Help with Travel Costs to Hospital

Who can get help?

• If you (or your partner) gets one of the following:
  • Income Support.
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
• If you have an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
• Some war pensioners - if treatment is connected with the pensionable disability.
• People on a low income who have a certificate HC2 or HC3 (see below).

Dependent children whose parent or guardian falls into one of the above categories can usually get help with travel costs too if they need to go to hospital.

If your doctor says that you need someone to travel with you, then the accompanying person's travel costs can be included for help. (It is your income and status that counts in any assessment for help, not the travel companion's own status.)

How can people on a low income apply for help?

Some people on a low income may qualify for help with health costs such as travel costs to hospital. 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 with some of these health costs.

Certificates are usually valid for six months. If your circumstances remain unchanged after six months then, if necessary, make a new claim before the current certificate expires.

Can I claim a refund for a travel cost I have 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 travel cost to hospital. Claims must be received within three months of your paying the charge. Keep all receipts for your travel - you will need it for your claim. Use claim 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 Department of Health Publications Orderline on 0300 123 1002 (minicom 0300 123 1003) and ask for a form to be sent to you.

What form of transport can I use?

You should use the cheapest available means of transport, using public transport where possible. Petrol costs equivalent to public transport costs will be reimbursed if a private car is used instead of available public transport. If public transport is unavailable full petrol costs will be reimbursed. Taxis may be used if there is no alternative or if the patient is unable to use public transport.

How can I claim the help?

The hospital fare's office should be able to reimburse you the return fare at the time of your visit. Ask for help at reception if necessary. Make sure that you keep all tickets and receipts. Evidence of benefits or exemption (certificate HC2 or HC3) should also be shown. If you are unable to pay your fare in advance, check with the hospital, as there may be other forms of assistance.

What about travel costs for visitors to hospital?

People receiving Income Support or Income-based Jobseeeker's Allowance may be able to get help with visiting someone in hospital in certain circumstances. To find out if you qualify contact you Jobcentre Plus office, hospital social services department, or other advice sources (see below).

How can I find out more?

Further information

This leaflet gives a brief summary of how to obtain help with travel costs and is for guidance only. It does not cover all situations nor is it a full statement of the law. The official 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. BEL offers confidential advice and information on benefits and how to claim them.

Directgov

Web: www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov brings together the widest range of public service information and services online. Includes information about benefits.

Citizens Advice Bureau

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