Struggling families missing out on £45million in food aid as thousands fail to take-up benefits worth up to £8.50-a-week, study shows

• The food support is available through the NHS Healthy Start scheme
• Scheme provides healthy foods to families with children and pregnant women 

Thousands of struggling families are missing out on a total of £45million a year in food support available through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

The scheme, which involves using a pre-paid card at the till, gives money off certain healthy foods and products to low income families with children and pregnant women.

However, research by Which? found take-up is such that many in need are missing out.

It is targeted at those in receipt of certain qualifying benefits.

They can receive top ups of £4.25 or £8.50 a week, depending on the age of their child.

Thousands of struggling families are missing out on a total of £45million a year in food support available through the NHS Healthy Start scheme. [File image] 

The scheme, which involves using a pre-paid card at the till, gives money off certain healthy foods and products to low income families with children and pregnant women. [File image] 

But experts at Which? found more than 200,000 eligible families are not taking advantage of it, with at least £880,000 going unclaimed each week – equivalent to £45.8million a year.

The Government has a target that 75 per cent of those eligible should be using the scheme, however the figure is currently 63.9 per cent in England and Wales. 

Which? urged the Government and supermarkets to step up efforts to promote Healthy Start – and to extend the number of those eligible to receive the discounts.

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