More than 200,000 households are missing out on free food vouchers amid the cost of living crisis, according to a recent investigation. The research, by consumer group Which?, found families were losing out on more than £880,000 worth of the vouchers. The NHS Healthy Start scheme gives those who qualify a prepaid card offering between £4.25 and £8.50 a week, or between £17 and £34 a month, to spend on food for their families. But due to low take-up, around £45million a year of extra support is lost, Which? said. The consumer group said that uptake of the scheme stands at just 63.9 per cent which is very much behind the Government’s target of 75 per cent for March 2023. A similar scheme in Scotland, the Best Start Foods scheme, has an estimated take up rate of 88 per cent by comparison. Which says the £45million calculation is based on the lowest voucher amount of £4.25 going unclaimed each week by more than 207,000 families. In reality, the consumer group says "much more" could be going unclaimed. Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer rights and food policy, said: "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." The Healthy Start scheme provides food vouchers to pregnant women and families with young children who are both on a low income and qualifying benefits. People who are eligible can use the vouchers to buy things such as fruit, vegetables, dairy milk infant formula and vitamins. The Healthy Start scheme is available to people living in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. You have to be more than 10 weeks pregnant to access the help or have a child under the age of four years. To get the help you will also need to be claiming at least one of the following benefits: You can also apply for the scheme if you are under 18 years and pregnant, even if you’re not claiming any benefits, or you claim income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) and you’re over 10 weeks pregnant. Scotland’s Best Start Foods scheme has similar but slightly different eligibility criteria. In Scotland, you can claim if you’re pregnant or have a child under three years old. Those eligible for the scheme In England, Wales and Northern Ireland can get: In Scotland, the amount you get paid depends on the age of your child. These payments are: You can use your prepaid card in most places that sell milk, infant formula, vegetables and fruit, according to the NHS website. This includes: If you claim Universal Credit then you can apply for the Healthy Start Scheme online through the NHS website.