The arrangements for the LIS are set out in regulations 'The NHS (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 1998'. A similar, but separate, set of regulations set out the arrangements for Scotland.

Since the introduction of NHS chargeable services, a safety net has existed for people on low income known as the 'National Health Service Low Income Scheme' (NHS LIS). Help from the scheme, usually called 'Health Benefit' is income related and based on an assessment of each person's ability to pay in the light of his/her financial circumstances at the time of the claim is made.

The NHS chargeable services covered by the low income scheme are :-

• full(but not part) remission of NHS prescription charges.
  
• full or part remission of charges for NHS dental treatment.
  
• full or part remission of charges for NHS wigs and fabric supports.
  
• free NHS sight tests or help with the cost of private sight tests
  
• voucher towards the cost of private glasses contact lenses
  
• full or part payment of necessary costs of travel to hospital for NHS treatment.

Entitlement to remission of charges, or payment of travel costs, is based solely on a person's financial circumstances and extends to the claimant's partner and dependant children (either partner may claim). The amount of help depends on the difference between a claimant's resources and requirements.

Exemption on the other hand applies to the individual, and entitlement is on a personal basis on the grounds of age (young or old) or health.

Help with prescriptions is also available through Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC's or 'Season Tickets') which may be purchased by anyone who is not exempt nor entitlement to remission.

People (and their dependants) receiving any of the following are automatically entitled to full help with health costs.

• Income Support IS, or
  
• Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance - JS(IB), or
  
• Family Credit - Fam C, or
  
• Disability Working Allowance -DWA

The HBD is also responsible, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health, for providing information to Members of Parliament who have made enquiries on behalf of their constituents on the operation of the NHS LIS. Additionally any claimant who has reason to question the outcome of their claim is entitled to have the claim re-assessed by the Independent Review Section within the HBD.

The HBD operates to very high performance targets and is committed to the provision of a quality service to all claimants under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Work to gain accreditation to ISO 9002 standards is now underway.