligible for the 'Healthy Start' scheme:-
• 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) and have an annual family income below £14,155.
• You also qualify for the 'Healthy Start' if you are pregnant and under 18, whether or not you are on benefits.
• Anyone who thinks they are eligible should apply.

How do you apply to be included in the scheme?

• If you already receive Welfare Food Scheme tokens, you should automatically get the 'Healthy Start' vouchers instead. 
• If you have not been registered on the Welfare Food Scheme, but think you would be eligible for 'Healthy Start', ask a health professional (midwife, health visitor or G.P) for a leaflet and application form.  They will need to sign Part B of the form before you send off your application. 
• Forms can also be downloaded from the 'Healthy Start' website.  www.healthystart.nhs.uk

How does Healthy Start work?

• Once you have been accepted on the scheme, you will receive a set of vouchers through the post every four weeks.  Each voucher is worth £2.80 and can be exchanged for any combination of fresh cows' milk, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and infant formula milk in registered shops.  Follow-on milk and soya formulas are not included in the new scheme.
• 'Healthy Start' also provides free vitamin supplements to qualifying pregnant women, mothers and children.  If you are entitled to free vitamin supplements, this will be printed on the letter attached to the vouchers.  You should show this letter to your health visitor or midwife who will be able to tell you how to claim these.

How many vouchers will you get?

• Pregnant women and children aged between 1 and 4 years old will receive one voucher per week, worth £2.80, for each child/pregnancy.
• Babies under 1 year old will receive two vouchers, worth a total of £5.60, per week.
• As well as the vouchers, you will also get lots of healthy eating advice, and  advice on breastfeeding, infant feeding and on how to use the vouchers.

Where can you use the 'Healthy Start' vouchers?

• You will be able to exchange the voucher(s) at any registered retail outlet.  Major supermarkets, food co-ops, milkmen, greengrocers, pharmacies, local shops, market stalls and farm shops have registered on the 'Healthy Start' scheme, so look out for the sticker (shown below) or ask the retailer.
  
• Visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk for a handy postcode locator to find your nearest retail outlets (look in the 'Get the vouchers' section, under 'Where to use the vouchers').
• If shops near you don't accept the vouchers, ask them to visit the 'Healthy Start' website or to call 08707 201668.
• N.B.Health clinics will not accept Welfare Food Scheme or 'Healthy Start' vouchers anymore.