Tax Credits – Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Am I entitled to help with health costs because of my Tax Credit?
A. Click here to see if you qualify for help with health costs via Tax Credits.

Q. I have been awarded a Tax Credit and have checked that I qualify for help with health costs. What happens next?
A. If you are entitled to help with health costs because of your Tax Credit, HM Revenue and Customs will send your details to the NHS Business Services Authority, and we will automatically send you a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.

Q. What does the certificate cover?
A. The certificate covers:

• NHS prescriptions
  
• NHS dental treatment
  
• NHS wigs and fabric supports
  
• Sight tests
  
• Vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
  
• The reasonable cost of travel to hospital for NHS treatment

Q. When will I receive my certificate?
A. Due to the large number to be issued, it could take up to 8 weeks before you receive your certificate.

Q. Once I’ve received my certificate, how do I use it?
A. Once you have received your certificate, all you need to do claim help with health costs is show it to your NHS practitioner prior to receiving treatment. The cost of your treatment should then be reduced automatically.

Q. I am waiting for my NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate to arrive. How do I prove that I am entitled to help with health costs in the meantime?
A. Provided you meet the qualifying conditions for help with health costs via Tax Credits (click here to find out if you qualify), you can show the NHS practitioner your Tax Credit award as proof that you are exempt from the charge. If you would rather not show your award, you can still sign the treatment form to say that you are exempt. The NHS practitioner will then mark the treatment form to say no evidence of entitlement has been seen and your entitlement may be checked later.

Q. Can I claim a refund of NHS charges I have already paid?
A. You can claim a refund if on the relevant date you were entitled to a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. However, you only have three months in which to make your claim.

Q. What if I claim free NHS treatment and I am not entitled?
A. You could be liable to pay a penalty charge.

Q. I had a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate, but I’ve now lost it. Can I have another one?
A. Please ring us on 0845 609 9299 and we can arrange for you to be sent a replacement certificate.

Q. What happens to my details once HM Revenue and Customs have supplied them to the NHS Business Services Authority?
A. The NHSBSA uses the information it receives from HM Revenue and Customs to issue NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificates to claimants who satisfy the qualifying conditions for help with health costs. The information will also be used to check if entitlement to free NHS treatment has been claimed correctly, and to make sure NHS practitioners have been paid correctly for services they have provided to the NHS. The information will be held securely, and will not be used for any other purpose.

Q. Am I entitled to anything other than help with health costs because of my Tax Credit?
A. The NHS Business Services Authority can advise you with regard to help with health costs only. For information on any other help you may be entitled to, you will have to contact HM Revenue and Customs.

Q. How was my Tax Credit award calculated?
A. Tax Credit awards are calculated by HM Revenue and Customs. You will need to contact them to enquire how your claim has been calculated.

Q. What if I want to appeal against my Tax Credit award decision?
A. You must contact HM Revenue and Customs. In the meantime, if you are not entitled to a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate you will have to pay for your NHS charges until your appeal has been decided. Make sure you obtain NHS receipts for any treatment you pay for. If you become exempt from paying NHS charges after appeal, you can claim a refund of any NHS charges paid. Normally, a refund must be claimed within three months of the relevant date, but if the appeal takes longer the refund can still be considered provided it is claimed as soon as the outcome of the appeal is known.

Q. What happens if my circumstances change?
A. You must inform HM Revenue and Customs of your new circumstances within three months, as they may need to adjust your Tax Credit award.