Student Specific Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are students automatically entitled to free NHS treatment?

A. Students in full-time education who are under the age of 19 are automatically entitled to full help with health costs (except hospital travel, in which case they can apply to the Low Income Scheme).

Students aged 19 and over entering higher education generally have access to their own resources and are no longer classed as dependant children. They can apply to the Low Income Scheme the same as all other adults to see if the qualify for help. To request a claim form click here.

Q. Do I only have to complete the student section of the HC1?

A. All parts of the form must be completed. Help is income related and Patient Services needs to know about all aspects of your circumstances to ensure you get all of the help you are entitled to.

Q. Do I have to send evidence of my student income with my claim?

A. Yes, we need to see evidence of all grants, bursaries and awards you receive. Normally this will consist of an award notice showing how much money you get.

If you applied for a student loan, we need to see a copy of the financial assessment that was carried out, whether or not a loan was actually awarded.

Q. Does it make a difference when I make my claim?

A. Assessments are based on a "snapshot" of a person's circumstances at the date of claim. If your claim is made during the summer vacation, the assessment will reflect your circumstances at that time. For example, if you are working, your earnings will be taken into account.

Some students find they qualify for more help if they claim during the academic year, as the assessment takes account of any liability they have for housing costs. However, the outcome of any claim will depend on your circumstances at the time it is received. The onus is therefore on the individual to decide when to claim.

Q. I have not applied for a student loan. Why is it included in the assessment?

A. It is a matter of choice whether you apply for a student loan. However the Government's policy is that as loans are the primary source of public support for students, they should be taken up before further help from public funds can be considered. This policy applies equally for all income-related benefits, for example, Income Support. This means that student loans are regarded as income for the purposes of calculating help with health costs. A standard deduction is made from the student loan for books and travel costs.

Q. I have only applied for the non-income assessed element of the student loan. Why is the income assessed element also included in the assessment?

A. The loan consists of a basic element and an income-assessed element. The loan consists of a basic element 75% (that does not depend on income) and an income assessed element 25%. Where parental income has not been assessed by the Local Education Authority (LEA) to determine any contribution towards the income assessed element of the loan, the maximum loan a student would be able to acquire in respect of that year is taken into account. It is recognised that some students' parents may have income above the threshold for a student to qualify for the income assessed element of the loan, however, without evidence that the full loan would not be available (via LEA assessment), the maximum loan is taken into account.

Q. When I made my claim I was working. I no longer have a job. What should I do?

A. Each claim is a "snapshot" of a person's financial circumstances on the date we receive the claim. Claims are assessed on the basis of the information given on the HC1 application form at the time. If your circumstances have changed you can make a new claim. However, the outcome will depend on your circumstances on the date we receive your claim.