Help With Health Costs

Who qualifies for help with health costs?

There are separate leaflets giving details on each of the above health costs and who does not have to pay them. Briefly, some people automatically qualify for help. For example:

• You may be automatically exempt from paying certain health costs for reasons such as age, if you have certain health conditions, pregnancy, or recent childbirth. For example: children do not pay prescription charges; pregnant women do not pay NHS dental charges; etc.
• If you receive Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you are entitled to help with certain health costs.
• If you receive certain Tax Credits you may be entitled to help with certain health costs if your income is low enough.

If you do not automatically qualify, but have a low income, you may also be eligible for help.

How can I apply for help with health costs?

If you are on low income and are not automatically exempt from a charge, you may be eligible for help. Your entitlement to help is based on your circumstances such as your level of income, savings, etc. Use form HC1 'Claim for help with health costs'. See below on how to get this form. You have to fill in the form giving various details of your circumstances. If your application is successful, you will receive either certificate HC2 or HC3.

• Certificate HC2 means that you will not need to pay the following health costs: prescription charges; NHS dental charges; eye tests, glasses and contact lenses; travel to hospital for NHS treatment; wigs and fabric supports.
• Certificate HC3 provides partial help. You will need to pay some of the costs yourself.

Certificates are normally sent within four weeks of a claim being received. They are usually valid for six months. If your circumstances remain unchanged after six months then, if necessary, you should make a new claim before the current certificate expires.

How can I claim a refund for a health cost already paid?

If you are issued with certificate HC2 or HC3, you may be able to claim a refund if you have recently paid for a health cost mentioned above. Claims must be received within three months of you paying the charge. Ask for a receipt - you will need it for your claim. To claim for prescription charges use form FP57 available from your pharmacist. All other refunds for costs listed above should be claimed using form HC5.

How can I get the claim forms?

To get the forms HC1 or HC5 mentioned above:

• contact your local office of the Department of Work and Pensions (the local Jobcentre Plus or 'social security' office) for a claim form. Find your local office in the phone book under 'Jobcentre Plus', OR
• get them from an NHS hospital, OR
• your dentist or optometrist (optician) may stock them, OR
• phone the NHS Responseline: 08701 555 455 and ask for a form to be sent to you.

How can I find out more?

Further information

This leaflet only gives a brief summary of help with health costs and is for guidance only. It does not cover all situations nor is it a full statement of the law. The official information booklet HC11 'Help with health costs' provides more details. Your local Jobcentre Plus office, NHS hospital, pharmacist, doctor, dentist or optician may have leaflet HC11.

The leaflet HC11 is also available on the internet. Go to the Department of Health's website - www.dh.gov.uk - and search for HC11.

Benefit Enquiry Line - BEL

England, Wales and Scotland - Tel: 0800 88 22 00 Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Northern Ireland - Tel: 0800 220 674 Textphone: 0800 243 787
For people with disabilities, their carers and representatives. It is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. BEL offers confidential advice and information on benefits and how to claim them. In addition they can also send out an extensive range of leaflets and claim packs, and help you to complete a claim form over the phone.

Directgov

Web: www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online.
Produced by the Central Office of Information, Directgov provides information from across UK government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave, to special educational needs, local NHS services, and benefits. The site also brings together an increasing number of online government services - including being able to download and/or complete certain benefit claim forms online.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Provides independent advice on many issues including benefits. Listed in the phone book under 'Citizen's Advice Bureaux'. Also, see their excellent website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk