Health benefits for people with a low income

Help with the costs of milk, fruit and vegetables

Who gets it?
If you or your partner are on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Child Tax Credit where neither you nor your partner work at least 16 hours a week, you may be able to get Healthy Start vouchers. Not all families receiving Child Tax Credit will be able to, only those families with a very low income.

If you are under 18 and pregnant you can claim the help whether or not you are on any benefits. The vouchers can be used towards the cost of milk, fruit, vegetables or formula milk. You can claim if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or if you have a child under 4.

How do I Claim?
You should complete a claim form in the Healthy Start Application Leaflet (HS01). You can get this from maternity clinics, some doctors' surgeries or by calling 0870 555 455, or you can download it from www.healthystart.nhs.uk. You will need to get the form signed by a health professional (usually your midwife or health visitor). If you are claiming whilst pregnant and then have your baby, you should claim Child Tax Credit to make sure your vouchers continue.

Free vitamins

Who gets them?
If you can get Healthy Start vouchers then you are also entitled to free vitamins. These may be provided by maternity or child health clinics, health centres or by some pharmacists. You should ask your midwife or health professional about local arrangements in your area.

You don't need to make a claim for vitamins but you may be asked to show that you are entitled (eg by producing your Healthy Start voucher letter). At the moment, whilst you are pregnant your GP gives you a prescription for the vitamins but soon you should be able to get them without seeing your GP.