NHS in England: help with health costs

If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

The scheme covers:

• prescription costs
• dental costs
• eye care costs
• healthcare travel costs
• wigs and fabric supports

You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not counting the place you live) don't exceed the capital limit.

In England, the limit is:

• £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home
• £16,000 for everyone else

Any help you're entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependent young people.

How to apply

Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate).

You qualify for full help if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

If your income exceeds this limit, you may be entitled to partial help. Your certificate will show how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

The rules governing who's eligible are broadly the same as those for a means-tested benefit. But the assessment also takes into account council tax and housing costs, so you can get help with health costs even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit.

To apply for your certificate, you'll need to complete an HC1 form and post it to the address provided on the form.

You can order an HC1 form online or download it here (PDF, 218kb). It may also be available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. Your doctor, dentist or optician may also be able to give you one.

If you need help making your claim or have questions about the LIS, call 0300 330 1343 to speak to an adviser. They can also fill in the form for you and post it to you to sign and return it to them.

Certificates are usually valid for between six months and five years, depending on your circumstances.

You don't need to apply if you or your partner:

• get Income Support
• get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• get income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are named on or entitled to a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you don't have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
• get Universal Credit and meet the criteria

These benefits or tax credits already entitle you to full help with health costs.