Free Prescription Calculator 2026/27
Check if you qualify for free NHS prescriptions in England. Instant results.
Free Prescription Calculator 2026/27 — Do You Qualify for Free NHS Prescriptions?
Prescription charges in England are £10.00 per item from April 2026. But millions get them free. If you’re on benefits, over 60, pregnant, or have a medical condition, you could save £240+ per year. Check in 30 seconds if you qualify.
2026/27 England Prescription Costs
12-month PPC: £114.50. Saves money if you need 12+ items per year.
Who Gets Free NHS Prescriptions in 2026/27?
You qualify for free prescriptions if any of these apply on the day you collect your medicine:
Age Exemptions
- Under 16 — All prescriptions free
- 16, 17 or 18 — Free if in full-time education
- 60 or over — Free prescriptions + free NHS sight tests in England
Note: In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone regardless of age.
Benefits Exemptions
You get free prescriptions if you or your partner get:
- Universal Credit — and your take-home pay was £935 or less in your last assessment period
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit — even £1 per week qualifies you
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit — with household income £15,276 or less
- HC2 Certificate — Full help with health costs via NHS Low Income Scheme
Universal Credit £935 Rule
Check your last UC statement. If “take-home pay” was £936 or more, you pay £10.00 per item. If it was £935 or less, prescriptions are free. The limit is per assessment period, not per month. Wages, self-employed earnings and some pensions count. UC, PIP and DLA do not count as earnings.
Medical & Maternity Exemptions
- Medical Exemption Certificate — Cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, Addison’s disease, thyroid disorders, myasthenia gravis, and others. Ask your GP. Free for 5 years.
- Maternity Exemption Certificate — Pregnant or had a baby in last 12 months. Covers prescriptions + NHS dental. Apply via midwife or GP.
- War Pensioner — With accepted disablement and treatment is for that condition
- Inpatient — All prescriptions free if you’re staying in an NHS hospital
How to Claim Your Free Prescriptions
- Use our calculator — Confirm you qualify before you go to pharmacy
- Tick the right box — On the back of the green FP10 prescription form. Tick A, B, C, D, E, F or G. Pharmacy staff can help.
- Show proof — Benefit award letter, HC2 certificate, Maternity/Medical Exemption card. You have 3 months to show proof if asked later.
- Keep exemption cards current — Maternity cards last 12 months after due date. Medical cards last 5 years. Renew before expiry.
Penalty Warning
If you claim free prescriptions and NHSBSA checks find you weren’t entitled, you get a £100 penalty charge plus the original prescription cost. You have 28 days to pay or prove entitlement. Always check first. If unsure, pay and claim refund with form FP57.
Prepayment Certificates — Save Money If You Pay
If you don’t qualify for free prescriptions but need regular medication, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) caps your costs:
| Certificate | Cost 2026/27 | Worth It If You Need |
|---|---|---|
| 3-month PPC | £32.05 | 4+ items in 3 months |
| 12-month PPC | £114.50 | 12+ items per year |
Buy online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk, at pharmacies, or call 0300 330 1341. Starts immediately. Refunds if you become exempt later.
Free Prescription Calculator FAQs 2026/27
I get PIP. Are prescriptions free?
No. PIP alone does NOT give free prescriptions. You need Universal Credit with low earnings, Pension Credit, or an HC2 certificate. Many PIP claimants also get UC or ESA, so check those.
What counts as “full-time education” for 16-18s?
School, college, or home education for 12+ hours per week. Apprenticeships don’t count. University doesn’t count. You must be under 19 on 31 August to keep free prescriptions that academic year.
I paid for prescriptions but I’m exempt. Can I claim back?
Yes. Ask pharmacist for FP57 refund form when you pay. Send it with receipts to NHSBSA within 3 months. You’ll get full refund if you were exempt on the date you paid.
Does my HC2 cover my partner and kids?
Yes. HC2 covers you, your partner, and dependent children under 19 living with you. HC3 gives partial help — it tells you how much you pay towards each treatment.
I have diabetes but don’t have a Medical Exemption Card. Free?
Not automatically. You must apply via your GP. They submit form FP92A. Diabetes mellitus qualifies, but only if you need medication. Gestational diabetes doesn’t count. Card lasts 5 years.
Will prescription charges rise in 2027?
Usually yes. Charges rise each April. Expect £10.30-£10.50 for 2027/28. PPC rises too. We update this calculator every March when DHSC announces rates.
Other NHS Help to Check
If you qualify for free prescriptions, check these too:
- NHS Benefits Checker — Free dental, eye tests, wigs, hospital travel
- Pension Credit Top-Up Calculator — Guarantee Credit = automatic free prescriptions
- Healthy Start Calculator — Free vitamins + food vouchers if pregnant/under 4
Disclaimer: Rules for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Based on NHSBSA guidance. England only — Scotland, Wales, NI have free prescriptions for all. Last updated: June 2026.
Need help? NHS Help with Health Costs: 0300 330 1343 or nhsbsa.nhs.uk