GOT MILK
How to get free milk from supermarkets like Iceland, Tesco and Aldi
You can get up to £442 a year
PARENTS with young kids can claim free milk from supermarkets and retailers through a Government scheme.
The support comes via the NHS' Healthy Start scheme, but not everyone is eligible.
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You only qualify if you are on certain benefits such as Universal Credit or Income Support.
Here's everything you need to know about the scheme.
Who is eligible for Healthy Start?
You must be on one of the following benefits:
- 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)
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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
- 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 access the money?
Healthy Start used to be issued via paper vouchers, but those eligible now receive a prepaid card.
You can use the card in most places where food is sold, including supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi and Iceland.
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You can also swipe it at a number of convenience stores, pharmacies, markets, butchers shops and petrol stations.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card which is topped up every four weeks.
How to find the best bargains at the supermarket
You can then swipe it at the tills to get money off your shop.
How much will I get?
You’ll get £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week, £8.50 each week for children from birth to one, and £4.25 each week for children between one and four.
That's as much as £442 worth of free food over the year for each child.
Your money will stop when your child is four, or if you no longer receive benefits.
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
What can I buy with it?
You can use your card to buy plain cow's milk or baby formula milk, and it can also be used to buy fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh, dried, and tinned pulses.
You can also use the card to get free vitamin supplements. These are tablets for women and drops for children.
How do I apply?
You can apply online by visiting the .
If you can't apply online, or you need help applying, you can contact NHS Healthy Start on 0300 330 7010 or by emailing [email protected]
To apply, you will need your:
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- 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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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