Guides › Health and Private Care › NHS Low Income Scheme: Help With Health Costs
NHS Low Income Scheme: Help with Health Costs
The NHS Low Income Scheme can help pay for NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses, contact lenses and travel to NHS treatment. You get an HC2 certificate for full help or an HC3 for partial help. You cannot apply if you or your partner have more than £16,000 in savings, or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Low Income Scheme
NHSBSA
The scheme could help you pay for NHS prescription charges, NHS dental treatment charges, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses, and travel to receive NHS treatment. HC2 is a certificate for full help with health costs, including free prescriptions; HC3 is for partial help. You cannot apply if you or your partner have more than £16,000 in savings, investments or property (not including your home), or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home (£24,000 in Wales). source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Before you payApplyCheck if refunds are possible for recent costs
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check your savings are under the limit.
Step 2 of 5
Apply online with the NHS Business Services Authority.
Step 3 of 5
Send proof of income, savings and housing costs.
Step 4 of 5
Show your HC2 or HC3 when you get treatment.
Step 5 of 5
Keep receipts in case you can claim a refund.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
NHS Business Services Authority
Apply for the Low Income Scheme.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Never tick a box for free prescriptions unless you are sure you are entitled.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme Checked 13 October 2026