PARENTS and pregnant shoppers could be entitled to free fruit and veg from Tesco, Aldi and Asda – are you eligible?
Major supermarkets are offering the helpful boost to women from their 10th week of pregnancy, or anyone with a child aged four or under.
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The deal is provided under the NHS Healthy Start scheme, rolled out to support new and young families.
You will qualify if you receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credits or Income Support.
It can be worth up to £442 a year which could be a huge help with bills and cost of living on the rise.
What is the Healthy Start scheme?
Shoppers previously used vouchers to redeem at a number of supermarkets and grocers, including Tesco, Iceland and Aldi.
However, now more practical pre-paid cards are provided – which can be used at any location that accepts Mastercard.
These locations include:
- supermarkets
- convenience stores
- grocery stores
- drug stores and pharmacies
- markets
- dairy products stores
- butcher shops
- petrol stations
How much money added to the pre-paid cards will vary depending on your circumstances.
Pregnant women (from the 10th week) will receive £4.25 per week while shoppers with newborns or babies up to one will see £8.50.
Applicants get £4.25 per week for children aged between one and four.
The card can be used to buy a range of items including:
- plain liquid cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
Vitamins for babies and children up to four can also be bought on with the money.
Who is eligible for the scheme and how can I apply?
The scheme is not open to all new parents or pregnant women.
Applicants must be on certain benefits to be eligible, including:
- Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
- Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)
- Working Tax Credits run-on (which is paid for four weeks if your working hours or your partner or carer’s, go to less than 16 hours per week)
Or if:
- you’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
- you claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant
- you, your partner or your carer get Working Tax Credit run-on only after you have reported you’re working 16 hours or less per week
How do I apply?
To apply, you will need your:
- name
- address
- date of birth
- National Insurance number
- baby’s due date (if you’re pregnant)
- benefit award letter if you’re over 18
- If you already receive the vouchers, you need to sign up for the prepaid card system.
