NHS Low Income Scheme · UK guide

Low income? Your NHS costs could be free.

Last verified 13 Jul 2026 · Source NHSBSA NHS Low Income Scheme + NHS Help with Health Costs (HC11, April 2026) · Publisher: CA Capital Limited (company no. 10848369)

The NHS Low Income Scheme covers the NHS costs that aren't automatically free: prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and travel to NHS appointments. Apply with one form (HC1) — full help is an HC2 certificate, partial help is an HC3. You don't need to be on benefits: low-paid workers, students and pensioners qualify all the time. Savings must be under £16,000 (£23,250 if you live in a care home).

HC2Full help — everything free
£16,000Savings limit
1 formHC1 covers it all
~4 weeksCertificate arrives
What's covered? → Full benefits check

What it covers

  • NHS prescriptions — free with HC2.
  • NHS dental treatment — free with HC2 (HC3 sets your contribution).
  • Sight tests — free, plus optical vouchers towards glasses or contact lenses.
  • Travel to NHS treatment — necessary travel costs refunded (the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme).
  • NHS wigs and fabric supports.
HC2 vs HC3 HC2 = full help: everything above free or refunded. HC3 = partial help: the certificate states exactly how much you pay towards dental, optical and travel costs. Certificates usually last between 6 months and 5 years depending on your circumstances — reapply when yours expires.

Who qualifies

  • Your savings, investments and property (not counting the home you live in) are under £16,000 — or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home.
  • Your income is low — the assessment compares your income against your needs (rent, council tax, household).
  • You don't need to be on benefits — low-paid workers, part-timers, students and pensioners with modest incomes commonly qualify.
Already on certain benefits? You may not need this scheme If you get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, income-related ESA (if you are still receiving it), or Universal Credit (within the earnings rules), you're usually already entitled to free prescriptions and dental — just tick the right box on the form at the pharmacy or dentist. The Low Income Scheme is for people who don't get those benefits but still have a low income. Note: Income Support and income-based JSA were abolished and stopped being valid NHS exemptions on 15 April 2026 — if that was your route to free NHS costs, this scheme (an HC2 certificate) is now the way to get it back.

How to apply

Claim it now — free
Apply via NHSBSA (HC1) → 📞 Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848

Have ready: details of your income, savings, rent/mortgage and household. Paying while you wait? Ask the pharmacy for an FP57 refund receipt at the time you pay.

  1. Apply online via the NHSBSA website, or get paper form HC1 (Jobcentre Plus offices and many hospitals stock it).
  2. You'll be asked about income, savings, rent/mortgage and household.
  3. Your certificate (HC2 or HC3) usually arrives within about 4 weeks.
  4. Students: apply too — student loans and grants count as income, but many full-time students still qualify.
Paying while you wait? Keep the receipts For prescriptions, ask the pharmacy for an FP57 refund receipt at the time you pay — you cannot get one later. Keep dental, optical and travel receipts too. Once your certificate arrives you can claim refunds for roughly the previous 3 months. Don't delay treatment you need.

Don't pay for what's already free

Before paying any NHS charge, check whether you're already exempt — for example:

  • Prescriptions are free for over-60s, under-16s (and 16–18 in full-time education), during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth (with a maternity exemption certificate), and with certain medical conditions (medical exemption certificate).
  • Prepayment certificates (PPC) can slash costs if you pay for several prescriptions a month and don't qualify for free ones.
  • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — prescriptions are free for everyone; the Low Income Scheme there mainly helps with dental, optical and travel.

Free UK support

  • NHSBSA Low Income Scheme — the official scheme + online HC1 application.
  • NHS Help with Health Costs — check every exemption you might have.
  • Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help with the HC1 form + a full benefits check.
  • Healthwatch — local help navigating NHS services.

NHS Low Income Scheme — common questions

What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?

Help with NHS costs that aren't automatically free — prescriptions, dental, sight tests, glasses vouchers, travel to NHS treatment, wigs and fabric supports. Apply with form HC1; full help = HC2 certificate, partial = HC3. Run by the NHS Business Services Authority.

Who qualifies?

Anyone on a low income with savings under £16,000 (£23,250 in a care home). You don't need to be on benefits — low-paid workers, students and pensioners often qualify. The assessment compares your income with your needs.

HC2 or HC3 — what's the difference?

HC2 = full help (everything free or refunded). HC3 = partial help — it states exactly what you contribute to dental, optical and travel. Certificates last 6 months to 5 years; reapply when expired.

How do I apply?

Online via NHSBSA or paper form HC1. You'll detail income, savings, rent and household. Certificates usually arrive in ~4 weeks.

Can I get a refund for costs I already paid?

Often yes — ask for an FP57 receipt when paying for prescriptions (you can't get one later) and keep dental/optical/travel receipts. Once your certificate arrives, claim refunds for roughly the previous 3 months.

Sources NHS Low Income Scheme · NHSBSA (HC1 application, HC2 full help / HC3 partial help, £16,000 savings limit, £23,250 care-home limit, ~4-week processing). NHS Help with Health Costs · NHS.UK (exemptions, FP57 refunds, maternity + medical exemption certificates, prepayment certificates). Free help: Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · Healthwatch. Scotland/Wales/NI: prescriptions free for all. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026.
Your safest next step today

Paying for prescriptions or putting off the dentist? Send one HC1 form.

One form can make prescriptions, NHS dental, sight tests and travel free or cheaper for up to 5 years. You don't need to be on benefits — and refunds can cover what you've paid in the last 3 months.

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