Not everyone getting Universal Credit is entitled to help with their health costs.
You are only entitled to claim for help with health costs if your total take-home pay for your household in your last Universal Credit assessment period was below a specific amount.
Your household's total take-home pay (the net income earned by everyone in your household after tax, National Insurance, and pensions are deducted) must be:
- £435 or less
- £935 or less if your Universal Credit payment includes an element for a child or you had limited capability for work
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the take-home pay limit applies to the joint income of you and your partner.
If your working hours and income change it’s important to regularly check if you are entitled.
The last assessment period is the one that ended immediately before the date you made your claim.
If you meet these requirements, you get:
- free NHS prescriptions
- free NHS dental treatment
- free NHS sight tests
- free NHS wigs and fabric supports
- help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
- refunds of necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment
When you make a claim, show your Universal Credit award notice to prove you’re entitled.
If you have not received your first payment yet
If you have just applied for Universal Credit, you have not completed a full assessment period yet. As such, your eligibility for help with health costs cannot be calculated immediately.
Prescriptions
In this situation, you should pay for your prescription and immediately ask the pharmacy, hospital, or doctor for a refund claim form (FP57).
Keep your receipt and the FP57 form. Once your first Universal Credit assessment is complete and your earnings are confirmed to be below the required threshold, you can use the FP57 form to claim a full refund for the charges you paid.
Dental treatment
In this situation, you should pay for your dental treatment and apply for the refund.
Find out how to claim a refund of NHS dental charges.
If you are self-employed
If you are self-employed, the rules for calculating your net earned income under Universal Credit are different. Check the specific criteria on the GOV.UK website.