How to Get Help with NHS Health Costs

There are many situations in which you may be eligible for help with costs under the NHS or National Health Service. The following services and products may be discounted or free if you meet certain criteria:

• Drug prescriptions
• NHS dental treatment and check-ups
• Eyesight tests
• Glasses and contact lenses
• Travel to and from hospital if having NHS treatment
• Support materials such as back or leg support garments and wigs

Drug Prescriptions

Prescriptions for medicines are free if at the time the prescription is dispensed you:

• are over 60 and an old aged pensioner
• are under the age of 16
• are under the age of 19 and still in full time education
• have a listed medical condition and have a medical exemption certificate
• are entitled to a War Disability Pension and have a disability exemption certificate
• are a prisoner
• or your partner receive income related benefits such as Income Support and Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance

If none of these criteria are relevant to you and you are on a low income you may still be exempt from some prescription charges. If you are in need of regular prescriptions and do not qualify for exemption from charges, a prepayment certificate may be of use.

Prepayment certificates

These can help you save money in the long term and last for either four or twelve months. Make sure that you do not qualify for free help before you purchase one. Prepayment certificates in England are available from:

• your local pharmacist
• your Primary Care Trust
• The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA). Visit their website at www.ppa.org.uk

In Wales, the Local Health Board can provide you with form WP95 in order to buy a prepayment certificate. Pharmacies and some GPs can also help. In Scotland, a prepayment certificate can be bought at a pharmacy or from your GP.

NHS dental treatment and check-ups

Dental treatment and check-ups are free if at the beginning of treatment you or your partner receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. You may also qualify for free treatment if you are:

• under 18
• pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months.
• a prisoner
• an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist

In all cases proof that you are entitled to free treatment is required. If your circumstances change during treatment you may still be eligible to receive free treatment. If you are on a low income and none of these criteria apply, you may still be able to get free dental treatment.

Eyesight tests

NHS sight tests are free to people who claim Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. Otherwise, you can get free eyesight tests if you are:

• under 16
• under 19 and in full-time education
• 60 or over
• registered blind or partially sighted
• a war pensioner in need of sight tests due to disabilities sustained during war

You may also qualify for free treatment if you have been advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of developing glaucoma. If you are on low income and none of these criteria are relevant, you may still be eligible to receive help towards a private sight test

Help with costs of glasses and contact lenses

You can get help towards glasses and lenses if you claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. You may also qualify for support if you are under 16 or under 19 and in full-time education. If you are entitled to help towards the cost of prescription glasses or contact lenses, you will get an NHS optical voucher.

Travel to and from hospital if having NHS treatment

You can get help towards travel costs if you claim Income Support or Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance. Certain benefits come with Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit schemes, but they are dependent on income. Also if you get a war or disability pension and need to go to hospital to get treated for the disability you may also qualify for assistance. Anyone who travels with you to hospital can get their costs paid also. If you are on low income and none of these criteria are relevant, you may still be eligible to receive help towards travel costs.

Support materials, garments and wigs

If you have been prescribed an NHS support garment or wig, it is free if you claim Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance. This also applies to your family. If you are under 16, or aged 19 and in full time education, you may also be eligible. If you have been supplied a support garment by the hospital, or if you have a war disability or are a prisoner, you may also qualify. If you are on a low income and none of these criteria are relevant, you may still be able to receive free wigs and support garments.

What happens if you are on a low income?

The NHS Low Income Scheme means that people who are having trouble with the costs of health charges may get help. This is dependent on the income you receive and if you have too much you will get less help. Help comes in the form of a Full Help Certificate (HC2) or a Limited Help Certificate (HC3). To apply, get a form HC1 from your local benefit office, hospital, dentist, optician or pharmacist. The completed HC1 form must be sent to: Health Benefits Division, Sandyford House, Archbold Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1DB