Views:

If you have a low income, the NHS LIS could help you pay for:

  • NHS prescription charges
  • NHS dental treatment charges
  • the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
  • the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
  • NHS wigs and fabric supports

Check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs.

How much help you get depends on your weekly income and necessary outgoings, plus any savings or investments you have at the time you apply.

If the amount you have left is low, you may be able to get help through the NHS LIS. Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner, if you have one.

If you’ve already paid for treatment, you can apply for a refund at the same time as you apply for the LIS.

Eligibility

You can apply for the LIS if you:

  • live in England, Scotland, or Wales
  • are not already exempt
  • or your partner have £16,000 or less in savings, investments or property, not including the property you live in
  • have £23,250 or less in savings, investments or property if you live permanently in a care home in England or Scotland
  • have £24,000 or less in savings, investments or property if you live permanently in a care home in Wales

If you live in Northern Ireland, check if you can get help on the nidirect.gov website.

Applying for LIS

You can apply online unless you:

  • are a student with funding in addition to your student loan
  • have more than £6,000 in capital
  • are in receipt of a Trust Fund
  • are in receipt of Maintenance Payments
  • have a second property
  • are a couple where one or both receive Asylum Support
  • are self-employed
  • are on an apprenticeship
  • receive income from fostering

If you cannot apply online, you can get an HC1 application form from our website. If you choose to have a form posted to you, this will arrive within 15 working days.

If you live in Wales, you can also call 0345 603 1108 and select the option for health publications to get a copy sent to you.

You may be able to get an HC1 application form from a:

  • local pharmacy
  • job centre plus office
  • doctors surgery
  • dental practice

Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.

Keywords: low income scheme, low income, earnings, LIS, help, help with, help with health costs, apply, application, what is, dental, prescriptions, optical, sight test,
Comments (0)