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What is covered

You may be able to get help with health costs like:

Who is eligible

You may get help with the cost of charges if at least one of the following applies.

You are getting or are included in an award of:

You may also get help with the cost of charges if:

• you are named on a valid NHS Exemption Certificate (HC2 for full help, HC3 for partial help with the cost excluding prescriptions)
• you're 60 or over (for NHS prescriptions and NHS sight tests)
• you're under 16, under 18 for NHS dental treatment
• you're under 19 and still in full-time education
• you suffer from a listed medical condition (for free NHS prescriptions only), for more information contact the Health Cost advice line on 0845 850 1166
• you have a maternity exemption certificate (for NHS dental treatment and NHS prescription charges)
• you get a war or service disablement pension or need prescriptions or NHS treatment for your accepted disability
• you're a prisoner in England

• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance

Help if you're on a low income

NHS Low Income Scheme

If none of the above apply and you're on a low income you may be able to get help with costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

The amount of help you get will depend on the amount of income you have, but you may not be entitled to any help if your savings are above the limits shown below.

You can't get help if:

• you live permanently in a care home and have £22,250 in property, savings or other money
• you, or your partner or civil partner together have £16,000 in property (excluding the place where you live), savings or other money

How to claim

You'll need to complete form HC1 from a Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. You may also be able to get an HC1 from your doctor, dentist or optician.

You can also get an HC1 by contacting the NHS Forms order line on 0845 610 1112 or by email at the following address: 

nhsforms@spsl.uk.com

For more information about how to claim, please contact the Health Cost advice line on 0845 850 1166.

What happens if your circumstances change

If your circumstances change, for example you reach age 19 or you no longer get any of the benefits listed, your entitlement to health cost benefits may stop.

Please contact the Health Cost advice line on 0845 850 1166 to check your entitlement.

If you need lots of prescriptions

If you are not entitled to free prescriptions and you think you will have to pay for more than 3 items in 3 months or 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a Pre-payment Certificate (PPC).

To get more information, to apply or check the cost of a PPC please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website or contact the PPC advice line on 0845 850 0030.

• NHS Business Services Authority Opens new window

What else you need to know

If you want more information about NHS charges in England, Scotland and Wales, download a booklet HC11 from the Department of Health website.

If you need more advice about getting help with health costs, contact the Health Cost advice line on 0845 850 1166 or your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

• Download the NHS booklet HC11 'Help with health costs' (opens new window) Opens new window
• Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau office Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

More useful links

• Hospital travel costs scheme
• Help with NHS charges - Department of Health Opens new window
• Guide to financial support for disabled people (disabled people section)
• Crisis Loans - money for an emergency
• Guide to support and your everyday health (over 50s section)