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

Repayment of reasonable travel costs to and from hospital for NHS treatment.   

Group 1

You may be entitled to some or all of the above because of your age (young and old), a medical condition, pregnancy, or because you get a War or Ministry of Defence Disablement Pension

Group 2

You are entitled to all of the above if you and your partner get:
Disability Working Allowance
Family Credit
Income Support
Income-Base Jobseeker’s Allowance

Group 3
If you are on low income and do not fit into Group 1 or 2, you may be able to get help with your health costs by making a claim under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

If you are in group 1 or 2: to get help fill in the back of your prescription form; or tell your dentist or optician when you go for treatment. If you are claiming help with hospital travel costs or for wigs and fabric supports, tell the hospital. You may be asked to show proof of entitlement

If you are in group 3 and want to claim on low income grounds, or before your benefit claim is settled, get form HC1 (formerly AG1) from a social security office or hospital. Fill in the form and send it in the envelope provided to:

Health Benefits Division, Sandyford House,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1DB

Leaflet HC11 Are you entitled to help with health costs? gives you more information.

It is available from main post offices, Social Security offices or hospitals. Doctors, dentists, pharmacists and opticians may have them. Information is available in Chinese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. If you have difficulty in getting any of these leaflets or HC1 claim forms write to Department of Health, PO Box 410, Wetherby, LS23 7LN or fax your request on 01937 845 381

See also Concessions