Help with health costs

If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be exempt from health charges. If you have a low income, you may be able to get help to pay health costs through the low income scheme. These costs include:

• Prescriptions charges  
• Dental charges
• Eye tests and the costs of glasses
• Help with fares to visit hospital
• Costs of NHS wigs and fabric supports.

Who is exempt?

People exempt from paying health charges include those who are:

• aged under 16 (or those aged under 19 and in full time education)
• getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit
• getting Child Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit which includes an amount for disability or severe disability and your income is less than a specified amount
• are the partner or family member of someone getting the benefits listed above

People aged 60 or over are entitled to free prescriptions and sight tests.

How to claim

If you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit, you will be asked to sign a declaration form when you access health services.

To find out more about the low income sheme or to claim help, ask for form HC1 from your local Jobcentre Plus office, health services or call the Health Benefits Division on 0845 850 1166.