Money for health

Be healthy, save money

Free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are available to all women – whatever their income or circumstances – while they’re pregnant and for the first year after their baby’s born. You can read more about this on page 7 of this guide. If you are on a low income, there are other health benefits for you and your baby too, as follows.

Help with hospital fares

If your family receives Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support you can claim help with paying for travel costs to and from hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a consultant. Some families who receive Tax Credits can also get this kind of financial help. If you are entitled, you should automatically be sent an NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. This will cover normal public transport fares, estimated petrol costs or taxi fares (if there is no public transport alternative).

You simply claim at the hospital each time you have to visit, by showing your Exemption Certificate or proof that you are entitled to the benefit, and the money will be refunded when you fill out Form HC5 (T) (available from the hospital or your local Jobcentre Plus). Claims can only be backdated for three months. If you cannot afford to pay your fare to the hospital, you should make a claim in advance.

If your family is on a low income you may also qualify for help with travel costs to and from the hospital, even if you’re not claiming Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support. To claim, simply fill in Form HC1 which you can pick up at your doctor’s surgery, hospital or local Jobcentre Plus office. Depending on how low your income is, you will be sent either certificate HC2, if you qualify for completely free services or certificate HC3 if you qualify for just some help. You should show the certificate each time you visit the hospital or, if you’d prefer, you can claim within three months by filling in Form HC5, which you can pick up at the hospital or your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables

Mums-to-be who are receiving Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) with a yearly family income of below £15,575 (for 2008/09) can claim free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, as they will be entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers while they’re pregnant. Until the age of four, children are also eligible. Mums-to-be under 18 receive one voucher a week irrespective of family income. Free formula milk is available for babies under six months old.

• Healthy Start Vouchers are worth £3.00.
• While you’re pregnant you’ll be entitled to one voucher a week.
• Once your child is born, you will receive two vouchers a week.
• For each child aged over one and under four, you will receive one weekly voucher.