Four DWP benefits now entitled to free NHS prescriptions

Many people who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) can claim free NHS prescriptions to cut medical costs.

All the benefits that give you access to free NHS prescriptions – and how to claim them - have been revealed. Many people who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) can claim free NHS prescriptions to cut medical costs.

You will be entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner receive Income support, Income-based jobseeker's allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance or Pension Credit (guarantee element).

You will also be entitled to free prescriptions if you receive Universal Credit and and your earnings for the most recent assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if your claim included an element for a child, or if you have 'limited capability for work'.

READ MORE TMZ issues major update after publishing Liam Payne dead body photos

You could also be entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you receive tax credits and your annual family income is £15,276 or less. To claim you must be in receipt of Child tax credit, working tax credit and child tax credit paid together or working tax credit including a disability element.

The current prescription charge is £9.90 per item. Information: Prescription charges are for each item not each prescription. For example, if your prescription has 3 medicines on it you will have to pay the prescription charge 3 times.

Some items are always free, including contraception and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients. If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

Most prescriptions are valid for 6 months from the date they are signed by a doctor or nurse. Prescriptions for most controlled drugs, such as morphine, are valid for 28 days. If you know you'll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions, it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC).

A PPC covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. A PPC does not cover the cost of other health items, such as wigs and fabric supports.