The Healthy Start scheme provides financial help for healthy food, milk and vitamins to eligible pregnant people and families with children under four. While uptake in Suffolk has increased from 50% in 2022 to 77% in 2024, we know more than 1,000 eligible families are still missing out. SCC is working alongside District and Borough councils across Suffolk to raise awareness of the scheme locally and help ensure eligible families access the support available to them.
Eligible families can receive:
- £4.65 per week during pregnancy (from 10 weeks)
- £9.30 per week for children under one
- £4.65 per week for children aged one to four
Over a child’s first four years, this could be worth around £1,000 per child, alongside access to free vitamins.
You can help by:
- sharing campaign messages on social media using the National Healthy Start Promotion Toolkit online link or pdf attached
- including information about Healthy Start in your newsletters and bulletins
- adding information to your website or community noticeboards
- encouraging eligible families to check whether they qualify How to apply – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
Healthy Start is available to families who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old, with a monthly ‘take-home pay’ (also called ‘earned income’) of £408 or less from employment or in receipt of Universal Credit. All pregnant under 18’s are eligible.
Suffolk has extended the vitamin scheme for families who are not eligible due to their immigration status, visit your local Family Hub for more information.
Families can check eligibility and apply at https://link.edgepilot.com/x/K3lQsD25cLveg_HdkwbvHIY?u=http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/ or call 0345 607 6823 for support and translation services.
Thank you for helping us raise awareness and ensure more Suffolk families access the support they are entitled to.