Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Department

• Email on behalf of the Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Department As you know, with the increase of cost of living many more families around Essex may be struggling. To help aid people in this difficult time, I would like to draw focus to the National Healthy Start Vouchers.

These vouchers enable pregnant women, and those with children aged 4 or under on benefits to receive a weekly top up card to spend on fruit, vegetables, milk, and vitamins.  The new pre-paid top up card can be used in most places that sell milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables and that accept Mastercard including Community Supermarkets.

Check if you qualify for FREE Healthy Start Vouchers

With Healthy Start you may be able to get free vouchers every week to spend on milk, fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamins for yourself and your child.

If you are pregnant and/or have children under the age of four and are on benefits, you could qualify.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/.

Further Healthy Start promotional resources including social media assets can be found here  https://media.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/resources/f/nhs-healthy-start-scheme.

For a summary of wider support services in Essex that may be able to support people further with the cost of living please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/cost-of-living.