Follow the guidance for:
- people aged under 16
- people aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
- inbetween 2 full-time education courses
- NHS dental treatment
- travel costs
People aged under 16
You’re entitled to help with NHS health costs regardless of your education status.
People aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
If you're in full-time education at a school, college, university or home schooling you're automatically entitled to:
- free NHS prescriptions
- free NHS sight test
- a voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- free NHS wigs and fabric supports
This applies until you turn age 19 or leave education, whichever comes first.
Workplace learning such as an apprenticeship is not considered as full-time education.
Inbetween 2 full-time education courses
You're entitled to help with health costs until you turn age 19.
The offer can be conditional or unconditional, it does not affect your entitlement.
NHS dental treatment
You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if at the start of your treatment you’re either:
- under age 18
- under age 19 and in full-time education
Travel costs
You’re not automatically entitled to help with travel costs to receive NHS care unless your parent or guardian gets a qualifying benefit or exemption or has an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
If you’re not entitled, you can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme by completing an HC1 application.
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.