Are you a new parent struggling with food costs? If so, a budgeting expert has a top tip that can boost your bank balance by hundreds each year to help with your weekly shop.
With prices continuing to soar, it isn’t easy. Thankfully, Leila Echchik is on hand to point those who are pregnant – or with a child under the age of four – in the right direction.
“You could get up to £442 a year through the [NHS‘] Healthy Start scheme and it’s completely free,” she explained in a TikTok video. Breaking down the payments, Leila revealed the scheme pays £4.25 per week for each week of your pregnancy from week 10.”
Then, once your child has been born, this increases to £8.50 each week for the first year, before dropping to the original payment of £4.24 whilst you child is between one and four – with payments stopping after your child’s fourth birthday.
“You can use it to buy cow’s milk, formula, baby food, fresh and frozen food – it’s a prepaid card that you use at the checkout,” Leila explained. “To be eligible for the scheme, you must have one child under four and be in receipt of one of these benefits – Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit (which includes the child addition).”
You can also apply by email or phone if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant and either:
Leila closed her advice: “Thousands of people don’t know this exists or that they actually qualify for this so it goes unclaimed. We all know with the rising cost of living, formula and healthy food in general is out of control, so even this little bit should help people.”
“How does this work and how do I apply?” one of Leila’s followers asked. She responded: “You can apply online, just type in healthy start vouchers apply.”
Another queried: “What about if you have one working parent?” Leila advised: “Take home pay has to be less than £400 a month.”
The NHS adds that the prepaid Healthy Start scheme card can also be used to collect
Meanwhile, the NHS also explains: “You can use your card in most places that sell milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables. This includes:
“They must display a Mastercard® symbol. The symbol is normally shown on the shop door or at the till. Ask an employee inside the shop if they take Mastercard if you’re unsure. If you try to spend the money anywhere else, the card will be declined. For example, you cannot use your card at a fast food restaurant.”
Full details of the scheme can be found here.
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