How to get free NHS prescriptions, dental care, and eye tests on Universal Credit
Key points
- If your take-home pay is £435 a month or less on Universal Credit, you can get free NHS prescriptions, dental care, and eye tests in England.
- The earnings limit rises to £935 a month if your UC award includes a child element or a limited capability for work payment.
- If your earnings are over the limit, the NHS Low Income Scheme may still reduce your costs — ask for a HC1 form at any pharmacy.
If you get Universal Credit and your earnings are low, you could be saving money on NHS health costs. In England, that means free prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests.
Many people on Universal Credit do not know they qualify. If you have been paying and you were exempt, you can claim a refund for the last 3 months.
Prescriptions
Each NHS prescription item costs £9.90 in England. But you do not have to pay if you get Universal Credit and your take-home pay in your last assessment period was:
- nothing at all, or
- £435 or less, or
- £935 or less — if your UC includes a child element or a limited capability for work payment.
When you collect a prescription, tick box U on the back of the form. This tells the pharmacist you are exempt. Keep your UC payment notices in case you are asked to prove it.
Dental treatment
The same earnings limits apply to NHS dental care. Tell the receptionist at your dental surgery that you get Universal Credit and want to use your exemption. You will fill in a short form at the surgery. Your dentist submits it — you pay nothing.
If you are unsure, check your last UC payment notice and compare your take-home pay to the limits above.
Eye tests and glasses
You can get a free NHS eye test if your earnings are within the same limits. You also get a voucher toward the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
The voucher value depends on the strength of your lenses. Your optician will tell you which amount applies. If your glasses cost more than the voucher value, you pay the difference.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →What if your earnings are higher?
If your pay is above these limits, you might still get help. The NHS Low Income Scheme lets you apply for reduced or free costs. Ask at your pharmacy, GP surgery, or hospital for a HC1 form. You can also find it by searching GOV.UK.
A HC2 certificate means you get full help with costs. A HC3 certificate means you get partial help.
Paid when you did not need to?
You can claim a refund for any NHS payment made in the last 3 months. Ask your pharmacist, dentist, or optician for a refund form.
For advice on what you are entitled to, contact Citizens Advice.
Frequently asked questions
I paid for a prescription before I knew I was exempt — can I get my money back?
Yes — ask your pharmacist for a refund form and claim within 3 months of the date you paid.
Do these rules apply in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
No — prescriptions are free for everyone in those nations regardless of income, so you do not need to meet any earnings test there.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/help-nhs-costs