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Can you get free NHS prescriptions?

An easy read guide about who is allowed free NHS prescriptions.

Check if you're eligible Scan the QR code or go to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check

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You can find out if you can get free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check

What allows you to get free NHS prescriptions?

Your age

Some benefits

Students who are 19 years old should check whether they are allowed free NHS prescriptions.

Students can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme (see page 11).

Not all benefits mean you are allowed free NHS prescriptions.

Check which type of benefit you get before you claim.

These benefits do not give you free NHS prescriptions:

• contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, paid on its own
• contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, paid on its own

Contribution-based benefits are benefits you have paid money towards through National Insurance.

Most people pay National Insurance when they have a job.

• Pension Credit (Savings Credit) paid on its own

Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who have saved some money for their pension.

Certificates

• any benefit paid on its own and not listed on the back of the prescription (such as State Pension, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Incapacity Benefit)

You may be entitled to an exemption certificate to claim free NHS prescriptions.

NHS maternity exemption certificate

If you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months you can get free NHS prescriptions.

But you must have a maternity exemption certificate.

Ask your midwife, doctor or health visitor to apply.

Learn more: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/matex

NHS medical exemption certificate

If you have a medical condition or physical disability, you are allowed free NHS prescriptions.

But you must have a medical exemption certificate.

To find out if your condition or disability entitles you to a medical exemption certificate for free NHS prescriptions, check the list at:

Or check with your doctor and ask them to apply.

NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate

You will be sent this certificate if your family income used to work out your tax credits is £15,276 or less a year and you get:

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit including a disability element
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit paid together

You can normally find the annual family income used to work out your Tax Credits on your award notice.

Or, you can call the Tax Credits helpline to ask (see page 24).

HC2 certificate

Your partner and any young people included in your claim for tax credits will be allowed free NHS prescriptions while the certificate is in date.

For more information go to: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/taxcredits

You may be able to get free NHS prescriptions and help with other NHS charges through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

If you have applied to the NHS Low Income Scheme and have been given an HC2 certificate you are allowed free NHS prescriptions.

Your partner and any dependant children under 19 named on your application will be allowed free NHS prescriptions while the certificate is in date.

Make sure you know what date the certificate runs out.

Having an HC3 certificate (which gives some help with health costs) does not mean you can get free NHS prescriptions.

For more information about how to apply, go to: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hc1

War pensioners

Veterans UK

If you have a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme exemption certificate or a prescription exemption certificate issued by the Ministry of Defence, you can get free NHS prescriptions.

But only if these prescriptions are for medicine that helps with your disability.

To apply for a certificate, contact Veterans UK on 0808 1914 218

NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate

If you pay for NHS prescriptions, you could save money with an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.

This is sometimes called a PPC.

A PPC lets you get as many NHS prescriptions as you need for one price.

You can get a PPC for three months or a PPC for 12 months.

For more information go to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc

How to buy a PPC:

Go to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc

Call us on 0300 330 1341

You can also buy PPCs over the counter at some pharmacies.

NHS Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescription Prepayment Certificate

If you pay for hormone replacement therapy prescriptions, you could save money by buying an NHS Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescription Prepayment Certificate.

This is sometimes called an HRT PPC.

An HRT PPC covers certain HRT medicines.

To find out what medicines are covered by the HRT PPC check the list at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc-medicines

How to buy an HRT PPC:

Online: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc

At some pharmacies

If you need help call us on 0300 330 2089.

What to do at the pharmacy

If you have an exemption certificate always check the date to see if you can still use it.

If you claim for a benefit always check whether that benefit means you can get free NHS prescriptions.

If you are not allowed free NHS prescriptions

If you are not allowed free NHS prescriptions do not claim.

If your exemption certificate is out of date do not claim.

Not sure

Pharmacy staff will tell you how much you need to pay.

If you claim free NHS prescriptions when you are not allowed, you might have to pay a penalty charge up to £100.

If you are not sure whether you are allowed free NHS prescriptions you should pay and ask the pharmacy staff for an NHS receipt and refund form.

This is also called an FP57.

If you are waiting to find out whether you're allowed free NHS prescriptions you should also pay and get an FP57.

If you find out later that you are allowed free NHS prescriptions and have proof you can get your money back.

The FP57 will tell you what to do.

If you are unsure about what to do, ask the pharmacy staff to help you.

If you are allowed free NHS prescriptions

Make sure you tick the right box on the prescription.

If someone else collects the prescription for you, make sure they know which box to tick.

If pharmacy staff ask for proof that you don't have to pay, you can show your:

• benefit entitlement or award letter
• exemption certificate

Free medications

Still not sure if you're allowed free NHS prescriptions?

You can answer some questions online to find out if you're allowed free NHS prescriptions and can get help with other NHS charges.

It usually takes three minutes. Go to www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check

If you need support ask someone you trust to help you go online and get the information you need.

This could be a family member, friend, or support worker.

For more information

Contact us using our online form at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/contact-us

Medical exemption certificate www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/medex 0300 330 1341

Maternity exemption certificate www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/matex 0300 330 1341

NHS Low Income Scheme www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hc1 0300 330 1343

NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/taxcredits 0300 330 1347

Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc 0300 330 1341

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) PPC www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc 0300 330 2089

Benefits information www.gov.uk/dwp

Pension Service helpline 0800 731 0469

Jobcentre Plus helpline Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, and Employment and Support Allowance 0800 169 0310

Universal Credit live service 0800 328 9344

Universal Credit full service 0800 318 5644

Tax Credits helpline 0345 300 3900

The information in this easy read guide was correct as of November 2024. The latest version is available at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/freeprescriptions

© Crown Copyright 2024 Produced by the NHS Business Services Authority

If you would like this information in a different format please call 0300 330 9291.