OVER 1,200 families in East Sussex are missing out on extra funds for milk, fruit and vegetables, as well as access to free vitamins.

Families are being urged to check if they are eligible for help to buy milk and food through the NHS Healthy Start initiative.

The NHS scheme also provides free Healthy Start vitamins to support women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children which are suitable from birth to 4 years old.

Women who are over 10 weeks pregnant as well as families with a child under 4 and who are in receipt of certain benefits can apply for the scheme.

It is estimated that eligible families across the county are missing out on at least £270,000 of available funding every year.

Figures show that 247 families are missing out in Hastings while 333 eligible families in Wealden are also failing to claim.

In Rother and Lewes, 200 and 232 families respectively are eligible but have not joined the scheme, and in Eastbourne 220 families who qualify haven’t applied.

Darrell Gale, East Sussex Director of Public Health, said: “Approximately one in three eligible families in East Sussex are missing out on this vital funding which can help ensure they have access to healthy food, milk and vitamins.

“Good nutrition is very important for pregnant women and young children and the NHS Healthy Start scheme helps families to make healthy food choices.

“I would urge pregnant women and families with children under 4 to check their eligibility and apply to the scheme.”

People who qualify for help will be sent a Healthy Start card with money loaded on it that can be used in shops such as supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations, and pharmacies that display the Mastercard® symbol and sell healthy food and milk.

The Healthy Start card is topped up automatically every four weeks.

Pregnant women will receive £4.25 each week of their pregnancy (from the tenth week). Families with young children will get £8.50 each week for children from birth to 1 year old, and £4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4 years old.

The card can be used to buy plain liquid cow’s milk; fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables; fresh, dried, and tinned pulses; and infant formula milk based on cow’s milk.

In addition to the Healthy Start scheme, children in Year 3 and above may qualify for free school meals if their parents or carers have a low household income and receive certain benefits.

Mr Gale added: “All children are entitled to free school meals in Reception, Year One and Year Two, but parents and carers are reminded to check if their child is eligible for free school meals in Year 3 and above.

“A healthy, well-balanced school meal at lunchtime can have a huge impact on energy levels and concentration and children who eat better, learn better.

“I encourage families to see if their children may qualify for free school meals throughout their time at school.”

For more information on Healthy Start and details of how to apply visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk/.

To apply for free school meals and find out more, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/education-learning/schools/school-life/school-meals/free-school-meals. Parents can also email the free school meals team for further information Free.SchoolMeals@eastsussex.gov.uk.