JuniperHealth

NHS health costs

Help with NHS health costs

Many people can get free or cheaper prescriptions, eye tests, glasses, dental care and travel to hospital. It depends on your age, health, income and benefits.

Written by Neil Hyde Last checked 1 minute read

The NHS is free to use, but in England there are charges for prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and glasses. Lots of people can get these free or cheaper, but many do not know it.

Who gets help

You may get help because of:

  • your age: for example, under 16, or 60 or over for prescriptions and sight tests
  • education: being 16 to 18 and in full-time education
  • pregnancy: being pregnant or having had a baby in the last 12 months
  • your health: for example, some long-term conditions give free prescriptions, and diabetes or glaucoma give free sight tests
  • your benefits: Universal Credit (with earnings under a limit), income-related ESA or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • a low income: through the NHS Low Income Scheme
Free self-check

NHS health costs check

Find out if you can get free prescriptions, eye tests, glasses, dental treatment and help with travel to hospital.

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In Wales

Prescriptions are free for everyone registered with a GP in Wales. Dental check-ups are free if you are under 25 or 60 or over. Help with other costs follows similar rules to England.

In this guide

Common questions

I get PIP or DLA. Do I get free prescriptions?

Not on its own. PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance do not give you free prescriptions. You may qualify for another reason, such as your age, a medical exemption certificate, or getting Universal Credit with low earnings.

I used to get free prescriptions on Income Support or JSA. What now?

From 15 April 2026, Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance no longer give free NHS prescriptions, because these benefits are being replaced by Universal Credit. Check whether you qualify another way, for example through Universal Credit, your age or a medical exemption certificate.

Sources we used

We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.