The full picture
The NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) issues a certificate that gives you free or reduced-cost NHS health-cost help when your income is too low to comfortably pay full charges. It's a fall-back for people who don't already get free NHS care via age, condition, or means-tested benefits.
Three certificates: - **HC2** = full help (free prescriptions, dental, sight tests, glasses vouchers, travel to hospital) - **HC3** = partial help (you pay a fixed contribution, NHS pays the rest) - HC1 is the application form (no certificate value itself)
When LIS matters most: - England (where prescription charges are still in place — £9.90 from April 2026) - People over 60 who don't yet have Pension Credit - People between 16 and 60 who don't qualify automatically via UC, Income Support or other passport benefits - People in care homes who pay for their own prescriptions
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland NHS prescriptions are free for everyone, so the scheme matters mainly for dental, sight tests, glasses, wigs/fabric supports, and Healthcare Travel Costs.
The certificate lasts up to 12 months. Renewal requires a new HC1 form. Many people apply once in retirement to bridge the gap before Pension Credit, then move onto automatic entitlements.