Martin Lewis offers advice on NHS prescriptions
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The NHS offers free prescriptions to certain groups of people who are eligible. Some groups are automatically entitled to free medication from the NHS, while others will need to apply for certificates that entitle them to free prescriptions.
Certain medications are free to everyone, regardless of eligibility, such as contraception and medication given to hospital inpatients.
However, for other prescriptions, people may be required to pay a fee.
If you fall into one of the eligibility criteria set out by the NHS, you may be entitled to get all of your medication for free.
You can check whether you are able to get free NHS prescriptions using the NHS eligibility checker.
Here are the seven groups eligible for free NHS prescriptions
Age
You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you’re:
- Under 16
- Aged 16-18 and in full-time education
- Aged 60 or over
According to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA): “If your date of birth is printed electronically on your prescription, you don’t need to provide proof of your age when claiming free prescriptions.
“However, if you’re 16, 17 or 18, you may need to show proof that you’re in full-time education.”
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Benefits
You are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
In the event you are awarded any of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions.
You may be required to show your award notice as proof that you are entitled to free prescriptions.
According to NHSBSA: “If you’re receiving contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions.
“However, you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.”
You are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you receive Universal Credit or if you or your partner gets:
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit.
NHSBSA added: “If you get Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions. However, you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.”
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions allow patients to receive free NHS prescriptions.
You should use your certificate as proof of entitlement.
Low income
People who have a low income, including students and pensioners, are entitled to free medication from the NHS.
In this case, you must have a valid HC2 certificate.
These certificates are issued to people who qualify for help with health costs via the NHS Low Income Scheme.
People who receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments
You are entitled to a free NHS prescription if you have a valid war pension exemption certificate and your prescription is for your “accepted disability”.
NHSBSA adds: “You’re also entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports if they relate to your accepted disability and you have a valid war pension exemption certificate.”
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