I've got a small child and am living on a low income. I've heard that I might be entitled to vouchers to help pay for milk and fresh fruit and vegetables – is this true?
This is under the Government's Healthy Start scheme. Vouchers can be exchanged at various food outlets for free milk, fruit and vegetables. If you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you can get healthy start vouchers for any of your children who are under four.
If you get Child Tax Credit, your income is low enough, and you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, your children under four are also entitled to healthy start vouchers. If your child is under one, you can get additional vouchers.
You can also get vouchers if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant and you are getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. You will also qualify if you get Child Tax Credit but are not getting Working Tax Credit and your income is low enough.
If you are a member of the family of someone who is on these benefits and you are pregnant, you can also get healthy start vouchers. A member of the family in this case is an opposite-sex partner, same-sex partner or dependent child of the person who is getting one of these benefits. If you are under 18 and pregnant you are also eligible for vouchers.
To claim healthy start vouchers, fill in a claim form and have it approved by a health professional – for example, a midwife. Ask you Doctor or midwife for more details or go to
www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
If you think you are entitled to the vouchers and don't receive them, or you have any other problems with healthy start vouchers, see someone at Sudbury and District Citizens Advice Bureau.
This article is intended as a guide only. Please do not rely on this guide for advice in your personal situation. If you have any specific concerns or questions about how the rules could help you, then the Sudbury and District Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help.
The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing advice and information and influencing policymakers.
The advice provided by Citizens Advice is free, independent, confidential and impartial and open to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. Sudbury and District Citizens' Advice Bureau, Belle Vue, Newton Road, Sudbury CO10 2RG, telephone 01787 374671, fax: 01787 881564, email:
contact@sudburycab.org.uk