• are aged 60 or over

• are under 16

• are an NHS in-patient

• are getting, or your partner gets:

– Income Support

– Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

If you are claiming free prescriptions because of your age i.e.

- under 16 years of age
- 16, 17 or 18 years of age and in full time education
- 60 years of age and over

you will be asked by your pharmacist or dispensing doctor to provide proof of your entitlement to free prescriptions.
Your date of birth in many cases will already be printed on your prescription - if you are under 16 or 60 and over, this is all the proof you will need.

If you are 16, 17 or 18 and in full time education, you will also be asked for proof of your education status.

If you cannot provide  proof, you will still get your prescription free of charge, but your entitlement will be checked later by the NHS.

Patients claiming exemption from NHS prescription charges for other reasons have been asked for proof of entitlement since 1 April 1999.

Ask your pharmacist or dispensing doctor for advice. Ask for a free leaflet HC11 or download at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/80/85/04078085.pdf

or call Freephone 0800 91 77 711 for more information about free prescriptions.

People between 16 and 60 who claim free prescriptions will be asked to provide proof that they are entitled to do so.

Which Means that:

• You should make sure you have the proof you need before sending us your prescription. Details of who is eligible, what proof they need and where to get it are shown below.
• You should make sure you enclose the proof with your prescription.
• If we do not receive the required proof you will still get your prescription but you should be aware that your eligibility will be checked.

You are eligible if you are...	The proof you need to have	Where and how to get it
* under 16	any official document showing name and proof of age, including a NHS Medical Card.	a NHS Medical Card is issued when a child is first registered as a patient with a GP. If you need a new card, you should contact your local Primary Care Trust.
	note: from July 1999 details of date of birth will be on most prescription forms. In this case, no further proof is needed.
* between 16-18 and in full time education	a Child Benefit Order Book or...	the Child Benefit centre 0845 302 144
	if no longer eligible for Child Benefit, evidence of date of birth and educational status.	your school, college, university or local education authority can supply proof you are in qualifying full time education.   Once you reach 19 years of age,you will then need to apply for exemption under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Students in at University  or higher education are no longer classed as dependents and need to apply for prescription exemption on the grounds of low income using the HC1 form. If they qualify, they will be issued with the appropriate exemption certificate (HC2 or HC3, see below). The HC3 does not cover prescriptions charges however.
* 60 or over	any official document showing your name and date of birth, such as a retirement pension book, driving licence or a NHS Medical Card. *note: from April 2005 if details of date of birth are automatically printed on the front of the prescription, there is no need for a signature by the patient to claim exemption and no further proof is needed.	a NHS Medical Card is issued when you first register as a patient with a GP. If you need a new card, you should contact your local Health Authority.
pregnant, or you have had a baby in the last 12 months	a maternity exemption certificate or card (Medex).	your GP or midwife will give you a FW8 application form. You should send it to your local Health Authority.   If the woman loses the baby (still birth) after 24 weeks the Maternity Exemption Certificate (FP92) will remain valid until 12 months after the still birth. If the loss occurs before 24 weeks (miscarriage) then the Maternity Exemption Certificate is no longer valid. The certificate should be returned to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) with a cover note explaining the reason for returning the certificate and detailing the number of weeks at which the miscarriage occurred. The address is on the reverse of the card
entitled to medical exemptions	a medical exemption certificate or card (Medex).	your local GP, hospital or pharmacy will give you a FP92A application form. In Scotland EC92A;in Wales FP92W.The form tells you what to do. A certificate/card will be sent to you upon receipt of a properly completed application form.
a war or MoD pensioner	a War Pensions Exemption Certificate.	Write to:The Veterans Agency,Norcross,Blackpool,FY5 3WP
entitled to a prepayment certificate	a certificate of Prepayment of Charges (FP96).	England:Phone 0845 850 0030 (8am to 6pm) to pay by credit or debit card. If paying by cheque use an application form FP95 from your pharmacy or buy online www.ppa.org.uk
in the NHS Low Income Scheme	HC2 card. Note the HC3 does not provide entitlement to free prescriptions	obtainable via an HC1 claim form, available from a Social Security office or a hospital. Also, ask for booklet HC11. If you think you may qualify for help, send the form in the envelope which goes with the HC1 form. After a pilot in conjunction with RNIB ,completed forms just needing signatures can now be sent out to those in need. Phone 0845 850 1166 for more information.
receiving any of the following benefits
Income Support or your partner is getting this benefit Job Seeker's Allowance (income-based) or your partner is getting benfit getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or your partner is getting this benefit.	your Order Book or an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office An entitlement letter from your job centre     Your award notice from the Pension Service.	Claim at the Job centre. Incapacity or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are income related. If payments are made into your bank or building society, you can obtain proof in the form of an entitlement letter from your job centre Plus office. If you have lost or mislaid your pension service award notice ,contact the Pensions Service phone line on 0845 606 0265.
getting tax credits and meeting the qualifying conditions.Or your partner receives tax credits and meets the qualifying conditions	A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate or you can use your tax credit award notice.	if you are eligible for free prescriptions,your exemption certificate will be sent to you.If you haven't yet received your certificate,use your award notice.
Named on a valid  HC2 certificate	An NHS certificate HC2 for full help with health costs	Make a claim using form HC1,obtainable from your Jobcentre Plus office or calling 0845 850 1166 or 08701 555 455.you may also be able to get an HC1 from your local hospital, dentist,optician or doctor.
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance	Not applicable	(no entitlement to free prescriptions)
Incapacity Benefit	Not applicable	(no entitlement to free prescriptions)
Disability Living Allowance	Not applicable	(no entitlement to free prescriptions)
Contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance	Not applicable	(no entitlement to free prescriptions)
	:	Links NHSBSA Help with Health Costs Income Support: Jobseeker’s Allowance NHS Counter Fraud