Milk Token Scheme



The milk token scheme was created by the UK government in order to help pregnant women and women with children under the age of four. Milk tokens are provided to women in order to allow them to purchase milk for free, the tokens can be exchanged for full fat milk or instant formula milk.

Milk is highly important to pregnant women as the vitamins within the milk is crucial for the development of a baby. Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins which is required, this is readily available in milk. The government recognised that it is crucially important that milk is consumed by pregnant women and babies, although not all women or families will be in the financial position to purchase milk.

Women who are on benefits and pregnant may be entitled to claim milk tokens, although this will be dependent upon their partners earnings and also the assets they hold. Mothers who have children under the age of four and claim benefits are also entitled to claim milk tokens up until a child is four years old. Once a baby turns one the milk tokens change from milk tokens to being infant tokens, this will be automatically updated and therefore the mother does not have to make any changes. As well as mothers on benefits being entitled to milk tokens, women who are under the age of eighteen and pregnant are also in a position to claim milk tokens.

The vouchers can not be used to purchased fruit and vegetables which contain added fats such as oil, salt, sugar or any other ingredients which are not deemed to be healthy such as over chips or seasoned stir frys. People who receive the vouchers but are unaware whether a product is suitable should check the pack of the food for added ingredients before purchasing. These products are not allowed as they do not provide the essential vitamins which are required for child growth.

How much the vouchers are worth depends on the circumstances of an individual. If an individual is pregnant and receiving milk tokens, the value of the vouchers will be £3.10 per week. If the claimant is claiming the milk tokens for babies under the age of one the amount the tokens will be worth is £6.20 per baby under the age of one. For babies over one year old but under four years old, the amount the tokens will be worth is £3.10.

There is a helpline which can be used by mothers in order to gain support and information surrounding the upbringing of their children. This helpline should also be used in order to update the Inland Revenue of any changes in personal circumstances.