British children could be entitled to nearly £10 a week
The Healthy Start scheme, which aims to provide children with nutritious meals irrespective of their parents’ financial situation, is urging parents with children under four years old to check their eligibility. This follows an extension of the eligibility criteria last year by the Department of Health and Social Care, designed to enable more families to access government funds and afford healthy meals for their youngest children.
The scheme provides up to £8.50 per week for every child in the family under one year old and £4.25 each week for every child aged between one and four years old. Pregnant individuals can also receive £4.25 for each week of their pregnancy after the 10th week.
To be eligible, your child must be a British citizen, although you don’t have to be. In most cases, you’ll need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit or Income Support. However, there are exceptions, for instance, if you are under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, you can qualify even without claiming these benefits, according to Turn2Us.
The recent extension has also made it possible for parents without any immigration status or those with a condition on their immigration status that restricts their access to public benefits, known as a ‘no recourse to public funds’ or NRPF condition, to apply. Typically, people with this condition are temporary migrants who may be visiting, working or studying in the UK, as well as asylum seekers.
There are a few additional eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for the extension:
- You don’t have an immigration status or have an NRPF condition.
- Your child under the age of four is British.
- Your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month.
It’s also worth noting that if you have access to public funds, such as benefits, but have simply been denied when you applied for them is not the same thing as an NRPF condition. Being denied previous benefit applications for other reasons will usually not make you eligible for the extension.
Unlike the original scheme, the extension doesn’t include pregnant women. You can also only apply under the extension over email, and not using the process set out on the NHS website. More information on how to apply for the extension can be found on the DHSC website.
Both the original and extended Healthy Start scheme provide the same amount of support. Both also pay out every four weeks with the money going directly onto the Healthy Start card you will receive if your application is successful.
The card can only be used to buy certain items to ensure it’s providing the healthiest start for the youngest Brits. This includes plain cow’s milk, vegetables, some infant formula and vitamins.
Not telling the DHSC of a change of circumstances that means you’re no longer eligible will be treated with similar punishments regardless of whether you’re receiving the extension or original scheme This can include civil against or criminal sanctions as well as being required to return any money they wrongfully collected.
