Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Disabled people
Help with health costs
Most National Health Service (NHS) treatment is free, although there can be charges for some things. Depending on your circumstances, you might get help with the cost of some treatment, services and items.
Who can get help with health costs
If you are in one of the groups below, you may be entitled to the following:
- free NHS prescriptions
- free NHS dental treatment
- free NHS sight tests
- vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- free NHS wigs and fabric supports
- help with the costs of travel for NHS treatment on referral by a doctor or dentist
Group 1
You may be entitled to some or all of the above because of your age (young or old), a medical condition or because you get a War Disablement Pension or hold a War Pension exemption certifcate.
Group 2
You are entitled to all of the above, if you and/or your partner get:
- Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit and your income is £15,050 per year or less
- Working Tax Credit with a disability element and your income is £15,050 per year or less
- Child Tax Credit and you are not eligible for Working Tax Credit, and your income is £15,050 per year or less
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
Group 3
If you are on a low income and do not fit into Groups 1 or 2, you may be able to get help with your health costs by making a claim under the NHS Low Income Scheme.
More information on help with health costs
The booklet HC11 'Help with health costs' is a useful and detailed source of information. It is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or NHS hospitals. Your local doctor, dentist, pharmacist and optician might also have a copy.
You can also order get a copy via the NHS forms order line:
Telephone: 0845 610 1112 (Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm)
Quote the reference HC11.
You can also download the leaflet in PDF format from the Department of Health's website.
How to claim
Group 1 and group 2
To get help if you are in Groups 1 or 2, fill in the back of your prescription form, or tell your dentist or optician when you go for dental or optical treatment. If you are claiming help with healthcare travel costs or for wigs and fabric supports, tell the hospital and show proof of entitlement.
Group 3
If you are in Group 3 and want to claim on low income grounds, or before your benefit claim is settled, you need to fill in the claim form HC1 'Help with help costs'.
It is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or NHS hospitals. Your local doctor, dentist, pharmacist and optician might also have a copy.
You can also order get a copy via the NHS forms order line:
Telephone: 0845 610 1112 (Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.00 pm)
Quote the reference HC1.
You can also download the leaflet in PDF format from the Department of Health's website.
In this section...
Additional links
Keep Warm Keep Well
Information and advice about how to keep warm this winter and what financial support is available
Do it online
Useful contacts
Access keys
