Guides › Health and Private Care › NHS Low Income Scheme: HC2 and HC3 Certificates
NHS Low Income Scheme: HC2 and HC3 Certificates
The NHS Low Income Scheme helps with health costs if your income is low and your savings are under £16,000 (£23,250 if you live permanently in a care home). An HC2 certificate gives full help and an HC3 gives partial help with prescriptions, dental treatment, eye care, travel to hospital, and wigs and fabric supports. Apply online or with form HC1. Certificates last 6 months to 5 years.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Low Income Scheme
Who Can Apply
Your savings, investments or property (not your home) must be under £16,000, or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home. Help also covers your partner and dependent young people. source
HC2 and HC3
HC2 gives full help if your income is at or only slightly above your requirements. HC3 gives partial help and shows how much you must pay towards costs. source
What It Covers and How to Apply
Prescriptions, dental care, eye care, healthcare travel costs, and wigs and fabric supports. Apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority or post form HC1. Certificates usually last between 6 months and 5 years. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 6 months to 5 yearsCertificate lastsDepending on your circumstances
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check your savings are under the limit.
Step 2 of 5
Gather income and outgoings details.
Step 3 of 5
Apply online or with form HC1.
Step 4 of 5
Show your certificate when you get treatment.
Step 5 of 5
Reapply before it expires.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
NHS Business Services Authority
Runs exemption certificates, the Low Income Scheme and penalty charges.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
If you are turned down for HC2, you may still get HC3 partial help.
These rules are for England. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and help with other costs differs there.
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If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis Checked 16 October 2026