Care and support

Fares to and from hospital

Can I get help with fares to and from hospital?

If you are on income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or the guarantee credit part of pension credit you can get help towards the costs of fares to and from hospital, including fares if you go home for periods of leave. The hospital should refund your fares if you give them proof of your benefit entitlement e.g. a letter showing how your benefit is worked out.

Some people getting child tax credit or working tax credit can get help with fares to hospital - for more information click on health benefits.

You may also get help with fares to hospital if you have a low income. If you have already paid the fare, ask your local jobcentre plus office for form HC5 to claim a refund. To claim for future fares ask for form HC1 from your local jobcentre plus office. If your income is low enough you will get a certificate, lasting up to 6 months, saying that you can get help with fares (it may also cover prescriptions, dental treatment, and help with glasses). The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) manage health benefits and you can also get forms from them - telephone 0845 8501166.

Show the certificate to the hospital fares officer whenever you claim for fares to and from hospital, whether as an in-patient, or an out-patient. You can claim for taxi fares if you cannot use public transport or the cost of an escorts fares if you cannot travel alone.

Note that under the current hospital travel costs scheme, the NHS care you will be getting on your visit must be arranged with or by a consultant. The Government is proposing changes to the regulations from October 2007 to include NHS care referred by other health professionals. The changes will also make it clearer for both claimants and health professionals on how and where to claim and will raise awareness of the scheme.

Can my visitors get help with fares?

If you have visitors who are on income support, pension credit or income-based jobseekers allowance, they can apply for a community care grant to cover the cost of their fares to visit you in hospital. They should apply on form SF 300 available from the jobcentre plus office. Telephone the contact centre for a form on 0845 600 0743.