MILLIONS of people can get free NHS prescriptions through a little-known rule.
The cost of a prescription is currently £9.65 per item but you don’t have to pay for them if you’re on certain benefits.
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It will come as good news amidst the cost of living crisis, as households struggle with increased energy and food prices.
We reveal what benefits you need to be receiving to get free NHS prescriptions.
Who is eligible for free NHS prescriptions?
Those on the following benefits can get help covering the cost of prescriptions:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Element
- Universal Credit (if you meet the criteria)
To get a free prescription on Universal Credit, you need to have no earnings or have had net earnings of £435 or less in your last Universal Credit assessment period.
You also qualify if you receive a Universal Credit child element, or you or your partner have a limited capability for work (LCW) or a limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA).
You also need to have no earnings or must have earned £935 or less in your last Universal Credit assessment period.
You should take your benefit award notice along with you to the pharmacy to prove you’re entitled to a free prescription.
If you’re not on the above benefits, you may still be eligible for a free prescription.
For example, you will be eligible if you have a medical exemption certificate (MedEx) and are suffering from one of the following conditions:
- cancer
- a permanent fistula
- a form of hypoadrenalism
- diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
- diabetes mellitus
- hypoparathyroidism
- myasthenia gravis
- myxoedema
- epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person
You can also get free prescriptions if you’re pregnant or on a low income.
There’s a simple and quick way to find out if you’re in line for a free prescription.
You just have to visit the NHS Business Service Authority’s website – it should take just three minutes to check.
What other freebies can I get if I’m on benefits?
It’s not just NHS prescriptions you can get for free if you’re on benefits.
You can get help via cost of living payments too – the Government is handing out £900 payments to those on the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension credit
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments of £301, £300 and £299.
The first instalment is being paid between now and May 17 to the vast majority of people.
The second and third instalments will be paid in autumn this year and spring 2024 respectively.
There’s also cost of living payments for millions of elderly people and the disabled due to be paid later this year and in 2024.
Meanwhile, you might be in line for help if you’re on a low income or benefits through the Household Support Fund.
Plus, new mothers can get a £500 free payment via the Sure Start Maternity Grant. You will qualify if you receive the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest loan (in some cases)
You have to claim the grant within 11 weeks of your baby’s due date or six months after the baby’s birth.
You don’t have to pay the grant back and it will not impact your other benefit or tax credit allowances.
There’s eight freebies or discounts you can get now if you’re on Universal Credit and other benefits.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk
