The NHS Healthy Start scheme helps low-income families buy fruit, vegetables, milk and infant formula. In Leeds, we aim to ensure all families have access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food.

If you’re pregnant or have children under the age of 4 you may receive payments every 4 weeks to spend on:

• fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• cow’s milk
• infant formula milk

You can also get free NHS Healthy Start vitamins.

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

Your money will stop after your child’s 4th birthday, or if you no longer receive benefits.

You’ll qualify for the NHS Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under 4.

In addition, you must be receiving any of the following:

• Child Tax Credit
• Income Support
• Income- based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit (only if your family’s take home pay is less than £408/ month)

You will also be eligible if:

• you’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
• you claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance and are over 10 weeks pregnant
• you or your partner get Working Tax Credit run-on only

Visit healthystart.nhs.uk to complete an online application form.

You will receive a pre-paid card in the post, which is automatically topped up every 4 weeks. Just make sure you activate your card to get your PIN before using it.

The card can be used at most retail shops that accept card payments. Be aware that some shops have a minimum card payment if you only want to purchase a few items.

You can also use your card to show proof of eligibility to collect free NHS Healthy Start vitamins.