DWP free NHS prescription rules for benefits including Universal Credit and PIP
People claiming certain benefits may not have to pay the £9.65 prescription fee - but some do so it's important to know the rules so you are not caught out.
Firstly, it's important to understand that the rules for free prescriptions are different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In these countries, prescriptions are free for everyone no matter their age and the rules only affect people claiming Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC benefits in England.
In England, the cost for an individual prescription is £9.65 per item - so if you have three medicines in your prescription you will have to pay the charge three times. Some people can get their prescriptions for free and this includes, people over the age of 60 and under 16, people between 16 and 18 and in full time education, people with a Medical Exemption (MedEx) or Maternity Exemption Certificate (MatEx), and people who hold a valid war pension exemption certificate.
Which benefits get you free prescriptions?
According to the NHS Business Services Authority website, you are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you claim:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you’re getting one of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 included in your award are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions. When picking up your prescriptions, you will need to use your award notice to prove that you are entitled. It is important not to confuse eligible benefits with contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, as these benefits do not automatically entitle you to free NHS prescriptions
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If you or your partner claim Guaranteed Credit of Pension Credit, or this alongside the Savings Credit too, then you are entitled to free prescriptions. If you only get the Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own - then you are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions.
You are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions if your annual family income used to work out your Tax Credits is £15,276 or less and you receive either:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit paid together
- Working Tax Credit including a disability element
If you meet these conditions, you will automatically receive an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
Free prescriptions and Universal Credit
If you’re on Universal Credit, your entitlement to free NHS prescriptions depends on how much you earned during the most recent assessment period. You’re eligible for free prescriptions if your earnings during that period were £435 or less. So that means anyone who does not work at all - and thus has zero earnings - will definitely qualify.
Similarly, claimants whose earnings are £935 or less if their Universal Credit includes an element for a child, or if they have a limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work related activity, will not have to pay for medication. If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the earnings limit applies to the joint income of you and your partner.
The most recent assessment period means the one that ended immediately before the date you claim free NHS prescriptions and it runs for one calendar month. So if your working hours and income change it’s important to check if you are entitled. When picking up your prescription, you'll need to use your Universal Credit notice as proof of your entitlement.
Do any other benefits entitle you to free prescriptions?
It's a common misconception that claiming a disability benefit will entitle you to free prescriptions. There are three disability benefits in England and these are Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance, and Attendance Allowance. None of these benefits will entitle you to free prescriptions.
If you are claiming a disability benefit due to a disability or medical condition, you should check if you are eligible for the Medical Exemption Certificate. These are credit-card-size cards which you can get after speaking to your doctor or GP. According to the NHS website, the conditions which are eligible for a medical exemption card include:
- a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
- a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
- diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
- diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
- hypoparathyroidism
- myasthenia gravis
- myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)
- epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person
- cancer and are undergoing treatment for either cancer, the effects of cancer, or the effects of cancer treatment
What help can I get with prescription costs?
People on a low income may be able to receive financial help through the NHS Low Income Support Scheme. If eligible, you would receive an HC2 certificate which will give free prescriptions, free NHS dental treatment, and free NHS eye tests. It will also give help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses, help with travelling to receive NHS treatment and free NHS wigs and fabric support.
You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit. In England, the limit is:
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- £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home (from October 2025 the limit will rise to £100,000)
- £16,000 for everyone else
To apply for an HC2 certificate, you need to complete form HC1, which is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or most NHS hospitals - you can also get an HC1 form from their doctor, dentist or optician or request one by calling the NHS Low Income Scheme helpline on 0300 123 0849.
You can find out if you are eligible for free NHS prescriptions or help with other NHS costs through the NHS eligibility checker - this can be found on the NHS website here.
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