NHS Low Income Scheme

Help towards NHS costs, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and travel to hospital, if your income is low.

What you get

A certificate (HC2 or HC3) that gives full or partial help with NHS charges, including prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and hospital travel costs, depending on the assessment. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different NHS charging rules (prescriptions are already free in those nations).

Who can get it

You can apply if you have a low income and are not already entitled to full help through certain benefits. Getting PIP or DLA does not automatically give you free prescriptions in England. Some people already get full help because of a qualifying benefit or other exemption — check the official NHS list before you apply.

Related entitlements

• Help with prescription charges (England)

Official sources we checked

• https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/
• https://www.gov.uk/get-help-with-nhs-costs

Last checked 10 November 2026. This page is information, not an eligibility decision or legal advice. Always confirm the current rules on the official source before you apply.