Help with Health Costs

In Northern Ireland everyone is eligible for free prescriptions. When you reach 60, you can also get a free sight test.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit you automatically qualify for help towards additional health costs, including:

• free dental treatment
• an eye test once a year
• a voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
• free wigs and fabric supports
• help with necessary travel costs to receive healthcare treatment if you’re referred by a doctor, dentist or need to see a consultant.

Health Service Low Income Scheme

If you don’t get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit but have a low income and less than £16,000 in property, savings or any other money (either on your own or jointly if you’re a couple), you may still get some help with these costs through the Health Service Low Income Scheme. You may be eligible for this scheme if you live permanently in a care home and have savings of less than £23,250.

How do I claim?

If you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you’re automatically entitled to help with health costs. If you don’t receive Guarantee Credit but meet the other criteria, you’ll need to fill in a HC1 claim form, which you can pick up from a Social Security Office, dentist, optician or hospital. Or you can download a copy from www.nidirect.gov.uk