The Government is proposing to raise the age that people automatically benefit from free NHS prescriptions from 60 to 66 inline with the state pension. However, millions of Britons could get free prescriptions depending on their health needs and financial situation.
More than two million more people could be asked to pay for their medication if Government plans to bring the benefit in line with the state pension age get the green light.
It’s more bad news for people who are already struggling to make ends meet amid the soaring cost of living.
Campaigners are urging Britons to check they are receiving all the state benefits they are entitled to.
People on state benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and working tax credits could be making savings with free NHS prescriptions.
READ MORE: PIP claimants urged to claim 10 freebies that could save thousands
Who qualifies for free NHS prescriptions?
- People under 16
- Anyone aged 60 or over
- People aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- Pregnant mothers, or anyone who has had a baby in the previous 12 months and has a valid maternity exemption certificate
- Those who are registered disabled
- An NHS inpatient
- People in receipt of Income Support
- Anyone in receipt of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Those in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Applicants in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Some Universal Credit claimants
- Some people claiming child tax credits or working tax credits
- Those in receipt of a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
- Anyone living in Scotland
- People living in Wales.
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said lots of people are exempt from paying for their prescriptions.
They said: “Around 90 percent of community prescriptions in England are free of charge, and people don’t pay if they are on a low income, over 60, or have certain medical conditions.
“The upper age exemption has not changed since 1995 and that is why we have consulted on restoring the link between this and the state pension age.”
To check one’s eligibility for free prescriptions – people can use the NHS free prescription eligibility checker tool.
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