Tax Credit payments made by HMRC are ending on 5 April 2025
If you're currently receiving tax credits from HMRC, these will no longer be paid after 5 April 2025. If you have a valid tax credit exemption certificate, automatic entitlement to full help with health costs because of your tax credits will stop when it runs out.
People receiving tax credits are being moved to Universal Credit. When your tax credits have stopped and you're moved to Universal Credit, you must meet the Universal Credit conditions to be entitled to full help with health costs. Read our Universal Credit page to check if you are entitled to help with your health costs.
You could get help to pay for:
- NHS prescriptions
- NHS dental treatment
- sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
- travel to receive NHS treatment
- NHS wigs and fabric supports
Find out what help you could get using our eligibility checker. If you're eligible for help, you can find out what to do next and apply through the checker.
It should take about 3 minutes to check.
Who gets help
The help you're entitled to depends on where you live and if you:
- get certain benefits
- are pregnant or recently had a baby
- are aged 60 and over
- are aged 19 and under
- get a War Pension
- have a certain medical condition
Check before you tick
If you’re unsure or waiting to find out if you’re eligible for help, pay your NHS charge. Checks are made on claims for free NHS prescriptions and free and reduced cost dental treatment. If you claim incorrectly you could have to pay a penalty charge.
If you find out you’re eligible, you can apply for a refund. For refund details read the HC11 booklet (PDF: 241KB).
Apply for help to pay NHS costs through the Low Income Scheme
If you do not qualify for the help that you need, you can apply for help through our Low Income Scheme. You could be eligible depending on your household income and outgoings.