Over 500 families could be missing out on £1200 Healthy Start support

Data shows that only 66% of eligible families in Brighton & Hove are currently benefitting from the NHS Healthy Start scheme, which helps parents buy vitamins and healthy food for their children.  

This leaves over 500 low-income families missing out on financial support which could add up to £1200 lifetime value. 

Due to rising costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide children with a balanced, nutritious diet and vitamins to help them grow and develop healthy habits.

The aim of the scheme is to ease this financial strain and help pregnant people, parents and carers provide their little ones with a good start in life with a pre-paid, easy to use Healthy Start card.

How does it work?

The Healthy Start scheme is available to those who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and are receiving qualifying benefits. Anyone under 18 and pregnant can apply. 

You can find out if you’re eligible on the NHS Healthy Start website.

After applying, you will receive a discreet, pre-paid card which can be used in any shop that accepts Mastercard. 

The card will be topped up with money every 4 weeks: 

• £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week, 
• £8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old, 
• £4.25 each week for children between one and 4 years old.   

You can easily apply for the Healthy Start card online, by calling the helpline on 0300 330 7010 or by e-mailing healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

Once you have received the card, you need to activate it by calling 0300 330 2090 and get your PIN to use in shops where you can pay by card. 

Please make sure you use your card at least once every 16 weeks, otherwise your claim will be closed, and your money will expire. 

What can you buy?

The Healthy Start card should only be used to purchase fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried and tinned pulses, plain cow’s milk and infant formula. 

If you’re also buying products outside of these categories, you will need to split your shopping and pay for them separately with your normal bank card or cash. 

You can also get free vitamins with your Healthy Start card – multi-vitamins with vitamins C, D and folic acid while you’re pregnant up until your baby’s first birthday and free vitamin drops for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

You can ask your midwife or health visitor about where to pick up your free vitamins, or find out who stocks Healthy Start Vitamins in your local area online.

A healthy start in life should not be a luxury

Councillor Bruno De Oliveira, chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board, said: “With the ongoing costs of living crisis and the coming winter months, many parents might be worried about not being able to afford a varied, nutrition packed diet for their child. 

“Having children and providing them with a healthy start in life should not be considered a luxury.

“I encourage all parents who could be eligible to not hesitate and apply for the Healthy Start scheme, which offers a welcome financial boost towards buying nutritional food.

“If you know anyone who might benefit from this scheme, please help us spread the word so no families are left without available support.”

For more advice on healthy eating: 

• To give your baby a good start to life NHS start4life gives you advice on pregnancy, birth and parenthood, including introducing your baby to solids, breastfeeding challenges, learning to talk, weaning recipes and safe weaning. 
• For parents with young children NHS change4life helps you and your family eat better and move more.  Join the project and you will receive regular emails containing healthy eating tips, quick and easy family recipes, fun activities for kids, and more. 

If you need more household support: 

• If you’re facing a crisis and need help we can provide welfare advice, discretionary payments and other support. Find out more on our help and support web page. 
• To check if your child is entitled to free school meals or to apply please use our website application form. 
• For debt advice Citizens Advice can be contacted on 0300 330 9033 or their website and Money Advice Plus service on 0800 988 7037. Visit the money advice website. 
• Emergency help with food, energy bills and other essentials: If you receive benefits and need help to pay for essentials you can't live without, apply for help from our Local Discretionary Social Fund. 
• Our libraries offer a plethora of free and low-cost activities and events for children and parents. You can also explore our toy library collection in Whitehawk Library and smaller collection in Coldean Library and Portslade Library for a free update to your children’s toybox.