Certain benefits and exemptions can automatically entitle you to help with NHS health costs.
You can check if you are eligible for help with NHS charges by using the online eligibility checker.
Benefits
If you get any of these benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the qualifying criteria
- Tax Credits and meet the qualifying criteria
You are entitled to:
- free NHS prescriptions
- free NHS dental treatment
- free NHS sight tests
- free NHS wigs and fabric supports
- help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- help towards travel costs to receive NHS treatment
Your partner and any dependants aged 19 and under who are included in your award also get the same help.
Exemptions
Certain exemptions can also entitle you to help with NHS charges:
- HC2 or HC3 certificate
- Medical exemption certificate
- Aged 18 and under and in full time education
- Aged 16, 17 or 18 and not in full time education
- Aged 19
- Aged 60 or over
- War Pension
- Pregnancy or have a child under 12 months
What you are entitled to will depend on the type of exemption.
Scotland and Wales
NHS prescriptions are usually free in Scotland and Wales. In Scotland, you also get free NHS dental check-ups and sight tests. In Wales, you get free NHS dental check-ups if you are under 25.