If you receive benefits, you may have heard that the government recently moved people from legacy benefits like tax credits and jobseeker’s allowance onto Universal Credit. This change means that some people in England who previously received free prescriptions may no longer be entitled to them automatically.
We want to make sure you have the right information so you are not caught out unexpectedly.
Who is still entitled to free prescriptions?
You are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you receive any of the following:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, where your household’s total take-home pay is £435 or less per month, or £935 or less if your payment includes an element for a child or you have limited capability for work
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
Free prescriptions are also available to people in certain situations, including those aged 60 or over, people who are pregnant or have recently given birth, and people with certain medical conditions. You can check whether any of these apply to you on the NHS website.
What if you are not sure whether you are entitled?
Do not worry if you are unsure. There are a couple of things you can do:
You can check your entitlement quickly and easily using the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) online checker.
If you are still not sure at the point of collecting your medication, you can ask the pharmacy for an FP57 receipt and refund form. This lets you pay for your prescription and then claim a refund later if you find out you were entitled to it for free. Ask pharmacy staff before you tick the box on your prescription form.
What if you are struggling with the cost of healthcare?
If prescription costs are a concern for you, you may be able to get support through the NHS Low Income Scheme. This scheme can help with the cost of prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, and more. You can find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme on the NHSBSA website.
We are here to help
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please speak to a member of our team when you next come in. We can help point you in the right direction and make sure you have the information you need.
You can also contact us on 0151 556 1335 or at wirral.services@cgl.org.uk.
Last Updated on 15 May 2026