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Healthy Start voucher scheme. Get help to buy food, milk and vitamins.

Digital switch update: If you are either new to the scheme or already receive paper vouchers you will need to apply to get a pre-loaded chip and pin card to use in shops and to claim vitamins. 

You can apply by online, emial or phone:

No printer or signatures needed.

Claiming does not affect your other benefits. To activate your new pre loaded card, call 0300 330 7010 then select option 1, option 1 is quicker than waiting to speak to an advisor as lines are very busy during the new digital switch over.

If you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or care for a child under 4 years old you may qualify for Healthy Start pre loaded card (see below for criteria). This can be used to claim vitamin tablets/drops for you and your children, plus this pre loaded payment card is for use in food shops towards fruits and vegetables, milk, pulses and formula milk.

Vitamins:

Healthy Start vitamins contain the appropriate amount of recommended vitamins A, C and D for children aged from six months to four years, and folic acid and vitamins C and D for pregnant and breastfeeding women. They are suitable for vegetarians and free from wheat, fish, egg, salt. No colours, flavours or preservatives. No gluten containing ingredients. For more information see https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthy-start-vouchers/healthy-start-vitamins/

Vitamin D is particulary important during the COVID-19 lockdown if you are not going outside as much, plus there is less daylight during winter. This is because sunshine is the best source of vitamin D (although it is also available in a few foods such as, eggs and fortified breakfast cereal). Vitamin D aids the absorption of Calcium, particulary important during pregnnacy and breastfeeding.

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Healthy Start
Contact Position
National helpline
Telephone
0300 330 7010
Website
Health Start website

Where to go

Notes

How we look after your data-
For the purpose of posting your Healthy Start vitamins to you, your data will be shared with Liberata (who work in partnership with North Somerset Council). Your data will be stored in a secure location on a UK-based server, retained for the duration of your vitamin requests and 1 year thereafter to provide you with useful updates. The data we store is your name, address, mobile number and/or email address and number of children under 4 yrs old, we do not require the name of your child/children. You may request copies of your data, or request for it to be removed at any time by emailing healthystart@n-somerset.gov.uk

Other details

Costs

Details
You qualify for Healthy Start if you're at least 10wks pregnant or have a child under 4 yrs old AND you or your family get: - income support, or - income based jobseeker's allowance, or - income related employment and support allowance, or - child tax credit (with family income of £16,190 or less /yr) - Universal Credit (with a family take home pay of £408 or less /mnth) - on pension credit - under 18 and pregnant even if you do NOT get any of the above benefits or tax credits.

Availability

Referral required
No
Referral Details

A) TO APPLY- complete an application online, no need for a printer or signatures. You will need your NAtional Insurance number. 

Assistance to apply and Wifi access is available in all our North Somerset Libraries.

 

B) HOW TO USE YOUR DIGITAL CARD

1. Follow the instructions on the letter that comes with the card about how to activate it and checking your balance. The food card can be redeemed at most local food stores, to pay towards healthy food, cow's milk and first formula milk. The card uses usual chip and pin machine at the till with a food shop. 
2. To reaceive free delivery of child drops or adult tablets, please email healthystart@n-somerset.gov.uk  or text/WhatsApp 07557 592753 with:

  • photos of your Healthy Start card,
  • how many children under 4yrs you are claiming for, (and including yourself if you want tablets),
  • your address for the vitmains to be posted to

 Also, available in most Children's Centres, just show your blue Healthy Start card to reception and ask for drops and/or tablets.

 

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