Free Prescriptions and NHS Treatment

Silver925

Hello,

I just want to know when I migrate to UC from ESA will I still get free Prescriptions and other NHS treatment free? My IR ESA has an EDP and the other half is CB ESA. If I get the CB ESA as well as UC do I still qualify for free Prescriptions and other free NHS treatment like Dentist and Opticians or is that just for people with just UC only. I hope this dosn't sound silly but I am just anxious about it all at the moment. I have read on this forum that some get the CB element of their legacy benefit as well called NS ESA.

Kimi87

If you get Universal Credit and meet the conditions, you get free prescriptions regardless of whether you also get NS ESA.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-help/getting-benefits/hwhc-universal-credit

It's exactly the same as your IR ESA qualifying you even though you also get CB ESA.

Silver925

Thank You again. I just get so anxious and keep thinking of new questions. I will settle once I have made a claim.

Silver925

I have just looked on line on Google and it says if you claim NS ESA with UC if dosnt make you entitled to free NHS treatment unless I haven't understood. I googled it and AI said this.

Kimi87

Because you get UC any other benefits are irrelevant when looking at eligibility for free health costs.

As per the link:

Not everyone getting Universal Credit is entitled to help with their health costs.

You are only entitled if the total take-home pay for your household in your last assessment period was:

£435 or less

£935 or less if your Universal Credit includes a payment for a child, or you have a limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work related activity

If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the take-home pay limit applies to the joint income of you and your partner.