Health benefits for people with a low income

Free prescriptions

Who gets them?
If you are pregnant, you are entitled to free prescriptions until a year after you have given birth. You will also be entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner get Income Support, income-based JSA, or if you have a very low income and get Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit.

There are other groups of people who get free prescriptions, including most asylum seekers, people in Wales (from April 2007), some young people, over 60s and people with particular health conditions. If you want to check whether you are entitled, you can get advice from a Citizens' Advice Bureau, an independent advice agency or the Working Families helpline. If you are not entitled to free prescriptions, you may still be entitled to help with the costs if you are on a low income.

How do I claim?
If you are on tax credits and qualify, the Revenue should let the NHS know and you should receive an exemption card. Otherwise you can use benefit decision notices or tax credit award notices as proof. If you qualify because you are pregnant or have had a baby, you should get an exemption certificate by using Form FW8, which your midwife, doctor or health visitor can give you.

If you are applying for help because you are on a low income, you have to fill in form HC1 which you can get from Department for Work and Pensions offices (eg Jobcentre Plus) or from some post offices.

Help with NHS sight tests

Who can get it?
You can get free sight tests if you or your partner are on Income Support, income-based JSA, or if you are on a very low income and get Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit. Some other groups of people do not have to pay, including most asylum seekers, some young people and over 60s, or people with particular sight conditions, diseases or a family history of certain eye diseases.

You may also be entitled to a voucher towards the cost of buying or repairing glasses or contact lenses after your eye test. If you don?t qualify for a free test, you might qualify for a reduced cost test if you are on a low income.

How do I claim?
You claim in the same way as for free prescriptions (see above). If you are applying for help because you are on a low income, you will need to complete form HC1.

Help with NHS dental treatment

You can get free NHS dental treatment if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last year, and also if you are on Income Support, income-based JSA, or on a very low income and getting Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit. Some other groups of people do not have to pay, including most asylum seekers and some young people. If you do not qualify for free treatment, you may be able to get reduced cost treatment if you are on a low income.

How do I claim?
You claim in the same way as for free prescriptions and sight tests (see above). If you are applying for help because you are on a low income, you will need to complete form HC1.

Help with hospital fares

Who gets it?
If you or your partner gets income-based JSA or Income Support, or you have a very low income and get Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit, you can get help with fares to and from the hospital (including visits for antenatal care). Some other people who are on a low income may also qualify. This can cover normal public transport fares, estimated petrol costs and taxi fares (if there is no alternative).

How do I claim?
You claim at the hospital which should have an office for dealing with claims for fares. Normally you do this during your visit, but you can claim a refund within three months. If you really need to get the payment in advance this may be possible in some circumstances.

If you only qualify because of a low income you first have to fill in form HC1 which you can get from Department for Work and Pensions offices (eg Jobcentre Plus) or from some post offices. Depending on how low your income is you may be given either certificate HC2, which means you qualify for full help with standard costs, or certificate HC3, which means that you qualify for some help. You show the certificate when you go to the hospital or claim later (within three months) on form HC5.

For details of publications, leaflets and training courses contact Working Families. You can also ring our helpline if you need further advice.

Working Families
1-6 Berry Street
London EC1V 0AA
Helpline: 0800 013 0313