NHS Low Income Scheme 2026/27: How the HC1 Certificate Works
How the NHS Low Income Scheme and HC1/HC2/HC3 certificates work, what they cover, and how to apply if you're not automatically entitled to free NHS costs.
Who needs to apply via HC1
Not everyone with a low income is automatically entitled to free NHS costs. Certain benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, and some Universal Credit awards) carry automatic entitlement without a separate application. The Low Income Scheme, via the HC1 form, exists specifically for people who don't fall into one of those automatic categories but still have a genuinely low income and limited savings.
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| Certificate | Level of help |
|---|---|
| HC2 | Full help — free prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, optical vouchers, full NHS travel cost reimbursement |
| HC3 | Partial help — level depends on the individual financial assessment |
The assessment considers income, savings/capital above a set limit, and certain outgoings such as housing costs, in a similar way to other means-tested support calculations.
Practical tips for applying
- Apply as soon as you think you might qualify — certificates aren't usually backdated indefinitely, though costs paid shortly before approval can sometimes be reclaimed.
- Keep receipts for NHS costs paid while an application is pending, in case a backdated claim becomes possible.
- Reapply before a certificate expires to avoid a gap in support, if your circumstances haven't changed enough to qualify automatically another way.
- HC1 packs are available from GPs, dentists, opticians, Jobcentre Plus, and the NHS Business Services Authority.
Sources
- NHS Business Services Authority: NHS Low Income Scheme
- gov.uk: Help with NHS health costs
Frequently asked questions
What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?
The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) provides help with NHS costs — prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and travel to appointments — for people on a low income who aren't automatically entitled to free NHS costs through another route, such as certain means-tested benefits.
What is an HC1 form?
The HC1 form is the application form for the NHS Low Income Scheme. It asks about income, savings, and outgoings (such as housing costs) to assess whether you qualify for full or partial help (HC2 or HC3 certificate) with NHS costs, based on a needs assessment similar in principle to other means-tested support.
What's the difference between an HC2 and HC3 certificate?
An HC2 certificate provides full help with NHS costs — free prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and optical vouchers, and full reimbursement of travel costs to NHS appointments. An HC3 certificate provides partial help, with the exact level depending on the individual's specific financial assessment.
Am I automatically entitled to free NHS costs without applying for the Low Income Scheme?
Some people are automatically entitled without needing an HC1 assessment — for example, those receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or Universal Credit meeting certain earnings conditions. The Low Income Scheme is specifically for people who don't qualify automatically through one of these routes but still have a low income.
What counts as savings for the Low Income Scheme assessment?
The assessment looks at savings, investments and property (excluding the home you live in) above a set capital limit, similar in principle to the capital rules used for other means-tested benefits — savings above the relevant limit can reduce or remove entitlement, so it's worth checking the current limit when applying rather than assuming an old figure still applies.
How long does an HC2 or HC3 certificate last?
Certificates are typically issued for a fixed period (commonly around six months to a year, depending on individual circumstances), after which a fresh application is needed if the individual's situation hasn't changed in a way that would otherwise trigger automatic entitlement — reapplying before a certificate expires avoids a gap in support.
Can I claim back money spent on NHS costs before my HC1 application was approved?
In some circumstances, costs paid shortly before a successful application can be reclaimed — keeping receipts for prescriptions, dental treatment and related NHS costs while an HC1 application is pending is worthwhile in case a backdated reclaim is possible once the certificate is issued.
Does the NHS Low Income Scheme cover NHS dental costs?
Yes — an HC2 certificate covers NHS dental treatment costs in full, and an HC3 certificate provides partial help, both assessed through the same HC1 application as prescriptions, sight tests and optical costs.
Who typically applies for the Low Income Scheme rather than getting automatic entitlement?
People with a low income who aren't receiving one of the automatically-qualifying benefits — for example, some self-employed people with fluctuating income, those on a low wage without qualifying for Universal Credit's earnings-related automatic entitlement, or students and pensioners with modest income and savings just above other benefit thresholds — commonly use the HC1 route.
Where can I get help filling in the HC1 form?
NHS Low Income Scheme application packs (including the HC1 form) are available from GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, Jobcentre Plus offices, and directly from the NHS Business Services Authority, and Citizens Advice or a local welfare rights service can help with completing the form if needed.
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