The Scottish Government has launched a healthy foods payment card for use by pregnant women and families with babies and children, who receive certain low income benefits.
Scotland’s new ‘Best Start Foods’ payment card, which replaces the UK Government’s Healthy Start paper vouchers, works in a similar way to a bank card, allowing card-holders to buy a variety of healthy foods, including fresh eggs.
Eligible families on low income benefits will get £17 on their card every four weeks during pregnancy and for any children between one and three years old. For babies up to the age of one, the payment increases to £34.
Scotland’s Public Health Minister, Joe FitzPatrick (pictured above), commented: “This Government is committed to doing all it can to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland and give them the best start in life. That means ensuring low-income families can access the healthy foods that some may otherwise struggle to afford.
“Introducing a new payment card to replace paper vouchers will enable families to access this vital support without fear of stigma.”
Applications for new card is opened on Monday this week, with approved card-holders being helped to buy fresh eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables and fresh, frozen or tinned pulses.
