Could you get help to pay for healthy food and milk?

Hundreds of parents in North East Lincolnshire could qualify for help to buy healthy food and milk.

Under the NHS Healthy Start scheme, women who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, and have a qualifying benefit can claim up to £8.50 each week.

The money is deposited onto a pre-paid card each week, allowing families to go out and buy essential foods from some shops.

The card can also be used to get Healthy Start vitamins to support women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children (suitable up to 4 years old).

Those eligible could receive £4.25 for each week of their pregnancy (from the 10^th week of their pregnancy), £8.50 each week for children from birth up to 1 year old, and £4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and adult social care at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “These vouchers are available to help make sure that every child gets the right start in life, and key to that is healthy, nutritious food and vitamins.

“The uptake of the vouchers has gone up during the pandemic and we are now one of the highest local authority areas for uptake in England. We know that families are struggling and we want to help them to get the right support.

“I would encourage every parent to get online, check that they’re eligible, and apply. This support is there to be used.”

For more information on the scheme, and to apply, visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk.