Over 1,200 families are missing out on extra funds for fruit, vegetable, milk, and health supplements offered by the NHS Healthy Start scheme. East Sussex County Council is urging people to check if they are eligible so they do not miss out on the free food, as well as vitamins that can support pregnant women and children. Currently, the council said families across the East Sussex are missing out on at least £270,000 of available funding annually.
READ MORE: Calls for train price freeze as season tickets could increase by hundreds of pounds Figures show that 247 families are missing out in Hastings, while 333 eligible families in Wealden are also failing to claim. In Rother and Lewes, 200 and 232 families respectively are eligible but have not joined the scheme, and in Eastbourne 220 families who qualify haven’t applied. Darrell Gale, East Sussex director of public health, said: "Approximately one in three eligible families in East Sussex are missing out on this vital funding which can help ensure they have access to healthy food, milk and vitamins.
"Good nutrition is very important for pregnant women and young children and the NHS Healthy Start scheme helps families to make healthy food choices. "I would urge pregnant women and families with children under four to check their eligibility and apply to the scheme." People who qualify for help will be sent a Healthy Start card with money loaded on it that can be used in shops such as supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, and pharmacies that display the Mastercard® symbol and sell healthy food and milk.
The Healthy Start card is topped up automatically every four weeks. Pregnant women will receive £4.25 each week of their pregnancy (from the tenth week), while families with young children aged between zero and four will get £8.
50 each week. Families who are eligible for the scheme with children between one and four-years-old will receive £4.25 each week.
The card can be used to buy plain liquid cow’s milk, fruit and vegetables, and infant formula milk based on cow’s milk. It can also be used to buy healthy vitamins. For more information on Healthy Start and details of how to apply visit www.
healthystart.nhs.uk/.
In addition to the Healthy Start scheme, children in Year 3 and above may qualify for free school meals if their parents or carers have a low household income and receive certain benefits. More information on this can be found at www.eastsussex.
gov.uk/education-learning/schools/school-life/school-meals/free-school-meals. Mr Gale said: “All children are entitled to free school meals in Reception, Year One and Year Two, but parents and carers are reminded to check if their child is eligible for free school meals in Year 3 and above.
“A healthy, well-balanced school meal at lunchtime can have a huge impact on energy levels and concentration and children who eat better, learn better. “I encourage families to see if their children may qualify for free school meals throughout their time at school.”.
