Health costs

The help you can get to pay for wigs and fabric supports is different across the UK.

If you live in Scotland or Wales, you can get wigs and fabric supports free on the NHS. They are also provided free through the Health and Social Care services if you live in Northern Ireland. There are special arrangements for patients who are registered with GPs in Wales but have treatment in England.

In England, you can qualify for free synthetic (man-made) wigs or fabric supports on the NHS if you:

• are aged under 16
• are aged 16 to 18 and in full-time educationn
• are a hospital inpatient when the wig or fabric support is given to you
• have a valid war pension and need the items for your war injury
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs – this is called an HC2 certificate.

If you are named on an NHS certificate, called an HC3 certificate, you may get some help. We have more information about the NHS Low Income Scheme.

You also qualify if you or your partner get:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit (UC)  or tax credits – if you meet certain criteria.

You are also eligible if you are under the age of 20 and the dependent of someone getting one of the benefits listed above.

If you are entitled to a free wig or fabric support, you should tell the person who fits it. You need to show proof that you qualify. For example, this could be the letter showing which benefits you get.

If you do not qualify for free wigs or fabric supports, you can find a list of costs at NHS.UK.

You may be able to reclaim the VAT on these items. Contact the HMRC VAT helpline on 0300 200 3700. You can also visit GOV.UK.

Help with the cost of sight tests is different across the UK.

Eyesight tests are free for everyone in Scotland. You qualify for free NHS eyesight tests in England and Wales, and Health Service eyesight tests in Northern Ireland, if you meet 1 of the following criteria:

• You are aged under 16.
• You are aged under 19 and are in full-time education.
• You are aged 60 or over.
• You are registered blind or are partially sighted.
• You have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma.
• You are aged 40 or over and your parent, brother, sister or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma.
• You have been advised by an eye doctor that you are at risk of glaucoma.
• You have a valid war pension and have eyesight issues due to your war injury.
• You are a prisoner on leave from prison.
• You need complex or powerful lenses.
• You get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.
• You get tax credits and meet certain criteria.
• You get Universal Credit (UC) and meet certain criteria.
• You have a low income and are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (an HC2 certificate).

If you are named on a valid NHS certificate for partial help with health costs called an HC3 certificate, you may get a reduced cost eyesight test.

You can ask about a home visit if you need help getting to your appointment because of your illness.

If you qualify for vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you meet 1 of the following criteria:

• You are aged under 16.
• You are aged under 19 and are in full-time education.
• you are a prisoner on leave from prison
• You need complex or powerful lenses.
• You get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related ESA or Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.
• you get tax credits and meet certain criteria
• You get UC and meet certain criteria
• you have a low income and are named on a valid NHS HC2 certificate for full help with health costs.

You may get a voucher if you are named on a valid NHS HC3 certificate for partial help with health costs.

The vouchers can be used with any optician. You must show proof that you qualify. For example, you could bring any letters showing which benefits you get.

You may need special equipment or aids to help you manage at home. For example, you may need a raised toilet seat or handrails. If your doctor or nurse agrees you need equipment, they can arrange this.

Your doctor or nurse may refer you to a social worker. You can also contact your local social services or social work department directly. They can arrange for a social worker or occupational therapist to assess your needs. They may be able to give you what you need for free.

You can also get general advice and information about all types of equipment from the Living Made Easy.

If you have a long-term illness or are registered disabled, you do not have to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on some products. These are products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. For example, you may not have to pay VAT on items that help you move around.

VAT-exempt goods and services include:

• adjustable beds
• stair lifts
• wheelchairs
• medical appliances to help with severe injuries
• alarms
• Braille paper or low-vision aids – but not glasses or contact lenses
  cars
• building work such as widening doors or installing ramps, lifts or toilets.

For more information, visit GOV.UK or call 0300 200 3700.

If you pay for your own nursing home charges, you should check if you can get financial help.

For example, you may be able to get NHS continuing healthcare. Continuing healthcare offers free care for people who need a lot of ongoing, complex care. This care is paid for by the NHS. Ask a health or social care professional how you can apply for this. Before choosing a care home, you may want to find out more about continuing healthcare.

For more information, speak to your healthcare professional or call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.