Fears many families in Humber region are missing out on health vouchers they're entitled to

Families in the Humber region are missing out on thousands of pounds of financial support to help them buy healthy food.

The “Healthy Start” voucher scheme helps people buy fruit, vegetables, milk, and claim free vitamins from 10 weeks into pregnancy until their child is four.

Joanna Melia is a Public Health Specialist Midwife at NHS Humber Health Partnership - she says there's so many health benefits from getting this voucher.

She told us: "This gives your baby the best start to life whilst also looking after your own health as well."

Lots of families who are struggling - this is a bit of a lifeline

"Good nutrition in the first 1001 days of life helps with brain development and again gives your child the best start to life."

"Lots of families who are struggling - this is a bit of a lifeline to those families."

"If you're pregnant you'll receive 4 pounds 25 a week."

"Once your baby's born up until the age of one you'll receive 8 pounds 50 a week."

I encourage everyone entitled to claim via the Health Start website

"Then from one year until the 4th birthday you'll receive four pounds 25 a week."

"You should be eligible if you're ten weeks pregnant or over and on Universal Credit."

"So you go onto the website and they'll ask you simple information."

"You'll need your national insurance number."

"Up to 350 thousand pounds are going unclaimed because people don't know they're eligible."

"They're unaware of Healthy Start."

"I encourage everyone entitled to claim via the Health Start website."

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