For families who are in receipt of the Healthy Start paper vouchers in Doncaster, you now need to reapply in order to receive your new Healthy Start Card. 

This is due to the paper vouchers being phased out and their value won’t automatically be transferred and you won’t automatically receive a card.

If you’re a family who have not applied before and you meet the eligibility criteria, the Healthy Start Card is definitely something worth applying for as it will help with your food shop more than ever, with the cost of food and fuel rising. This additional money could really make a difference for you.

Eligibility

If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

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

• Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
• Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)

You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if: 

• You’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
• You claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant
• You, your partner or your carer get Working Tax Credit run-on only after you have reported you’re working 16 hours or less per week.

To find out if your family earns £408 or less per month from employment whilst claiming Universal Credit, look at your ‘take-home pay for this period’ on your monthly Universal Credit award notice.

How to apply online

If you get a qualifying benefit and are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have parental responsibility for at least one child under 4 years old

You can apply online HERE . To apply, you will need your:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• baby’s due date (if you’re pregnant)
• benefit award letter if you’re over 18 (you must enter the same information that’s on this letter)

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it so that you can use it in some UK shops.

Benefits of Digital

The great thing about this all being digital is that

• Healthy Start will automatically add your benefit on to this card every 4 weeks.
• you can check your prepaid card balance at any ATM
• It takes as little as 5 minutes to apply online
• the Healthy Start Card is so easy to use in shops

See more information in the FAQ’s HERE 

You can use your Healthy Start Card to buy:

• Plain liquid cow’s milk
• Fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables
• Fresh, dried and tinned pulses
• Instant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect: 

Healthy Start vitamins – these suport you during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old.

Find out more about  the new Healthy Start scheme here