Families are missing out on vouchers worth £900

Healthy Start Campaign launched by Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, and Brighton and Hove City Councils Childrens Centres

Families in Brighton and Hove are missing out on food vouchers worth up to £900 per child.

Brighton and Hove Food Partnership says three in ten eligible families are not claiming healthy start vouchers which are used for milk, fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, formula milk, and free vitamins.

Emily O’Brien from the partnership said: “For families on a budget, the cost of healthy food can be a massive barrier to eating well.

“So many people are missing out on these vouchers simply because they don’t know about them.”

The charity started a city-wide campaign to raise awareness of the vouchers, worth up to £3.10 a week.

Families who claim certain benefits and are at least 10 weeks pregnant, or have children under four, can claim the vouchers.

Those who are under 18-years-old and pregnant can also claim the vouchers, even if they do not claim any benefits.

Those who have missed out on vouchers can now request for them to be backdated. Application forms are quick and easy and can be found at www.healthystart.nhs.uk