Free Fruit, Milk, Vegetables (Govt scheme) [Guide]

If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant OR have a child under 4 years old you could be eligible for the Healthy Start scheme. You could get help to buy cows milk, formula, fruit, pulses, and vegetables
(You receive a prepaid Mastercard that you can use at the shops and receive payments every 4 weeks). (For people living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland only. If you live in Scotland, check out the Best Start Foods scheme).

Who is eligible

The quickest way to check if you are eligible is by using the Eligibility calculator

You’ll qualify for the 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 (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
• If you cannot claim public funds because of immigration status – there’s a different way to apply
  
  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 much can I 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

Where can I use the prepaid Mastercard

Lots of shops accept Healthy Start payment, including supermarkets, corner shops, food co-ops, greengrocers, market stalls, butchers, petrol stations, milk floats or vans and pharmacies.

What can I buy with the prepaid Mastercard

• Fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
• Fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• Cow’s milk
• Infant formula milk
• You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins

How can I apply

You can apply on the NHS website, accessible via the Apply button below. You’ll need to provide the following bits of information: 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)