Milk tokens replaced by Healthy Start vouchers from 27 November 2006

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Healthy Start vouchers - the replacement for Milk tokens

Healthy Start is a scheme providing vouchers that can be exchanged for cow's milk (including infant formula milk) and fresh fruit and vegetables. Since November 2006 it has replaced the old Welfare Food Scheme that provided milk tokens to people on a low income who qualified.

You can use the vouchers in shops such as chemists, corner shops, food co-ops, market stalls and supermarkets that are taking part in the scheme.

Do I qualify?

If you were receiving milk tokens, from now on you will automatically get Healthy Start vouchers instead. Milk tokens were paid for children aged up to five years but Healthy Start vouchers are only for children aged up to four years, so if you were receiving milk tokens for a child aged between four and five, you will not receive Healthy Start vouchers.

If you are pregnant and under 18 years, you qualify for the vouchers whether or not you are entitled to any benefits or tax credits.

Otherwise, you will qualify if you are pregnant and/or have a child aged under four years and you are entitled to:

Income Support; or
income-based Jobseekers Allowance; or
Child Tax Credit and you are not working 16 or more hours a week and your income is less than £14,155 a year (some income does not count, for example, child maintenance).

How much are the vouchers worth?

The vouchers are worth £2.80 each and you will receive:

one voucher a week for yourself if you are pregnant;
one voucher a week for each child between one and four years; and
two vouchers a week for a baby under one year old. Babies who are born before their estimated date of delivery will receive two vouchers until one year after their estimated date of delivery.

If you use infant formula, you may be worse off under this new scheme as the vouchers will no longer meet the actual cost.

How do I apply?

You can get an application form from www.healthystart.nhs.uk or from your local Jobcentre Plus office. Your midwife, health visitor or other health professional will need to sign part of the form.

For more information see www.healthystart.nhs.uk or call the Lone Parent Helpline on 0800 018 5026.

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