Help with health costs
If you're aged 60 or over, you could be entitled to help with various health-related costs.
If you're aged 60 or over, you can get free NHS prescriptions and eye tests.
If you're also getting the guarantee element of Pension Credit, you and your partner may be able to get free NHS dental treatment, free wigs and free fabric supports. You may also get vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses and refunds of necessary travel costs to hospitals for NHS treatment (including check-ups). If your partner is under 60 they may also get free NHS prescriptions and eye tests.
If you have savings of £12,000 or less, you can claim through the NHS Low Income Scheme for help with various health-related costs. (If you live permanently in a care home, you can claim help through the scheme, even if you have savings of up to £20,000 (2004/05).
You can find more details about getting help with health costs, and the NHS Low Income Scheme, in the leaflet HSC1 Are you entitled to help with health costs? You can get this booklet from community pharmacies, GP practices, Citizen Advice Scotland offices, Jobcentre Plus offices and local authority’s one-stop shops.
You can also write to: Scottish Government Health Department, St Andrew's House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. Or phone the Scottish Government Health Department on 0845 7 741 741. The line is open 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.00am to 5.00pm on Fridays.
Find more information about NHS charges on the Department of Health website
Did you know...?
People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence?
See our Travel and leisure section for more information.