Am I entitled to free prescriptions?
NHS prescriptions cost £9.90 an item in England, but many people pay nothing. Answer a few questions to see if you qualify, which route applies, and what to claim.
How it works
In England a prescription item costs £9.90, but a long list of exemptions makes it free for many people. The routes fall into a few groups: age (under 16, 16 to 18 in full-time education, or 60 and over), income-based benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, and Universal Credit below the earnings threshold), a maternity or medical exemption certificate, and the NHS Low Income Scheme. The checker returns the first route that applies to your answers and tells you what to claim.
Universal Credit is the most complicated route. It only gives free prescriptions in an assessment period where your earnings were £435 or less, or £935 or less where the award includes an element for a child or for limited capability for work. Because that can change month to month, someone whose earnings vary may qualify in some periods but not others, and for them a prepayment certificate is often the safer option.
Worked example
Take a 34-year-old with no qualifying benefit and no exemption certificate. None of the routes apply, so they pay £9.90 an item. If they later start Pension Credit Guarantee Credit at retirement, or reach 60, the checker changes to a clear yes. In the meantime, if they need several items a year, a prepayment certificate caps the cost, and they could apply to the Low Income Scheme on form HC1 to test for an HC2 or HC3 certificate.
Common questions
Am I entitled to free prescriptions?
You get free NHS prescriptions in England if you are under 16, 16 to 18 in full-time education, 60 or over, hold a valid maternity or medical exemption certificate, get a qualifying income-based benefit, or have an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme. This checker walks through each route.
Does Universal Credit give free prescriptions?
Only in assessment periods where your earnings were £435 or less, or £935 or less if your award includes an element for a child or for limited capability for work. In higher-earning months you would pay, so a prepayment certificate can be cheaper.
What is a medical exemption certificate?
A MedEx certificate covers people with certain long-term conditions, such as diabetes treated with medication, epilepsy needing continuous treatment, or a permanent fistula. Your doctor applies for it on an FP92A form, and while it is valid all your prescriptions are free.
What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?
If your income is low but you do not get a qualifying benefit, you can apply on form HC1. An HC2 certificate gives full help, so free prescriptions, while an HC3 gives partial help towards costs. It also helps with dental charges, sight tests and travel to hospital.
Are prescriptions free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Yes. Prescriptions are free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The £9.90 charge and these exemption rules only apply in England.