Raising a Family in the UK: Top 10 Health Benefits for Low-Income Households

Raising a family in the UK can be both rewarding and sometimes even get financially demanding. With rising living costs, medical expenses can quickly add up, especially for low-income households.

Fortunately, the UK government offers a range of health-related benefits that can help ease the financial burden on families.

Free prescriptions, dental care, mental health services, and other essential assistance are provided by these programs.

In this guide, we will break down 10 key health benefits for low-income families in the UK.

We will cover what each benefit includes, who is eligible, how to apply and even provide real-life examples to show the impact.

1. NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

What It Covers:

• Free NHS prescriptions are available in England only; prescriptions are already free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Free or reduced-cost dental treatment and eye exam
• Refunds for hospital travel expenses incurred by you or your child

Eligibility: To qualify, your household must meet the income criteria and have savings under:

• £16,000 if you live alone
• £23,250 if you live in a care home or with a partner

Income is assessed based on your circumstances, including rent, council tax, and childcare costs.

It’s designed for people who don’t already qualify for automatic help through benefits like Income Support or Universal Credit.

Real-Life Example: The Patel family from Birmingham saved over £300 per year on prescription charges, dental check-ups and travel costs related to hospital appointments for their asthmatic daughter.

Application Procedure: Fill out the HC1 form, which is accessible online or at your local pharmacy, hospital, or Jobcentre. You will be issued either an HC2 certificate (full assistance) or an HC3 certificate (partial help), which is valid for a period of up to 12 months.

2. Healthy Start Vouchers

What It Offers:

• Free Healthy Start vitamins for pregnant women and children under 4
• Weekly vouchers worth:
  • £4.25 for children aged 1–4
  • £8.50 for babies under 1

You can use these vouchers to buy cow’s milk, fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables and infant formula from participating retailers.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant or have a child under 4
• Receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit (if your family earns £408 or less per month), Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance

Pro Tip: Major retailers such Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, accept the vouchers, therefore making it simple to include healthy foods into your grocery buying.

How to Apply: Apply online via the Healthy Start website or request a paper form.

3. Free School Meals

Key Advantages: 

• Daily, nutritious, heated meals are provided at school.
• Enhanced academic performance and concentration in children
• The Pupil Premium may provide additional funding to schools.

Eligibility:

• Recipients of Universal Credit are those whose annual household income is below £7,400 (after taxes and benefits).
•  Additional benefits that qualify include Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Income Support.

Real-World Statistics: As of 2024, over 1.9 million children in the United Kingdom are eligible for free school meals (Gov.uk). This program assists families in saving money and guarantees that their children receive a nutritious diet.

How to Apply: Visit your local council’s website and complete the application form online. You’ll need your National Insurance number and details about your benefits.

4. Child Tax Credit & Universal Credit (Health Add-Ons)

Extra Support Available:

• Disabled Child Premium: Up to £4,000 per year if your child receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Limited Capability for Work Element: Up to £354/month if you or your partner can’t work due to illness

These add-ons are designed to provide extra financial help for households dealing with health-related challenges.

Who Can Claim:

• Parents of disabled children who are receiving DLA or PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• Adults who are unable to labor due to long-term illnesses

How to Apply: Check what you are entitled to with the GOV.UK Benefits Calculator then apply using your Universal Credit or Tax Credit account.

Also Read: Top 5 Benefits for Low-Income Households in the UK

5. Best Start Grants (Scotland Only)

What’s Included:

• Pregnancy and Baby Payment: One-off £767.50 for your first child, £383.75 for later children
• Early Learning Payment: £319.80 when your child is aged 2–3.5
• School Age Payment: £319.80 for children about to start school

These grants help Scottish families cover the costs of having children—everything from buying a crib to paying for school uniforms.

Eligibility:

• Has to be getting something like Child Tax Credit, Income Support, or Universal Credit.
• Have to live in Scotland.

How to Apply: Apply online through mygov.scot, or call Social Security Scotland at 0800 182 2222.

6. Free NHS Dental Care for Children

Coverage Includes:

• Check-ups, fillings, fluoride treatments
• Orthodontics (braces) if medically necessary
• Emergency dental care

Eligibility: All children under 18 in the UK—and up to 19 if still in full-time education—are entitled to free NHS dental care.

There is no need for application: Just register using an NHS dentist and let them know the age of your child.  Your area may affect waiting times.

Tip: Search “NHS dentist near me” online to identify a practice open to new clients.

7. Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPC)

Why It Helps: 

If you need more than one prescription per month, a PPC can significantly reduce your costs.

Options: 

• Includes all prescriptions for 3 months at £32.05

• Unlimited prescriptions for the year are included in the 12-month PPC at £114.50, which can be paid in ten monthly installments.

Perfect for: Families needing continuous medication and currently managing chronic illnesses include diabetes, asthma, or eczema.

How to Apply: Apply online at the NHS Business Services Authority website.

8. Housing Benefit for Health-Related Needs

What’s Covered:

• Support with rent if your home needs medical adaptations (e.g., stair lifts, wheelchair access)
• Help with higher housing costs if a disabled child needs their own room

Who Can Apply:

• Families with a disabled member requiring specialized housing
• Low-income households receiving benefits like Universal Credit

How to Apply: Apply through your local council or Universal Credit portal. You may be asked for medical evidence and housing documentation.

Tip: Ask your council about a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if your Housing Benefit doesn’t cover all your rent.

9. Carer’s Allowance

What It Offers:

• £83.30 per week – tax-free
• Support for parents caring for children with long-term disabilities

Eligibility:

• Providing 35+ hours per week of unpaid care
• Child receives DLA or PIP
• You earn less than  £196/week (after tax and expenses)

How to Apply: Apply via the GOV.UK Carer’s Allowance portal. You’ll need your National Insurance number and details of the child’s disability benefit.

10. Local Welfare Assistance Schemes

What They Provide: 

• Supermarket vouchers or emergency food supplies
• Assist with the payment of gas and electric bills during medical emergencies.
• Crisis grants are available to cover urgent health-related expenses, such as the replacement of a malfunctioning refrigerator that is used to store medication.

How It Operates: Each local authority administers its own scheme, which includes distinct eligibility criteria and support options.

Where to Start: Use Turn2Us Local Support Finder to locate your council’s scheme and apply directly.

Also Read: Claiming Child Benefit in the UK 

Conclusion: Claim What Your Family Deserves

Medical expenses shouldn’t prevent your family from getting the care you need. These health benefits for low-income households in the UK allow you to access essential health services at a minimal to no cost.

From vouchers for Healthy Start food to reimbursements for travel costs and free dental care, these benefits are intended to alleviate financial burden and promote overall health.

Act Now: 

• Check your eligibility using the GOV.UK Benefits Calculator
• Speak to a trained advisor at Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848
• Share this guide with another parent who could use the support

Your family’s health is a priority. Make the most of the help that’s already available.