Help with health costs

5 mins read

This advice applies across the UK.

It is possible to qualify for help with health costs such as prescriptions, vouchers for glasses, dental treatment and reasonable travel costs to hospital for treatment.

Eligibility

You (and any dependent children included in your benefit claim) are entitled to help with NHS costs, such as prescriptions, glasses and dental work, if you receive one of the following means tested benefits:

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• Pension credit (guarantee credit).
• Universal Credit (but see below)

If you get Universal Credit, whether you qualify automatically for help with NHS costs depends on any earnings you have. You will not qualify for help automatically as a Universal Credit claimant if:

• Your Universal Credit award includes at least one child element and you (or your partner) have combined earnings of more than £935 per month.
• You or your partner have a limited capability for work and your combined earnings are more than £935 per month.
• Your award does not include a child element and neither you nor your partner have a limited capability for work, but you have combined earnings of more than £435 per month.

Even if you don’t qualify for help with NHS costs under the rules above, depending on where in the UK you live, you may still get help with some NHS costs.

Help with prescription charges

Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, prescriptions are free if you are either:

• Under 16.
• Under 19 and in full-time education.
• Aged 60 and over.
• Pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months.

They are also free to patients who have specified conditions. Find out more about prescription charges on the NHS website.

Sight tests and glasses

You qualify for free NHS eyesight tests and vouchers for glasses or contact lenses if either you:

• Are under 16, or under 19 in full-time education.
• Need complex or powerful lenses.

You can get free NHS sight tests if you are:

• Aged 60 or over.
• Registered with a visual impairment or partially sighted or have glaucoma or diabetes (or are 40 and above and a close relative of someone with glaucoma or diabetes).
• A patient of a hospital eye department.
• Living in Scotland.

Free NHS dental treatment

In Scotland, dental examinations (but not treatment) are free to everyone. Dental examinations are free in Wales if you are aged under 25 or over 60.

In England you can qualify for free dental treatment if you are either:

• Under 18.
• Under 19 and in full-time non-advanced education.
• Pregnant or have given birth in the last year.
• In certain circumstances, a hospital dentist service patient.

Travel to hospital for treatment

If you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premises for treatment or tests, you may be able to get help with reasonable travel costs. You can claim for the travel costs of a carer or escort as long as your health professional confirms that this is medically necessary. You may qualify for help automatically if you get any of the benefits mentioned above or by applying under the NHS low Income Scheme – see below.

Normally the NHS will only refund the cheapest, most appropriate mode of transport. This usually means public transport. If you used your car and your claim is approved, you will be reimbursed for the cost of fuel at a mileage rate calculated by the local Integrated Care Board. You can also claim any unavoidable parking or toll charges.

If you plan to use a taxi you should discuss this in advance with the hospital or Integrated Care Board.

Normally you are expected to pay for your own travel and claim back the costs within three months. , but in some cases you may be able to get an advance payment. Remember to hold onto your receipts as you will need this, along with proof of your benefit entitlement, to claim back your expenses from the cashier at the hospital or clinic you attend. More information about the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme is available on the NHS website.

This scheme only covers travel to hospital for treatment. It does not help with travel to visit someone else. If you need help with the costs of travel to hospital as a visitor, you will need to apply to charitable trusts for help.

NHS Low Income scheme

If you do not qualify for help with NHS costs automatically under the rules set out above, you may be able to get some help with NHS costs via the NHS low income scheme. You can only apply if your capital is no more than £16,000. Whether you get help and the amount will depend on your income and your outgoings.

Complete an HC1 form online in order to apply.

NHS help with costs eligibility checker

Visit the NHS website to check whether your eligible for help with costs using their online tool.

Related information

Health & medical information

Information about medical conditions, diagnosis and health services.

Read more

Help with education costs

Information about free school meals, help with uniform costs, school transport, EMA and the 16-19 bursary, and the Disabled Students' Allowance.

Read more

Benefits

You may be entitled to certain benefits and tax credits that may help with the extra costs you face.

Read more