Although most NHS treatments are free, there are still some things you might need to pay for, such as prescription charges or travel costs to attend a hospital appointment.
If you’re eligible, you could get help paying for:
- NHS prescriptions
- NHS dental treatment
- Sight tests, new glasses or contact lenses
- Repairing or replacing your glasses or contact lenses
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
- Travel for NHS treatment
Support is available, depending on your circumstances including; household income, council tax and housing costs. Any help received will also cover partners and children under 19. You can check your eligibility by completing a 3-minute online form.
You don’t have to be claiming benefits to apply for NHS support. If you’re employed with a low income, you may also be eligible for help.
Apply online for help with NHS costs in as little as 20 minutes
- Answer personalised questions based on your circumstances
- Get instant confirmation that your application has been received
- Get a reference number to use if you have any queries
It’s worth bearing in mind that certain benefits or tax credits already entitle people to full help with health costs. You don’t need to apply if you or your partner:
- Get Income Support
- Get income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Get income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Are named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- Get Universal Credit and meet the criteria
Save money on NHS prescriptions by prepaying for them
If you pay for your prescriptions, you could save money by buying an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.
You can pay a set price for prescriptions for 3 or 12 months, no matter how many prescriptions you need or what your financial circumstances are.
A single prescription costs £9.35 per item, but prepaying for an unlimited number of prescriptions is:
- £30.25 for 3 months
- £108.10 for 12 months (or 10 Direct Debit instalments of £10.81)
Find out how it works and buy yours here.
Help with prescription charges
Care at the Chemist is an NHS scheme available across all community pharmacies in Knowsley, which enables patients to get treatment for certain minor conditions without needing to see or contact their GP for a prescription first.
Treatment under Care at the Chemist is fast, convenient, and medicines are free for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions. Those who do pay will only pay for what the item costs or a standard prescription fee (whichever is lower).
Some of the symptoms currently covered under Care at the Chemist include treatment for sore throats, urinary infections, eye infections, minor skin conditions and thrush – plus many more.
