Many UK residents on low incomes qualify for help with NHS charges — prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and glasses — through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Yet this support is significantly underutilised. If you're working but have low income, aren't on qualifying benefits, and are struggling with NHS costs, an HC1 form could entitle you to free or heavily subsidised treatment.
What NHS Costs Can Be Reduced?
The NHS Low Income Scheme (NHS LIS) can help with: prescription charges (currently £9.90 per item in England in 2026), NHS dental treatment (NHS Band 1–3 charges up to £306.80), NHS sight tests (usually free under the scheme), glasses or contact lenses (NHS voucher towards cost), and travel costs to NHS treatment (hospital transport). In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescription charges work differently (free in Scotland and Wales).
- Prescription charges: £9.90 per item in England — potentially free under LIS
- NHS dental: Band 1 (£26.80), Band 2 (£73.50), Band 3 (£306.80) — potentially free
- NHS sight test: normally around £25 — free under the scheme
- Glasses: NHS voucher (value varies) towards frames and lenses
- Hospital travel costs: reimbursement under the Health Travel Costs Scheme
Who Qualifies for the NHS Low Income Scheme?
You may qualify if you have a low income and limited savings. The exact threshold depends on your income, savings, essential outgoings (including rent/mortgage), and household composition. Crucially, you don't have to be on benefits to qualify — working people on low wages also qualify if their income after essential costs is below a certain level. The assessment considers: net income, capital (savings, investments), essential outgoings, and whether your costs exceed your income.
- Low income after essential outgoings
- Savings/capital below £16,000 (similar to Universal Credit rules)
- No need to be on benefits — working people on low wages qualify
- Older people and care home residents may qualify on pension income alone
- Pregnant women and those who gave birth in the last 12 months may qualify
How to Apply: The HC1 Form
Apply using form HC1, available free from GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, pharmacies, Job Centres, and some hospitals. You can also download it from nhs.uk or request one by phone (0300 330 1343). Complete the form and send it to NHSBSA (NHS Business Services Authority). If approved, you receive an HC2 certificate showing what charges you're exempt from, and an HC3 certificate showing any partial entitlement. The certificate is valid for between 6 months and 5 years depending on your circumstances.
- Get HC1 form from GP, dentist, optician, pharmacy or nhs.uk
- Complete and post to NHSBSA
- HC2 certificate: shows full exemption
- HC3 certificate: shows partial reduction
- Certificate valid 6 months to 5 years (reapply before expiry)
Other Free NHS Services You Might Not Know About
Several other groups get free NHS charges automatically, without needing the HC1 form. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) save money for anyone needing more than 3 prescriptions in 3 months or 14 in a year — at £31.25 for 3 months or £111.60 for a year. Under 16s, over 60s, and those with certain medical conditions get free prescriptions automatically. NHS dental and eye tests are free for under 18s, over 60s, pregnant women, those on qualifying benefits, and some other groups.
- Free prescriptions: under 16, over 60, certain medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, etc.)
- Prescription Prepayment Certificate: £111.60/year covers unlimited prescriptions
- Free dental: under 18, pregnant, recent mother, on qualifying benefits
- Free eye tests: under 16, over 60, on qualifying benefits, at risk of glaucoma
- Check full exemption list at nhs.uk/help-with-health-costs
What if I pay for an NHS item I was entitled to for free?
You can claim a refund for up to 3 months using form HC5. Available from pharmacies, dentists and opticians. Keep your receipts.
Does applying for the NHS LIS affect benefits or Universal Credit?
No. The NHS LIS is administered separately from the DWP benefits system and has no impact on your Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or other payments.
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