Benefits - National Health Service Benefits
What is it?
The National Health Service was launched in 1948 it was
based on three core principles:
- That it meet the needs of everyone
- That it be free at the point of delivery
- That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
It is financed entirely from taxation, which means that people
pay into it according to their means. Whilst treatment is usually
free there are charges for some things and you may be eligible for
help with health costs if you are on low income.
You may be entitled to health costs like:
- National Health Service prescription charges
- National Health Service dental treatment, including
check-ups
- Sight Tests
- Vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- Travel costs to and from hospital for National Health Service
treatment under
- The care of a consultant or on a referral by a doctor or
dentist.
- Wigs and fabric supports, such as abdominal and spinal
supports
Who is eligible?
You may get help with the cost of charges if at least one of the
following applies. You are getting or are included in an
award of:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit
- Working Tax Credit with either Child Tax Credit or a disability
element (depending on your income)
You may also get help with the cost of charges if you are:
- Named on a valid National Health Service Exemption
Certificate
- 60+ (for National Health Service sight tests)
- Under 16, under 18 for National Health Service dental
treatment
- Under 19 and in full-time education
- Suffer from a listed medical condition
- Have a Maternity Exemption Certificate (for National Health
Service dental treatment and National Health Service prescription
charges).
- Prisoner in England
If none of the above applies and you are on low income, you may
be able to get help with costs through the National Health Service
Low Income Scheme.
How much will I get?
The amount of help you get depends on you:
- Household income (earnings, some benefits and tax credits,
occupational
- pensions
- Savings
- Circumstances (ages & size of family, any person with
Disability in the family)
How do I apply?
For the National Health Service Low Income Scheme, you will need
to complete form HC1. The form can be obtained from:
- Jobcentreplus Office
- National Health Service hospital
- Doctor
- Dentist
- Optician
- National Health Service Forms order line on 0845 610 1112
- E-mail nhsforms@spsl.uk.com
For more information on National Health benefits click on
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
or http://www.direct.gov.uk/