NHS Low Income Scheme checker
This is a guide to whether weekly income and savings look likely to qualify for full help (HC2) or partial help (HC3) through the NHS Low Income Scheme, run by the NHS Business Services Authority. Savings above £16,000 usually rule out help; only the Authority can decide an actual claim, made on form HC1.
What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?
The Low Income Scheme is a means test run by the NHS Business Services Authority. On an application made on form HC1 the Authority works out weekly requirements from standard allowances for the applicant, a partner, any children, rent or mortgage interest and council tax, then compares that with weekly income. Where income is at or below those requirements an HC2 certificate for full help is likely. Where it is a little above, an HC3 for partial help is possible, which caps what is paid rather than removing charges. There is also a capital test: savings above the limit, £16,000, or £24,000 in a care home, usually rule out help regardless of income.
This tool mirrors that logic in simplified form. It takes a weekly income figure, a rough figure for essential costs as a stand-in for the official requirements, and a savings figure. It then indicates whether full help, partial help or no help looks likely, and checks the capital figure against the limit. Because the actual assessment uses precise allowances that this checker cannot know, the NHS Business Services Authority decides the real outcome, and the result here is guidance on whether an application looks worthwhile, not the answer itself.
What would qualify for partial help under the scheme?
Take an example of £260 a week coming in, essential costs of about £250, and £3,000 in savings. That income sits only slightly above the needs figure and the capital is well under the limit, so the guide indicates partial help through an HC3 as the likely outcome. Even partial help caps prescription, dental and eye-care costs, and a small change in rent or income could shift an assessment towards full help, though only the NHS Business Services Authority can confirm the outcome on an actual claim.
Common questions
What is the NHS Low Income Scheme?
It is a scheme for people on a low income who do not get a qualifying benefit. You apply on form HC1, and the NHS compares your income to your assessed needs. A successful claim gives either an HC2 certificate for full help or an HC3 certificate for partial help with NHS costs.
What is the difference between HC2 and HC3?
An HC2 certificate gives full help, so NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and some travel costs are free. An HC3 gives partial help: it shows the most you have to pay towards each item, so you may still pay something but never more than the amount stated.
How much savings can I have?
Savings and other capital above £16,000 usually rule out help, whatever your income. The limit is higher, £24,000, if you live permanently in a care home. Capital below the limit does not stop a claim.
Does this tool decide my claim?
No. This is a guide to whether it is worth applying, not the assessment. The NHS Business Services Authority works out your exact requirements using set allowances for you, a partner, children, rent and council tax, then compares them with your income. Only they can decide the outcome.
What else does the scheme help with?
As well as prescriptions and dental charges, an HC2 or HC3 can help with NHS sight tests and glasses, wigs and fabric supports, and necessary travel to hospital for NHS treatment. It is worth claiming even if you mainly want help with one of these.
What would qualify for partial help under the scheme?
Partial help through an HC3 is more likely where weekly income sits a little above assessed needs, roughly up to half of those needs higher, rather than well above them. Someone with income only slightly over their requirements, and capital below the limit, is a typical case. The NHS Business Services Authority applies exact allowances on form HC1, so this figure is only a guide to whether applying looks worthwhile.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.