Benefits & Support
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.
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 over |
Automatic |
| Under 16 |
Automatic |
| 16-18 in full-time education |
Need proof |
| Pregnant |
Need certificate (MatEx) |
| Had baby in last 12 months |
Need certificate |
| Certain medical conditions |
Need certificate (MedEx) |
| War pensioner (for condition) |
For accepted disability |
Medical Conditions That Qualify
| Condition |
Free Prescriptions? |
| Diabetes (not diet-controlled) |
Yes |
| Hypothyroidism |
Yes |
| Epilepsy requiring medication |
Yes |
| Cancer (and effects of treatment) |
Yes |
| Permanent fistula |
Yes |
| Hypoparathyroidism |
Yes |
| Diabetes insipidus |
Yes |
| Myasthenia gravis |
Yes |
| Addison’s disease |
Yes |
Apply using form FP92A from your GP.
Low Income Exemptions
| Benefit/Status |
Free Prescriptions? |
| Tax Credits + HC2 |
Yes |
| Universal Credit (nil income) |
Yes |
| Income Support |
Yes |
| Income-based JSA |
Yes |
| Income-based ESA |
Yes |
| Pension Credit (Guarantee) |
Yes |
| NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 |
Yes |
By Country
| Country |
Cost |
| England |
£9.90 per item |
| Scotland |
Free |
| Wales |
Free |
| Northern Ireland |
Free |
Prepayment Certificates (England)
| Type |
Cost |
Best If |
| 3-month PPC |
£32.05 |
Need 4+ items in 3 months |
| 12-month PPC |
£111.60 |
Need 12+ items in year |
| Monthly payments |
£9.30/month |
Spread cost |
Buy online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc or call 0300 330 1341.
NHS Dental Charges
Treatment Bands (England)
| Band |
Cost |
What’s Included |
| Band 1 |
£26.80 |
Examination, diagnosis, cleaning, X-rays |
| Band 2 |
£73.50 |
Above plus fillings, extractions, root canal |
| Band 3 |
£319.10 |
Above plus crowns, bridges, dentures |
Free NHS Dental Care
| Exempt If… |
Details |
| Under 18 |
Or under 19 in full-time education |
| Pregnant |
Or had baby in last 12 months |
| Receiving certain benefits |
IS, income-based JSA/ESA, Pension Credit, UC (nil income) |
| HC2 certificate |
Full help |
| Named on valid Tax Credit NHS exemption |
Check eligibility |
By Country
| Country |
Charges |
| England |
3 bands as above |
| Scotland |
Free for under 26s, band system for others |
| Wales |
Free for under 25s and over 60s, bands for others |
| Northern Ireland |
Similar band system |
Eye Care
Free NHS Eye Tests
| Exempt If… |
Details |
| Under 16 |
Or under 19 in full-time education |
| Aged 60 or over |
Automatic |
| Diagnosed glaucoma |
Or at risk (over 40 with family history) |
| Diabetic |
For glaucoma screening |
| Registered blind/partially sighted |
Yes |
| On certain benefits |
IS, JSA, ESA (income-based), UC, Pension Credit |
| HC2 certificate |
Yes |
| Prisoner on leave |
Yes |
| Who Qualifies |
Help Available |
| Children |
NHS vouchers |
| Complex lenses needed |
NHS vouchers |
| On certain benefits |
NHS vouchers |
| HC2/HC3 certificate |
Full or partial help |
NHS Optical Vouchers
| Category |
Voucher Value |
| Basic single vision |
£41.80+ |
| More complex |
Higher values |
| Contact lenses |
Varies |
NHS Low Income Scheme
What Is It?
| Feature |
Details |
| For |
People on low income not on qualifying benefits |
| Certificates |
HC2 (full help) or HC3 (partial help) |
| Covers |
Prescriptions, dental, optical, travel |
| Assessment |
Based on income and savings |
Who Should Apply
| Apply If… |
Details |
| Low income |
Below certain thresholds |
| Not on qualifying benefits |
But still struggling |
| High health costs |
Many prescriptions, dental work needed |
How to Apply
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Get form HC1 |
| 2 |
Fill in income/savings details |
| 3 |
Send to NHS BSA |
| 4 |
Receive HC2 or HC3 certificate |
| 5 |
Show certificate when getting treatment |
| Location |
Details |
| Online |
nhsbsa.nhs.uk |
| Jobcentre Plus |
Paper form |
| NHS hospitals |
Ask at reception |
| Some pharmacies |
May have copies |
What Counts in Assessment
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| Income |
First £6,000 savings |
| Partner’s income |
Main home value |
| Some savings (over £6,000) |
Some disability benefits |
Travel Costs
Hospital Travel Costs Scheme
| Who Can Claim |
Details |
| HC2 certificate holders |
Full travel costs |
| HC3 certificate holders |
Partial help |
| Receiving certain benefits |
Check eligibility |
How to Claim
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Keep travel receipts |
| 2 |
Get HC5 form at hospital |
| 3 |
Submit claim |
| 4 |
Reimbursement processed |
Wigs and Fabric Supports
NHS Charges
| Item |
Charge |
| 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 prescriptions |
See prescription exemptions |
| Inpatient |
When supplied during stay |
| Under 16 |
Or under 19 in education |
Summary: Help with NHS Costs
Quick Eligibility Check
| You May Get Help If… |
What To Do |
| Over 60 |
Automatic for most things |
| Under 16/19 in education |
Automatic |
| Pregnant/new baby |
Get MatEx certificate |
| Medical condition |
Apply for MedEx |
| On qualifying benefits |
Show proof |
| Low income |
Apply for HC2/HC3 |
Key Documents to Get
| Document |
What It’s For |
| MatEx (maternity exemption) |
Free prescriptions/dental during pregnancy |
| MedEx (medical exemption) |
Free prescriptions for conditions |
| HC2/HC3 |
Help with all health costs |
| PPC |
Save on prescription costs |
| Service |
Contact |
| NHS Low Income Scheme |
0300 330 1343 |
| PPC ordering |
0300 330 1341 |
| NHS website |
nhs.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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