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Everyone
over 60 qualifies for free prescriptions. Just tick the relevant box on
the back of the prescription, complete the declaration and hand it over
at the chemist's counter. If you want to know if you're eligible for free
prescriptions you can call the Department of Health's Prescriptions Advice
Line on 0800 917 7711.
Dental treatment
Dental treatment is not free for everyone. If you're not entitled to free
treatment or to some help towards health charges then the cost of a check-up
will be around £4.92. Bring your certificate HC2 or HC3 with you if you
are eligible for help, and you will just have to tick a box on a form
provided.
If you have already paid for dental costs and now realise that you are
eligible for help with costs, you can apply for a refund by filling in
form HC5.
Always make sure your dentist is treating you as an NHS patient as you
cannot claim for help with the cost of private treatment.
Sight tests and glasses
It's vital you have a sight test from an eye specialist at least every
two years. Sight tests don't just determine if you need glasses, they
can also detect diseases at an early stage when they can be effectively
treated.
You are entitled to a free sight test if you are 60 or over. If you're
younger but on low income you might be able to claim a refund by filling
in form HC5.
Vouchers for glasses
Even if you qualify for full help with health costs this won't necessarily
cover the complete cost of your glasses. If you need new glasses you will
receive a voucher from your optician that you use to pay for them. Its
value depends on what kind of glasses you need. It should cover the cost
of a suitable pair of glasses but if you want more expensive frames you
will have to pay the extra yourself.
Certificates HC2 or HC3 qualify you for a voucher, so do Income Support,
Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance, Working Families' Tax Credit and
Disabled Person's Tax Credit. Just show your optician some proof and he/she
will give it to you.
Wigs and fabric supports
If you need a wig or a fabric support for medical reasons you might be
able to get help with some or all of the cost. The criteria are the same
as above, ie certificate HC2 or HC3 qualify you, and so do the other considerations.
Travel to hospital
You might also be able to claim all or part of the cost of travel to hospital
for yourself or an escort, if you need one for medical reasons. You will
need to use the cheapest form of transport available.
Usually you have to pay in advance and reclaim the money from the hospital
by showing your certificate HC3 or your Income Support book. However,
if you cannot get to hospital because you cannot afford to, ask the hospital
to send you payment in advance. If you cannot get this in time, you could
try to get a Social Fund Crisis Loan from your local Benefits Agency office.
Visiting someone in hospital
If you're visiting a close relative or partner in hospital and you get
Income Support or Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance, you might be able
to get help with travel expenses from the Social Fund. For more information
see Help the Aged's leaflet 'Can You Claim It?'  |
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