How old do you have to be to get free prescriptions in the UK?

Question

Is it a different age for men and women?

Answer 1

Because of equality it is 60 for men and women.

Answer 2

Who is entitled to get free prescriptions?

If you are under 16 (under 25 in Wales): OR
If you are under 19 and in full-time education: OR
If you are aged 60 or over: OR
If you (or your partner) gets one of the following:
Income Support.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
If you have an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
Some war pensioners - if treatment is connected with the pensionable disability.
If you have a prescription exemption certificate (see below).
People on a low income who have a certificate HC2 (see below).
If you are entitled to free prescriptions, complete the declaration on the back of the prescription and sign it. You may be asked for proof that you are exempt.

Who can get a prescription exemption certificate?

If you are pregnant or have had a child in the past year
Get form FW8 from your doctor, midwife or health visitor to apply for a Maternity Exemption Certificate. The form is sent off to the Prescription Pricing Authority who will issue the certificate.

People who have certain medical conditions
Although there are many conditions requiring permanent medication, only the following qualify for an exemption certificate:

A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
Forms of hypoadrenalism, such as Addison's Disease.
Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
Hypoparathyroidism.
Myasthenia gravis.
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where supplemental thyroid hormone is necessary.
Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
If, because of a permanent disability, you cannot leave the house without help.

Answer 3

Up to the age of 25 years for men and women .
After the age of 65
Income support, family tax credit etc
women can get them free throughout pregnancy and one year after the baby is born.

The details are on the back of the prescription slip..have a look when u get one

Answer 4

Up to the age of 16 years for men and women - obviously you can get them free after the age of 65 as well or women can get them when pregnant etc.

Answer 5

No, I take it you have filled out an HC1 form to apply for an HC2 certificate which will tell you what you are allowed based on your income. Unless you are working as well as in education you will definately be entitled to free prescriptions. You may have to pay something towards dental care or glasses but again, this depends on your income. The certificate will detail what you are allowed when you get it.

Answer 6

under 16 or over 60. Its the same for both men and women.
Its not true what people are saying about it being up to 25, its only up to 18 if you are in full time education, you need an HC2 certificate after 18 to still claim free prescriptions if you are in full time education, its not an automatic entitlement.

Answer 7

everyone is entitled to free prescriptions up until the age of 16, then you are still entitled until the age of 25 as long as you are in full time education. Then at any age if you are on income support or job seekers allowance, disability living allowance or you have a terminal illness such as serable palsy, you are then entitled again when you are considered a pensioner and are recieving, government pension allowance.

Answer 8

under 16 or over 65

Answer 9

I know u can have free prescriptions up to the age of 25 i think that is for men and women.Dont know what age for old age pentioners i think thats 65 and over.

Answer 10

i agree with pink, school age until your 25 is free, regardless of your gender, and 60 and over cause my mum didnt pay for hers after she was 60 she gets them free, although there a number of benefits like family tax credit and some forms of benefits which entitle people to free prescriptions, regardless of their age x