What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?

For people on a low income who struggle to pay NHS health costs.

Applies to: England, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

The NHS Low Income Scheme can help you pay for health costs if you have a low income.

It can help with prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses, travel to NHS treatment and wigs.
Your savings must be £16,000 or less, or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home (£24,000 in Wales).
An HC2 certificate gives full help. An HC3 gives partial help.
You do not need to apply if you get certain benefits, such as Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
Apply online or with form HC1. Decisions usually take up to 18 working days.

Different in Northern Ireland

Prescriptions are free for everyone. Claim other help with form HC1 through a Jobs and Benefits office.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland

Key facts

Savings limit £16,000
HC2 full help, HC3 partial help
Apply online or on form HC1
Decision in about 18 working days

What the scheme helps with

The NHS Low Income Scheme helps with health costs if your income is low. It is run by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). It can help with:

NHS prescription charges
NHS dental treatment charges
sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
travel to and from NHS treatment
NHS wigs and fabric supports

Who it is for

You can apply if your savings, investments and property (not counting the home you live in) are no more than these limits:

Where you live	Savings limit
Most people	£16,000
Permanently in a care home	£23,250
Permanently in a care home in Wales	£24,000

You do not need to apply if you or your partner already get full help through benefits. The NHS lists, for example, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit if you meet the criteria.

HC2 and HC3: full or partial help

The NHSBSA compares your weekly income with your weekly "requirements". Requirements means an allowance for day-to-day living costs plus your housing costs.

Certificate	When you get it	What it means
HC2	Your income is no more than your requirements, or above them by no more than half a prescription charge	Full help with the costs listed above
HC3	Your income is higher than your requirements	Partial help. The certificate shows how much you pay

Certificates usually last between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances. Apply again before yours runs out.

How to apply

Online. Use the NHSBSA online service. You cannot apply online if your savings are over £6,000 or you live in Northern Ireland.
On paper. Use form HC1. In England you can order it online or print it. Post it to NHS Low Income Scheme, NHS Business Services Authority, Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6SN. You need a stamp.
Help on the phone. Call 0300 330 1343 if you need help with your claim.

Decisions usually take up to 18 working days. If you have already paid for treatment, you can ask for a refund when you apply.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Wales: prescriptions are free if you are registered with a GP in Wales. Use form HC1W to get help with dental, eye and travel costs.
Scotland: the scheme works by comparing your income with your needs. The capital limits are £16,000, or £23,250 in a care home. You can get form HC1 from Jobcentre Plus offices and NHS hospitals.
Northern Ireland: all prescriptions are free. Use form HC1 and send it to your local Jobs and Benefits office. HC2 and HC3 certificates there last 12 months.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for the Low Income Scheme

Common questions

How long does an HC2 certificate last?

Certificates usually last between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

Can I get a refund for costs I have already paid?

Yes. You can ask for a refund at the same time as you apply.

Can I apply online if I have savings over £6,000?

No. If your savings are worth more than £6,000 you need to use the paper form HC1.

Official sources

1.NHS Low Income Scheme (NHSBSA)www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme
2.NHS Low Income Scheme (NHS)www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/
3.If you cannot apply online (NHSBSA)www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme/if-you-cannot-apply-online-nhs-low-income-scheme
4.Help with health costs (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-health-costs

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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