Sainsbury’s is offering many customers £52 off their shopping amid the cost of living crisis.
The extra cash can be put towards fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, at a time when food prices are soaring. To be eligible for the top-up, shoppers need to be registered for the NHS Healthy Start scheme.
This is aimed at encouraging a healthier diet for for pregnant women, babies and young children under four from low-income households.
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Earlier this week, Sainsbury's said it will top up the Government scheme by £2 a week, or £52 over six months, in a move that could help feed more than half a million pregnant women and children in need of support over the coming months.
From today (October 12), the supermarket giant will provide a £2 coupon every week over the next six months to customers using a Healthy Start card in Sainsbury’s.
Sainsbury’s first introduced the £2 top-up coupon in 2021, helping families during February half term and beyond. The coupon was then reintroduced throughout the winter to provide extra help to those who may be struggling over the Christmas period.
Ruth Cranston, Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at Sainsbury’s said, “We know that times are tough for millions of families across the country, and that the rising cost-of-living is causing uncertainty for many of our customers, so we’ve announced that we’ll be topping up the Government funded NHS Healthy Start scheme by £2 for the third time.
"As part of our brand promise Helping Everyone Eat Better, we believe that everyone deserves to eat well, and the cost of healthy food shouldn’t be a barrier to this. We hope this additional support will ensure that good, quality food is accessible for everyone.”
Who is eligible for the Healthy Start scheme?
You’ll qualify for the Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under four.
In addition, you must be receiving any of the following:
- Child Tax Credit (only if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
- Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment)
You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if:
- you’re under 18 and pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
- you claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant
- you, your partner or your carer get Working Tax Credit run-on only after you have reported you’re working 16 hours or less per week
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