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Who can claim?

You're automatically entitled to claim Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you (or those you depend on) get at least one of the following:

You also qualify if your income is £15,276 or less and you also get one of the following:

If an adult or your dependent child has to travel to your treatment with you for medical reasons, you can claim their travel costs too.

If you're on a low income but don't get any of these benefits or allowances, you may still claim travel costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (go to section 'NHS Low Income Scheme').

• Income Support

• Employment and Support Allowance - introduction

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Pension Credit

How much do you get?

If you're on entitled benefits or allowances you get back the full travel costs by using the cheapest form of public transport available, including any concessions or promotions.

If you use a private car you can claim for petrol instead (and car parking charges where unavoidable); the hospital should tell you the mileage rate for petrol costs for private transport.

If public transport is unavailable or impractical (perhaps you can't get to your appointment on time or your mobility is restricted), you'll need to contact the hospital well before your appointment. They will need to check your new travel arrangements are allowed.

If you're on the NHS low income scheme you may get back all or some of your travel costs depending on which certificate you've been given.

How to claim

You can claim at the NHS hospital or clinic at the time of your appointment. You'll be paid back immediately in cash, when you show any of the following:

• More about the NHS Low Income Scheme Opens new window

• Contact Jobcentre Plus

The NHS Low Income Scheme

To apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme, you'll need to fill in form HC1.

You can order form HC1 online, by phone; call the NHS Patient Services helpline 0845 850 1166 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday - calls are charged at the local rate) or get it from:

• Contact Jobcentre Plus

• Order form HC1 Opens new window

• The NHS Low Income Scheme Opens new window

What else you need to know

Backdated claims

You can claim help with travel costs up to three months after your appointment, as long as you can prove you were eligible to claim at the time. To do this, you'll need to fill in a refund claim form (HC5), which you can get from:

• Contact Jobcentre Plus

More useful links

• Health costs - financial help

• Ill or injured benefits information

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts