Free Fruit and Veg Boxes for Families Eligible for Healthy Start
6 / October
News 0 Comments

Free Fruit and Veg Boxes for Families Eligible for Healthy Start

Devon County Council are offering free boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables this Autumn, to help promote the national Healthy Start scheme – only about 50% of those eligible in Devon are currently receiving this important support and the Get a Healthy Start team want to try and help as many people as possible access the support they are entitled to.

As you may already know, the Healthy Start scheme is set to go digital in mid-autumn, and everyone will need to apply to receive it, even those who are already signed up – so there is a risk some families may lose the support they currently receive if they are unaware of the changes.

The Get a Healthy Start! promotion will provide FREE fruit and veg boxes to those who are eligible for Healthy Start within the Devon County Council area. The promotional boxes will contain:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • A booklet containing recipes, information on Healthy Start, and signposting
  • Healthy Start vitamins
  • Fun 10 minute shake-up games for children
  • Breastfeeding support information.

The eligibility criteria is below.

The boxes are available on a first come serve basis until 12pm on 24th September, or until all boxes have been allocated.

Families must order a box directly using the link below.

If you have any questions about the promotion or the Healthy Start scheme, please email publichealth-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Eligibility

You’ll qualify for the Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under 4.

In addition, you must be receiving any of the following:

  • 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 Credit

You will also be eligible for Healthy Start 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

To find out if your family earns £408 or less per month from employment whilst claiming Universal Credit, look at your ‘take-home pay for this period’ on your monthly Universal Credit award notice.

Order your Fruit & Veg Box from Get A Healthy Start