You’ll receive a new NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate 4 to 6 weeks after your assessment is completed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
If HMRC tell us you’re entitled, you’ll receive your certificate by the end of the following month. We aim to send your certificate before the end of the month in which HRMC tell us you’re entitled.
You can show your Tax Credit award notice as evidence of your entitlement until your new certificate arrives.
If you’ve not received a new certificate, this could be because you:
- are no longer entitled
- have changed address and not updated this with HMRC
- receive manual tax credit payments
No longer entitled
If you do not qualify, a new certificate will not be sent.
Your last NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate advised you'll only receive a new certificate if you ‘continue to meet the qualifying conditions'.
Changes that can affect your entitlement are:
- your Child Tax Credit payments stopping
- your partner moving in or out of the household
- your annual income increasing above £15,276
- you or your partner receiving a qualifying benefit or exemption
Check if you’re entitled to an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
If you’re unsure about your entitlement, you must speak to HMRC.
Receive manual payments
Manual Tax Credit payments are payments not made directly to a bank account.
If you’re receiving a manual payment, you'll not be sent an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
You can use your award notice as evidence of your entitlement.
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.
Tax Credits ending April 2025
Tax Credits are being replaced by Universal Credit from April 2025. Tax Credit claimants will receive a Migration Notice letter from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving onto Universal Credit.
To be entitled to help with your NHS health costs through Universal Credit, you must meet the qualifying conditions.