Healthcare is free at the point of use in the UK, but some things, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and glasses, can carry charges in England. If you are on a low income, there is a lot of help available to cover these costs, and much of it is under-claimed. This guide explains how to get help with NHS and health costs, and who qualifies.
Free prescriptions
In England, there is a charge for each prescription item, which is £9.90 in 2026/27, but many people get their prescriptions free. You qualify for free prescriptions if you are aged 60 or over, under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education, are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, have certain medical conditions, or are on a qualifying low income or benefit. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone.
Free prescriptions on Universal Credit
If you are on Universal Credit, you do not automatically get free prescriptions; it depends on your earnings. You qualify if your earnings in your most recent assessment period were below a set level, which is higher if your award includes a child element or an element for limited capability for work. Because the rules changed recently, and some older benefits no longer count, it is important to check you actually qualify before ticking the exemption box, to avoid a penalty.
Avoiding penalty charges
If you claim free prescriptions when you are not entitled, you can be charged a penalty on top of the prescription cost, so it is important to be sure you qualify. If you are not certain, it is safer to pay and ask for a refund form at the same time, which you can use to claim the money back if it turns out you were entitled. You can check your entitlement using the NHS eligibility checker.
If you pay for prescriptions
If you do have to pay for prescriptions and you need several items regularly, a prescription prepayment certificate can save you money. This is a kind of season ticket that covers all your prescriptions for a set period for a fixed price, which works out cheaper if you need more than a few items. If you have a long-term condition needing regular medication, a prepayment certificate is well worth considering.
Dental treatment and sight tests
NHS dental treatment and sight tests also carry charges for many people, but are free for those on a low income or qualifying benefits, and sight tests are free for everyone aged 60 and over. If you are on a qualifying benefit, you can get free NHS dental treatment and a free sight test, and help towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses through an optical voucher. Always say you are on a qualifying benefit when you book.
Help with glasses and travel costs
If you qualify for help with health costs, you can get a voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, with the amount depending on your prescription. You may also be able to claim back the cost of travel to receive NHS treatment, such as hospital appointments. These are easily overlooked, so if you are on a low income, it is worth keeping receipts and asking about help with travel and the cost of glasses.
The NHS Low Income Scheme
If you are on a low income but not on a qualifying benefit, you may still get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. You apply using a form, and depending on your income and circumstances you may be awarded a certificate giving you full help, the same as if you were on a qualifying benefit, or partial help towards your costs. This scheme is widely under-used, so if your income is low, it is well worth applying.
Free prescriptions and your conditions
Some long-term medical conditions entitle you to free prescriptions whatever your income, through a medical exemption certificate. These include a number of specified conditions, and if you have one, it is well worth applying for the certificate so you do not pay for prescriptions unnecessarily. Ask your GP whether your condition qualifies, as many people with a listed condition pay for prescriptions for years without realising they are entitled to them free.
Help for your whole family
If you qualify for help with health costs through a benefit or the NHS Low Income Scheme, your partner and any dependent children included in your claim are usually covered too. This means the whole family can get help with prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and glasses. When you claim or attend an appointment, make clear who is covered, so your family gets all the help it is entitled to rather than just you.
Keep your certificates safe
If you are given a certificate, such as a maternity or medical exemption certificate or an NHS Low Income Scheme certificate, keep it safe and note when it runs out, as you need a valid certificate to claim free treatment. Claiming with an expired certificate can lead to a penalty charge. Renewing your certificate in good time makes sure you keep getting the help you are entitled to without any gap or risk of a fine.
Free prescriptions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
It is worth repeating that the prescription charge only applies in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free for everyone, whatever their age or income. So if you live in one of those nations, you do not need to worry about prescription charges or exemptions at all. The help described here for prescriptions is mainly relevant to people living in England, where charges still apply.
Why this help is worth claiming
Help with health costs is among the most under-claimed support there is, with many people paying for prescriptions, dental care and glasses when they need not. Over a year, these costs add up, especially for a family or someone with a long-term condition. Taking a little time to check whether you qualify, and to apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme if you are not on a qualifying benefit, can save a worthwhile amount of money.
In short
In England there are charges for prescriptions, dental treatment and glasses, but help is available if you are on a low income. Prescriptions are free for the over-60s, under-18s in education, pregnant women and people on qualifying benefits, and free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check you qualify before claiming, use a prepayment certificate if you pay, and apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme if your income is low.
Check at every appointment
A good habit is to mention that you are on a low income or a qualifying benefit whenever you book a prescription, dental appointment, sight test or order glasses, so any help you are entitled to is applied. Staff can tell you what you qualify for and what evidence you need. A moment's check at each appointment makes sure you are not paying for healthcare costs that you could have free, which over time can save a useful amount.
Where to get help
Citizens Advice and the NHS Business Services Authority can help with health costs. See our guides to Pension Credit and free benefits for over-66s for more help with everyday costs.