Certain benefits and exemptions can automatically entitle you to help with NHS health costs.
You can check if you are eligible for help by using the online eligibility checker.
Benefits
You’re entitled to help with your health costs if you get, or are included in an award of someone getting:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit (UC) and meet the qualifying criteria
- Tax Credits and meet the qualifying criteria.
If you’re unsure which benefit you get, check your latest award notice. If you do not have your latest award notice, contact the department responsible for your benefit.
You’re 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 will also get the same help.
Exemptions
You’re entitled to help with your health costs if you:
- have an HC2 or HC3 certificate
- have a Medical Exemption Certificate (MEDEX)
- have an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate (TAX)
- are aged 18 and under and in full time education
- are aged 16, 17 or 18 and not in full time education
- are aged 19
- are aged 60 or over
- have a War Pension
- are pregnant or have a child under 12 months.
What you’re entitled to will depend on the type of exemption you hold.
Scotland and Wales
If you live in Scotland or Wales, NHS prescriptions are free.
In Scotland, you also get free NHS dental check-ups and sight tests.
In Wales, you get free NHS dental check-ups if you’re under 25.
Further guidance regarding benefits is available on the GOV.UK website.
Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.