It is the fares and mileage of getting to the appointment. It is easy to miss because nobody tells you at the hospital.
Quick facts
- Covers
- Travel to referred NHS treatment
- You need
- Certain benefits or Low Income Scheme
- Children
- Covered
- Escorts
- If medically necessary
- Not covered
- Visiting someone in hospital
Who can claim
To qualify for help with travel costs under the HTCS, you must meet 3 criteria:
- At the time of your appointment, you or your partner (including civil partners) must receive one of the qualifying benefits or allowances listed on this page, or meet the eligibility criteria for the NHS Low Income Scheme.
- You must have a referral for specialist care from a healthcare professional to a specialist or a hospital for further NHS treatment or tests (often referred to as secondary care).
- Your appointment must be on a separate visit to when the referral was made.
Children and escorts
You can claim travel costs for your children if you're eligible for any of the benefits described under condition 1 and your child has been referred for treatment as outlined in condition 2 and condition 3 above.
You can claim travel costs for an escort if your healthcare professional says it's medically necessary for someone to travel with you.
What is not covered
You cannot claim help with travel costs if you're visiting someone in hospital.
Routine visits to a GP, dentist or other primary care service are excluded, as are vaccinations and screening.
If you are not on benefits
You can still qualify through the NHS Low Income Scheme, which looks at your income, rent and council tax.
Common questions
Can I claim travel costs to hospital?
Yes, if you are referred for specialist NHS treatment or tests and you get a qualifying benefit or qualify for the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Can I claim for my child's appointments?
Yes, if you are eligible and your child has been referred.
Can I claim for visiting someone in hospital?
No.
Who do I ask?
The NHS Business Services Authority, or the hospital's cashier office.