Claiming Free Prescriptions
You can get free NHS prescriptions if at the time the prescription is dispensed you:
are aged 60 or over are under 16
are aged 16, 17 or 18 in full-time
education are pregnant, or have had a baby in
the previous 12 months and have a valid exemption certificate have a listed medical condition and
have a valid exemption certificate have a continuing physical disability
which means you cannot go out without help from another person and have a valid exemption certificate are an NHS in-patient
are getting, or your partner gets:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers
Allowance (Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count, as they are not income related) Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
are entitled to, or named on, a valid
NHS tax credit exemption certificate are named on a valid HC2
certificate are a war pensioner, the prescription
is for your accepted disablement and you have a valid war pension exemption certificate.
If you are claiming free prescriptions because of your age i.e.
- under 16 years of age
- 16, 17 or 18 years of age and in full time education
- 60 years of age and over
you will be asked by your pharmacist or dispensing
doctor to provide proof of your entitlement to free prescriptions.
Your date of birth in many cases will already be printed on your prescription
- if you are under 16 or 60 and over, this is all the proof you will need.
If you are 16, 17 or 18 and in full time education, you will also be asked for proof of your education status.
If you cannot provide proof, you will still get your prescription free of charge, but your entitlement will be checked later by the NHS.
Patients claiming exemption from NHS prescription charges for other reasons have been asked for proof of entitlement since 1 April 1999.
Ask your pharmacist or dispensing doctor for advice. Ask for a free leaflet HC11 or download at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/80/85/04078085.pdf
or call Freephone 0800 91 77 711 for more information about free prescriptions.
See the table overleaf for types of proof, which are accepted when exemption is claimed because of age.
People between 16 and 60 who claim free prescriptions will be asked to provide proof that they are entitled to do so.
Which Means that:
 | You should make sure you have the proof you need before sending us your
prescription. Details of who is eligible, what proof they need and where to
get it are shown below.
| You should make sure you enclose the proof with your prescription.
| If we do not receive the required proof you will still get your
prescription but you should be aware that your eligibility will be checked. | |
| You are eligible if you are... | The proof you need to have | Where and how to get it |
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| * under 16 | any official document showing name and proof of age, including a NHS Medical Card. | a NHS Medical Card is issued when a child is first registered as a patient with a GP. If you need a new card, you should contact your local Primary Care Trust. |
| note: from July 1999 details of date of birth will be on most prescription forms. In this case, no further proof is needed. | ||
|
||
| * between 16-18 and in full time education | a Child Benefit Order Book or... | the Child Benefit centre0845 302 144 |
| if no longer eligible for Child Benefit, evidence of date of birth and educational status. | your school, college, university or local education authority can supply proof you are in qualifying full time education | |
| * 60 or over | any
official document showing your name and date of birth, such as a
retirement pension book, driving licence or a NHS Medical Card. *note: from April 2005 if details of date of birth are automatically printed on the front of the prescription, there is no need for a signature by the patient to claim exemption and no further proof is needed. |
a NHS Medical Card is issued when you first register as a patient with a GP. If you need a new card, you should contact your local Health Authority. |
|
||
| pregnant, or you have had a baby in the last 12 months | a maternity exemption certificate or card (Medex). | your GP or midwife will give you a FW8 application form. You should send it to your local Health Authority. |
|
||
| entitled to medical exemptions | a medical exemption certificate or card (Medex). | your local GP, hospital or pharmacy will give you a FP92A application form. In Scotland EC92A;in Wales FP92W.The form tells you what to do. A certificate/card will be sent to you upon receipt ofa properly completed application form. |
|
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| a war or MoD pensioner | a War Pensions Exemption Certificate. | Write to:The Veterans Agency,Norcross,Blackpool,FY5 3WP |
|
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| entitled to a prepayment certificate | a certificate of Prepayment of Charges (FP96). | England:Phone
0845 850 0030 (8am to 6pm) to pay by credit or debit card. If paying by
cheque use an application form FP95 from your pharmacy or buy online www.ppa.org.uk
|
|
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| in the NHS Low Income Scheme | HC2 Certificate for full help with health costs.HC3 for partial remission of NHS charges (from April 2005).Lasts 5 years | obtainable via an HC1 claim form, available from a Social Security office or a hospital. Also, ask for booklet HC11. If you think you may qualify for help, send the form in the envelope which goes with the HC1 form. After a pilot in conjunction with RNIB ,completed forms just needing signatures can now be sent out to those in need. Phone 0845 850 1166 for more information. |
|
||
| receiving any of the following benefits | ||
| Income
Support
or your partner is getting this benefit
Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based) or your partner is getting benfit getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or your partner is getting this benefit.
|
your
Order Book or an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre
Plus office
An entitlement letter from your job centre
Your award notice from the Pension Service. |
Claim at the Job centre. Incapacity or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are income related. If payments are made into your bank or building society, you can obtain proof in the form of an entitlement letter from your job centre Plus office. If you have lost or mislaid your pension service award notice ,contact the Pensions Service phone line on 0845 606 0265. |
| getting tax credits and meeting the qualifying conditions.Or your partner receives tax credits and meets the qualifying conditions | A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate or you can use your tax credit award notice. | if you are eligible for free prescriptions,your exemption certificate will be sent to you.If you haven't yet received your certificate,use your award notice. |
| Named on a
valid
HC2 certificate |
An NHS certificate HC2 for full help with health costs | Make a claim using form HC1,obtainable from your Jobcentre Plus office or calling 0845 850 1166 or 08701 555 455.you may also be able to get an HC1 from your local hospital, dentist,optician or doctor. |
|
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Call the free Advice line for information and guidance Freephone 0800 91 77 711.
If you are eligible for free prescriptions you may find it useful to apply for the relevant exemption certificate before needing a prescription.From April 2005 all medical and maternity exemptions certificates will start from one month prior to the date of receipt of application by the Prescription Pricing Authority.
