Benefits for Specific Situations — Students, Carers, Veterans and More

Help with NHS Costs UK — Free Prescriptions, Dental and Eye Tests

Guide to free NHS services and reduced costs. Who qualifies for free prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and how to claim help with health costs.

· · 4 min read

Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

NHS care is mostly free, but some services have charges. Here’s how to get help with costs.

Prescription Costs

Who Gets Free Prescriptions

Exempt If You’re…Details
Aged 60 or overAutomatic
Under 16Automatic
16-18 in full-time educationNeed proof
PregnantNeed certificate (MatEx)
Had baby in last 12 monthsNeed certificate
Certain medical conditionsNeed certificate (MedEx)
War pensioner (for condition)For accepted disability

Medical Conditions That Qualify

ConditionFree Prescriptions?
Diabetes (not diet-controlled)Yes
HypothyroidismYes
Epilepsy requiring medicationYes
Cancer (and effects of treatment)Yes
Permanent fistulaYes
HypoparathyroidismYes
Diabetes insipidusYes
Myasthenia gravisYes
Addison’s diseaseYes

Apply using form FP92A from your GP.

Low Income Exemptions

Benefit/StatusFree Prescriptions?
Tax Credits + HC2Yes
Universal Credit (nil income)Yes
Income SupportYes
Income-based JSAYes
Income-based ESAYes
Pension Credit (Guarantee)Yes
NHS Low Income Scheme HC2Yes

By Country

CountryCost
England£9.90 per item
ScotlandFree
WalesFree
Northern IrelandFree

Prepayment Certificates (England)

TypeCostBest If
3-month PPC£32.05Need 4+ items in 3 months
12-month PPC£111.60Need 12+ items in year
Monthly payments£9.30/monthSpread cost

Buy online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc or call 0300 330 1341.

NHS Dental Charges

Treatment Bands (England)

BandCostWhat’s Included
Band 1£26.80Examination, diagnosis, cleaning, X-rays
Band 2£73.50Above plus fillings, extractions, root canal
Band 3£319.10Above plus crowns, bridges, dentures

Free NHS Dental Care

Exempt If…Details
Under 18Or under 19 in full-time education
PregnantOr had baby in last 12 months
Receiving certain benefitsIS, income-based JSA/ESA, Pension Credit, UC (nil income)
HC2 certificateFull help
Named on valid Tax Credit NHS exemptionCheck eligibility

By Country

CountryCharges
England3 bands as above
ScotlandFree for under 26s, band system for others
WalesFree for under 25s and over 60s, bands for others
Northern IrelandSimilar band system

Eye Care

Free NHS Eye Tests

Exempt If…Details
Under 16Or under 19 in full-time education
Aged 60 or overAutomatic
Diagnosed glaucomaOr at risk (over 40 with family history)
DiabeticFor glaucoma screening
Registered blind/partially sightedYes
On certain benefitsIS, JSA, ESA (income-based), UC, Pension Credit
HC2 certificateYes
Prisoner on leaveYes

Help with Glasses/Contacts

Who QualifiesHelp Available
ChildrenNHS vouchers
Complex lenses neededNHS vouchers
On certain benefitsNHS vouchers
HC2/HC3 certificateFull or partial help

NHS Optical Vouchers

CategoryVoucher Value
Basic single vision£41.80+
More complexHigher values
Contact lensesVaries

NHS Low Income Scheme

What Is It?

FeatureDetails
ForPeople on low income not on qualifying benefits
CertificatesHC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help)
CoversPrescriptions, dental, optical, travel
AssessmentBased on income and savings

Who Should Apply

Apply If…Details
Low incomeBelow certain thresholds
Not on qualifying benefitsBut still struggling
High health costsMany prescriptions, dental work needed

How to Apply

StepAction
1Get form HC1
2Fill in income/savings details
3Send to NHS BSA
4Receive HC2 or HC3 certificate
5Show certificate when getting treatment

Where to Get HC1 Form

LocationDetails
Onlinenhsbsa.nhs.uk
Jobcentre PlusPaper form
NHS hospitalsAsk at reception
Some pharmaciesMay have copies

What Counts in Assessment

CountsDoesn’t Count
IncomeFirst £6,000 savings
Partner’s incomeMain home value
Some savings (over £6,000)Some disability benefits

Travel Costs

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

Who Can ClaimDetails
HC2 certificate holdersFull travel costs
HC3 certificate holdersPartial help
Receiving certain benefitsCheck eligibility

How to Claim

StepAction
1Keep travel receipts
2Get HC5 form at hospital
3Submit claim
4Reimbursement processed

Wigs and Fabric Supports

NHS Charges

ItemCharge
Wig (acrylic)£77.85
Wig (partial human hair)£197.30
Full human hair wig£298.75
Fabric support£47.40

Exemptions

Exempt If…Details
Same groups as prescriptionsSee prescription exemptions
InpatientWhen supplied during stay
Under 16Or under 19 in education

Summary: Help with NHS Costs

Quick Eligibility Check

You May Get Help If…What To Do
Over 60Automatic for most things
Under 16/19 in educationAutomatic
Pregnant/new babyGet MatEx certificate
Medical conditionApply for MedEx
On qualifying benefitsShow proof
Low incomeApply for HC2/HC3

Key Documents to Get

DocumentWhat It’s For
MatEx (maternity exemption)Free prescriptions/dental during pregnancy
MedEx (medical exemption)Free prescriptions for conditions
HC2/HC3Help with all health costs
PPCSave on prescription costs

Useful Contacts

ServiceContact
NHS Low Income Scheme0300 330 1343
PPC ordering0300 330 1341
NHS websitenhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs

Check your eligibility — many people pay for NHS services they could get free or reduced.

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Sources

  1. GOV.UK — Benefits
  2. Citizens Advice — Benefits