Help with NHS prescriptions and dental check ups for students and other low income groups

Once you reach 18 prescriptions are no longer free in England.

However, as a student (likely with a low income) it’s very possible that you’re going to qualify for a HC2 certificate. This tells your pharmacist that you are exempt from paying for prescriptions for 12 months, and it’ll also work for dentist and opticians visits too.

To get an HC2 certificate you need to fill out an HC1 form, you can pick one up from your dentist, opticians or pharmacist, or you can download a form and print it off by following the link below:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

When you have filled in this form. Send it to: Low Income Scheme, NHS Business Services Authority, Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6SN. A stamp is needed. Postage costs may differ depending on the size of the envelope you use.

Once you receive your card you just need to take it into the pharmacy with you when you go and pick up your medicine and you won’t be charged.

Please note: You do NOT need to fill in this form if you or your partner are:

• getting Income Support;

• getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit;

• getting Universal Credit and you had no earnings or net earnings of £435 or less during the most recent assessment period (£935 if you had a child element or had limited capability for work);

• getting income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;

• getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance;

• named on, or entitled to, an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate;

• or if you are under age 20 and someone is getting one of the benefits listed above which includes you as a dependent.

You are already entitled to full help with health costs.

However, if you paid any health costs before you started getting any of these benefits or before you became entitled to your NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, read of this form to find out if you can claim your money back.

You cannot get help with health costs if you or your partner (or both) have more than: • £16,000 in savings, investments or property (not counting the place where you live); or • £23,250 in savings, investments or property if you live permanently in a care home.