Public health news: Healthy Start Scheme

Public Health Newsletter: September 2023

Anyone who is more than 10 weeks pregnant or families with children under 4 could get help to buy some basic foods and milk if they receive certain benefits.

Find out if you're eligible for the Healthy Start scheme at www.healthystart.nhs.uk and apply online.

If you're eligible, you will receive a Healthy Start Voucher card which is topped up every four weeks.

You will get:

• £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 1 and 4 years old

You should only use your card to buy certain types of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables.

You need to activate your card before you can use it. The first time you use your card you'll need to use your PIN. After that, you can make contactless payments. When you use contactless four times in a row, or spend a combined £150, you'll need to use your PIN on the next transaction. This is to help with the security of your card.

You can use your card in most places that sell milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables if they display the Mastercard symbol at the till or on the shop door. For more details about using the card visit Healthy Start - How to Shop.

Anyone who lives in South Tyneside and is at least 10 weeks pregnant and / or has a child under 4 years old can also claim FREE Healthy Start Vitamins every 8 weeks. To find out where you can collect vitamins from visit Healthy Start Vitamins.