Financial Help With Health Costs (England)

Understanding Help With Health Costs

You may be entitled to help with:

• NHS prescription charges
• NHS dental treatment
• NHS sight tests
• Glasses and contact lens vouchers
• Travel costs for NHS treatment
• Wigs and fabric supports
• Healthy Start payments
• Maternity exemption certificates
• NHS Low Income Scheme support

Official NHS guidance:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/

Free Prescriptions

Some people qualify for free NHS prescriptions in England.

You may qualify if you are eligible because of your:

• age
• pregnancy or recent birth (with a valid maternity exemption certificate)
• qualifying medical condition
• qualifying benefits
• NHS Low Income Scheme certificate (HC2)
• certain war pensions

Always carry valid evidence if required and ensure any exemption claimed is correct.

Official information:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/prescription-costs/

NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) helps people on a low income with NHS health costs.

Depending on your circumstances, you may receive:

HC2 Certificate

Provides full help with:

• NHS prescriptions
• NHS dental treatment
• NHS sight tests
• Optical vouchers
• Travel costs for NHS treatment
• Wigs and fabric supports

HC3 Certificate

Provides partial help towards eligible NHS health costs.

Eligibility depends on your income, savings and circumstances.

Official information:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Travel Costs to NHS Appointments

If you are referred for NHS treatment and receive certain qualifying benefits or have an HC2 certificate, you may be able to claim back reasonable travel costs through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

You may be able to claim for:

• bus fares
• train fares
• mileage
• parking (where appropriate)
• taxi costs in limited circumstances where clinically appropriate or approved

Ask the hospital cashier's office or patient services before leaving if you think you may qualify.

Official information:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

Healthy Start Scheme

The Healthy Start Scheme helps eligible pregnant people and families with young children buy healthy food and vitamins.

Eligible families may receive a prepaid Healthy Start card to spend on items such as:

• milk
• infant formula
• fruit
• vegetables
• pulses

You may also qualify for free Healthy Start vitamins.

Official information:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

Maternity Exemption Certificate

If you are pregnant or have given birth within the previous 12 months, you may qualify for a Maternity Exemption Certificate.

This allows eligible people to receive free NHS prescriptions during pregnancy and for 12 months after the baby's expected or actual birth date (subject to the scheme rules).

Apply through your:

• GP
• Midwife
• Maternity service

Official information:

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/free-prescriptions-and-dental-care/

HC2 & HC3 Certificates

After applying to the NHS Low Income Scheme:

HC2 Certificate

You receive full financial help with eligible NHS health costs.

HC3 Certificate

You receive partial financial help.

Always:

• Keep your certificate safe.
• Check the expiry date.
• Renew before it expires if you remain eligible.
• Tell the NHS if your circumstances change.

Help for Children and Families

Children may qualify for free NHS healthcare costs depending on:

• age
• education status
• family benefits
• NHS Low Income Scheme eligibility
• Healthy Start eligibility

Parents should:

• Keep exemption certificates safe.
• Bring relevant documents to appointments if required.
• Ask GP practices or pharmacies about financial support.
• Check eligibility regularly.

Help for Disabled People and Long-Term Conditions

People with disabilities or long-term health conditions may qualify for additional support through:

• NHS Low Income Scheme
• Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Adult Social Care support
• NHS Continuing Healthcare (where eligible)

If regular hospital attendance is required, ask whether travel costs can be reimbursed.

Legal Rights

You have rights under the NHS Constitution for England to:

• access NHS services fairly
• receive clear information about charges
• receive information about financial support
• be treated with dignity and respect
• make complaints
• request accessible information
• receive reasonable adjustments where needed

Official:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Equality & Accessibility Rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, NHS organisations must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

You can request:

• Easy Read information
• large print
• Braille
• audio information
• British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter
• spoken language interpreter
• assistance completing forms
• longer appointments
• support from an advocate
• communication support

The Accessible Information Standard requires NHS organisations to identify and meet communication needs.

Official:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

Evidence Standards

Keep copies of:

• HC2 or HC3 certificates
• Prescription exemption certificates
• Healthy Start award letters
• Travel receipts
• Appointment letters
• Benefit award letters
• Maternity exemption certificate
• NHS Low Income Scheme applications
• Emails and correspondence
• Complaint letters

When claiming reimbursement, ask for:

• Written receipts
• Proof of attendance
• Claim forms
• Payment confirmation

Accountability

If you believe you have been incorrectly charged or wrongly refused financial help:

Step 1

Speak with:

• GP surgery
• Pharmacy
• Hospital finance office
• NHS Business Services Authority (where appropriate)

Step 2

Request a written explanation of the decision.

Step 3

Use the NHS complaints process if necessary.

Step 4

Escalate unresolved complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman after the NHS complaints procedure has been completed.

Practical Questions to Ask

• Am I eligible for free prescriptions?
• Can I apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme?
• Can I claim travel costs?
• Do I qualify for Healthy Start?
• How do I renew my exemption certificate?
• What evidence do I need?
• Can someone help me complete the forms?
• What should I do if my circumstances change?

Official NHS & GOV.UK Resources

NHS Help with Health Costs

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/

Prescription Costs

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/prescription-costs/

NHS Low Income Scheme (HC2 & HC3)

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

Healthy Start

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

Free Prescriptions & Dental Care During Pregnancy

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/free-prescriptions-and-dental-care/

NHS Business Services Authority

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/

NHS Constitution

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Accessible Information Standard

https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/

NHS Complaints

https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/

Quick Checklist

✔ Check whether you qualify for free NHS health costs before paying.
✔ Apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme if you have a low income.
✔ Keep your HC2, HC3, maternity exemption, and prescription exemption certificates up to date.
✔ Keep travel receipts if attending NHS appointments and you may be eligible for reimbursement.
✔ Ask your GP, pharmacist, hospital or midwife about financial support schemes.
✔ Request information in accessible formats or ask for help completing forms if needed.
✔ Keep copies of all applications, certificates, receipts and correspondence, and challenge incorrect decisions through the NHS complaints process if necessary.