Families missing out on free food scheme
Leeds City Council has said almost 3,000 households could be missing out on a free food scheme.
Healthy Start is an NHS scheme which helps women who are pregnant or have young children and are receiving benefits.
Those who qualify receive a prepaid card enabling them to buy milk, fruit and vegetable.
The council said about 8,000 families in the city could be eligible but only 68% of them are using the scheme.
Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's executive member for adult social care, public health and active lifestyles, said: “The Healthy Start scheme is there to help families increase the amount of fruit and vegetables they eat, and give their children a great start in life.
"We know that a good diet in pregnancy and in the first few years of life is essential for prevention of disease and to ensure children reach their full potential for growth and development."
To qualify for Healthy Start, people have to be at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years, and be in receipt of a range of benefits such as Income Support, or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Those under 18 and pregnant also qualify even if they are not in receipt of benefits or tax credits.
In Leeds, 24.6% of children are living in families on relative low income, according to council figures.
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said it was important to ensure "every child in Leeds has the right conditions for the best start in life".
"The Healthy Start scheme can be a lifeline for many pregnant women and families with children under 4 in Leeds, acting as a nutritional safety net and enabling them to buy more milk, fruit and vegetables and claim vitamins.”
The council is urging people to check if they qualify for the scheme and to register if they are.
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