Are You Missing Out on Food Vouchers?
Calling all Hertfordshire parents – did you know you could be missing out on free fruit and vegetables or milk? If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four you could be entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers.
You are eligible for Healthy Start food vouchers worth £4.25 per child per week if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant and under 18. Otherwise, you can get the vouchers and vitamins if you are at least ten weeks pregnant, or have a child under four and you are in receipt of certain means-tested benefits.
To check your eligibility, visit the benefit-checker on Hertfordshire County Council’s website: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/benefits
The vouchers were increased from £3.10 per child to £4.25 from April following lobbying from England footballer Marcus Rashford. The campaigning footballer has now teamed up with TV chef Tom Kerridge to help provide families with recipes to make the most of the vouchers through the Full Time: Get cooking with Marcus & Tom initiative.
If you are entitled to Healthy Start vouchers you can spend them on milk, plain fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and instant formula milk. You can also use them to buy pulses and canned fruit and vegetables as long as they have no fat, salt, sugar or other flavouring added. The vouchers can be redeemed at local retailers.
Pregnant women and every child over one and under four years old can get one voucher every week, and expectant mums can also get free vitamins. Children under one year old can get £8.50 per week and pregnant women under 18 qualify, whether they are entitled to qualifying benefits or not.
Head of Hertfordshire County Council’s Money Advice Unit, Gary Vaux said: ‘It’s crucial that families take advantage of these vouchers which support expectant mothers during pregnancy and their children during those vital early months and years; from helping with buying formula milk to healthy fruit and vegetables.
‘There are over 5,000 pregnant women and young children missing out on £221-£442 per child, per year to spend on healthy food, so it’s important to be aware of this useful source of support.’
Residents are eligible for the vouchers even if they live with a partner in receipt of them, or if they are the dependent child of someone who receives them.
Those receiving the vouchers during pregnancy should advise Healthy Start of their baby’s birth by telephone within four months to get extra vouchers from their date of birth.
Take-up of the vouchers is very low, around 40 percent, so it is important to check eligibility as soon as possible to prevent missing out. Application leaflets are available from GP’s surgeries or baby clinics. Alternatively, a form can be obtained by ringing 0345 607 6823 or by downloading and printing one from www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers/how-to-apply/.
Due to COVID19 restrictions the form does not need to be signed by a health professional.
For some great recipes, based on the voucher scheme, visit Full Time: Get cooking with Marcus & Tom by visiting FULL TIME MEALS – TOM KERRIDGE