The government confirmed this week there are currently no plans to increase the price of prescriptions next month.
The price of prescriptions usually rises in April, with costs increasing by 20p to £9.35 in 2021. Health minister Edward Argar eased fears costs will increase again next month as he announced there are currently no plans to make any changes.
The confirmation comes amid proposals the government is considering raising the age of those who qualify for free prescriptions from 60 to 66. Free prescriptions should currently be available to those who are 60 or over, as well as those under the age of 16, or aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education.
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People who are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months should also get medicine free of charge. Certain individuals with specific medical conditions or in receipt of some DWP state benefits may be entitled to free prescriptions - as Birmingham Live reports.
We have rounded up the full list of DWP benefits and medical conditions that qualify you for free prescriptions below.
Which DWP benefits qualify for free prescriptions?
In terms of those on DWP support who are eligible, you are entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive any of the following payments:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit element)
- Universal Credit (and meet the criteria detailed below)
Those who are under the age of 20 and are the dependant of someone receiving one of those benefits should also be exempt from paying for medication. And in the case of Universal Credit, it's not a widespread exemption available to all on the benefit but instead has specific criteria attached.
In order to get free prescriptions, Universal Credit claimants must either have had zero earnings or net earnings of £435 or less in their last assessment period. Alternatively, people on UC can get prescriptions free of charge if they receive a payment that includes the child addition, or if they (or their partner) have limited capability for work (LCW) , limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA), and either had no earnings or net earnings of £935 or less in the last Universal Credit assessment period.
The NHS has cautioned that not all prescription forms have a tick box for Universal Credit exemption. If that's the case, you are advised to tick the box for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance instead. If your Universal Credit claim is still being decided, then you may have to pay the charges and apply for a refund. Get a receipt and refund form (FP57) at the time you pay, as you will not be able to get one later.
Which medical conditions qualify for free prescriptions?
The above list of benefits that qualify for free prescriptions does not include Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a benefit for those with a long-term health problem or disability. However, some medical problems that would enable a person to receive PIP could also mean they could get free prescriptions.
Those with certain conditions - regardless of whether they receive PIP - can get free NHS prescriptions if they have been given a medical exemption certificate (MedEx). These look like a credit or debit card. Certificates last for five years and can be issued if you have any of these conditions:
- cancer, including the effects of cancer or the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
- a permanent fistula (for example, a laryngostomy, colostomy, ileostomy or some renal dialysis fistulas) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
- a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
- diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
- diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
- hypoparathyroidism
- myasthenia gravis
- myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
- epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- a continuing physical disability that means you cannot go out without the help of another person (temporary disabilities do not count, even if they last for several months)
Ask your doctor for an FP92A form to apply for a medical exemption certificate. The form has to be sent off to the NHS Business Services Authority.
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