Potentially thousands of households across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are failing to claim free food vouchers that could total as much as £442.

Over 200,000 households have previously been alerted that they may not be taking advantage of the Healthy Start programme.

This NHS initiative provides assistance to low-income families with young children and expectant mothers who are receiving qualifying benefits.

The programme can be utilized to purchase nutritious items including milk, baby formula, and fresh produce.

Qualified participants may receive weekly payments of either £4.25 or £8.50 depending on their child’s age.

Those who are pregnant for at least ten weeks, or have a child under four years old, and receive Income Support, Universal Credit, or Working Tax Credit run-on without Child Tax Credit, or Pension Credit containing the child addition, can apply via email or telephone.

Application is also possible through email or phone for those who are at least ten weeks pregnant and either under 18 years old without benefits, receiving Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit with a household annual income of £16,190 or less, or obtaining income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Full eligibility requirements can be viewed and applications submitted online.

Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer rights and food policy, previously stated: “The Healthy Start scheme has potential to help many hard-up families who are struggling with the unrelenting cost of living crisis and have had to skip meals or use food banks as a result.

However, poor take-up means millions of pounds’ worth of help is going unclaimed.

There is an important role for the government to expand the scheme and increase its value, but we’re also calling on supermarkets to help customers by better promoting what is available and providing extra top-ups for those who use the scheme.

Supermarkets also need to make it easier for all customers to work out which items offer the best value for money, by making sure their pricing is clear and easily comparable between items.

Supermarkets must ensure everyone has access to basic, affordable food ranges, especially in areas where they are most needed.