Millions of people across the country could be eligible to get free prescriptions without realising.

With the cost of living crisis continuing to squeeze out people's wallets, those who need frequent prescriptions could save a small fortune. Typically, someone would need to pay for their prescriptions, but they could get them completely for free, but only under certain criteria.

If you do have to pay for a prescription the current charge is £9.65 per item. This means if you have to get medication regularly then it can add up.

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If you cannot claim a free prescription there is another option that may help you save money in the long run. A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) costs £111.60 a year and covers all your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.

According to the NHS, you are eligible for a completely free prescription if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • Aged 60 or over
  • Aged under 16
  • Aged 16 to 18 and in full-time education
  • Are pregnant
  • Have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption (MatEx) certificate.
  • Have a special medical condition alongside a medical exemption (MedEx) certificate
  • Have an ongoing physical disability that prevents you going out without help from another person as well as a MedEx certificate
  • Currently admitted to hospital on a doctor's orders
  • Claiming certain benefits or on low-income

For those claiming certain benefits, you can claim a free prescription if you or your partner receive some form of benefit or if you are under 20 and reliant on someone who receives one of the following payments:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Universal Credit (not applicable to all claimants)

Furthermore, if you receive tax credit you may receive a free prescription if you meet one of the following:

  • a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice. You qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
  • a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)

To find out if you're eligible for free prescriptions or other forms of NHS cost support, you can fill in the NHS Business Services Authority checker here.