Read this first — getting to your appointment shouldn't cost you
If money is tight and you're worried about the cost of getting to a hospital or specialist appointment, this scheme exists precisely for you. You don't have to choose between attending and affording the journey — if you're on a qualifying benefit or a low income, the NHS pays the reasonable travel cost back.
It's free to claim, there's no clever form-filling, and if paying upfront is hard you can sometimes ask for the money in advance. Take a breath — the steps below are simple, and the deadline is a generous 3 months.
Most of this guide is the England scheme. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, there's an equivalent — skip to the section near the end.
What the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme is
The HTCS refunds the reasonable cost of travel when you go to receive NHS treatment or diagnostic tests after being referred by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional. It's run by the NHS and administered by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
It is not for everyday GP or dentist visits, and not for visiting someone else in hospital. The key word is referral: your GP (or dentist) has to have sent you on to a specialist or hospital for further NHS care, and your appointment has to be a separate visit from when the referral was made.
Three things must all be true
- You're on a qualifying benefit or meet the NHS Low Income Scheme criteria (see below).
- You've been referred to a specialist or hospital for further NHS treatment or tests (often called secondary care).
- The appointment is a separate visit from when the referral was made — whether it's at a different place or the same building.
Who qualifies for help with travel
At the time of the appointment, you or your partner (including a civil partner) must get one of these — or you must be named on a Low Income Scheme certificate:
You qualify if you (or your partner) get any of these
- Pension Credit — the Guarantee Credit part.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Universal Credit — where you meet the criteria (the same low-earnings test the NHS uses for other health costs). Being on UC doesn't automatically qualify you — check your award notice.
- A valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
- You're on a low income and named on an HC2 (full help) or HC3 (limited help) certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Children, carers and escorts
You can claim travel costs for your children if you qualify and your child was referred for treatment. A child aged 16 or over can make their own claim under the Low Income Scheme.
You can also claim for an escort — someone who travels with you — if a healthcare professional says it's medically necessary. The payment is based on your eligibility, not the escort's. Some integrated care boards (ICBs) will also accept a claim if you have to bring a child under 16 to your own appointment.
When you can't claim
You cannot claim if you're visiting someone in hospital, or for routine GP, dentist, vaccination or screening (such as cervical screening) appointments — those are excluded. Out-of-hours urgent primary care is also excluded.
On a low income but not on a qualifying benefit? You don't have to be on benefits — apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme for an HC2 or HC3, and that opens the door to this scheme too.
What travel is covered
The NHS bases your refund on the cheapest suitable mode of transport for your circumstances — taking into account your age, medical condition and whether public transport is available. In most cases that means public transport.
| Way you travel | What you can claim |
|---|
| Bus / train | The fare for the journey — keep your tickets and receipts. |
| Car | Fuel reimbursed at your local ICB's mileage rate, plus unavoidable parking and toll charges. |
| Taxi | Can be covered where medically necessary — but agree it in advance with the hospital or ICB before you travel. |
| Escort | Their travel too, if a healthcare professional says someone must travel with you. |
If you're in London
You may be able to claim back the Congestion Charge or ULEZ charge for the journey — check the Transport for London reimbursement guidance. Outside England, similar local help may exist — ask your hospital or ICB.
How to claim your refund
You're expected to pay for your travel and claim it back. There are two routes:
1 · At the hospital, on the day
Take your travel receipts, your appointment letter or card, and proof of your qualifying benefit (or your HC2/HC3 certificate) to the hospital's nominated cashiers' office — sometimes called the General Office or Patient Affairs Office. They assess your claim and pay you directly. Not sure where to go? Ask reception or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
2 · By post with form HC5(T)
Some hospitals have no cashier facility, or you may not have claimed at the time. In that case, download an HC5(T) travel refund form from the NHSBSA website, attach your proof, and post it to the address on the form. You must make a postal claim within 3 months of your appointment.
Can't afford to pay upfront?
In some cases you can ask for an advance payment so you can attend. The NHS service providing your treatment — or your local ICB — can tell you how to apply. Ask before your appointment if paying first would stop you attending.
Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
Each UK nation runs an equivalent low-income travel-help scheme — the eligibility (low income or a qualifying benefit, a referral to specialist NHS care) and the principle (refund the cheapest suitable transport) are broadly the same, but the forms and claim routes differ.
The schemes across the UK
Scotland. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme runs on similar terms. Claim at the hospital or by post — see nhsinform.scot and the NHSBSA help-with-health-costs guidance.
Wales. The hospital usually refunds you on the day of treatment; if that's not possible you complete refund form HC5W(T). See gov.wales — Get help with NHS travel costs.
Northern Ireland. The Hospital Travel Costs Scheme pays you back — often in cash at the hospital — when you show proof of a qualifying benefit, a tax credit exemption certificate, or Health Service Low Income Scheme entitlement. See nidirect.gov.uk.
Do this right now
Got a referral and an appointment coming up? Here's the calm order:
Check · keep proof · claim back within 3 months
- Check you qualify. On Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, income-related ESA, or Universal Credit meeting the criteria — or holding an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate or an HC2/HC3? You can claim. On a low income but no benefit? Apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme for an HC2.
- Keep your proof. Hang on to bus/train tickets, parking and toll receipts, your appointment letter or card, and your benefit award notice or certificate. Agree any taxi or escort with the hospital first.
- Claim at the cashiers' office. Take it all to the hospital's nominated cashiers' / General / Patient Affairs Office and they'll pay you directly. No cashier, or missed it? Post form HC5(T) within 3 months.
- Struggling to pay first? Ask the NHS service or your ICB about an advance payment before you travel. Any health-cost query: NHS line 0300 330 1343.
Help with NHS travel is one of several health-cost schemes people miss — check what else you may be owed.
For free, independent help: Citizens Advice can explain the scheme, and the NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme page and the NHSBSA "Travel to receive NHS treatment" page set out exactly what you can claim. NHS help with health costs line: 0300 330 1343.