A diverse woman in her 30s at a pharmacy counter. Pharmacist is handing her a prescription bag with a green tick/checkmark overlay. On the counter: subtle icons floating above — tooth, glasses, eye chart, pill bottle, wig, hospital travel symbol. A small HC2 certificate card visible in her hand.

NHS Benefits Checker 2025/26

Find out if you qualify for free prescriptions, dental, eye tests & maternity help

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NHS Benefits Checker 2025/26 — Free Prescriptions, Dental, Eye Tests & More

Paying NHS charges you shouldn’t? If you’re on benefits, pregnant, over 60, or have certain medical conditions, you could get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, wigs, and travel to hospital — worth £100s per year.

Our NHS Benefits Checker tells you in 30 seconds if you qualify for an HC2 certificate for full help, or HC3 for partial help with NHS costs.

2025/26 You Qualify If You Get

  • Universal Credit + earnings under £935/month in last assessment period
  • Income Support, JSA, ESA, or Pension Credit — automatic full help
  • Tax Credits + income under £15,276/year
  • Child under 16, or 16-18 in full-time education
  • 60 or over — free prescriptions + eye tests
  • Pregnant or had a baby in last 12 months — Maternity Exemption
  • Medical conditions — Cancer, diabetes, epilepsy + others — Medical Exemption

Also covers: Free NHS dental, sight tests, glasses vouchers, NHS wigs, and travel to hospital appointments.

How to Claim Your Free NHS Help

  1. Check with our tool — Instant yes/no based on 2025/26 rules
  2. Automatic: If you get UC, Pension Credit, or tax credits, you’re usually sent an exemption automatically
  3. Apply for HC2/HC3: Form HC1 from Jobcentre, GP, dentist, or online. Covers you + partner + kids under 19
  4. Show proof: Benefit letter, Maternity Exemption Card, Medical Exemption Card, or HC2 certificate when you pay

Warning: Claiming free NHS care when you don’t qualify = £100 penalty charge + original cost. Always check first.

NHS Benefits FAQs 2025/26

Do I get free prescriptions on Universal Credit?

Only if your take-home pay was £935 or less in your last UC assessment period. If you earned £936+, you pay £9.90 per item. Check your UC statement.

What’s the difference between HC2 and HC3?

HC2 = Full help — all NHS costs free. HC3 = Partial help — tells you how much you pay towards dental, glasses, travel. Most low-income people get HC2.

I’m 60+ — what’s free?

Prescriptions and NHS sight tests are free from age 60 in England. Dental is NOT free unless you get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Wales, Scotland & NI have different rules.

Does pregnancy cover dental treatment?

Yes. With a Maternity Exemption Certificate, you get free NHS dental + prescriptions while pregnant and for 12 months after birth. Apply via your midwife or GP.

Can I get free NHS wigs?

Yes, with HC2 certificate or if you get qualifying benefits. Also free if you’re a hospital inpatient or have certain medical conditions like alopecia from cancer treatment.

Disclaimer: Rules for 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026. Based on NHS BSA guidance. Last updated: June 2026.