The following people are eligible for support with NHS costs (such as for prescriptions, dental work and eye tests):

• All people aged under 16 year olds

• 16 - 18 year olds in full-time education

• People who are 60 years old or over

• People who are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months and have a maternity exemption certificate are eligible for free prescriptions 

• People who have a continuing physical disability and/or a medical exemption form (e.g. for diabetes or epilepsy). To find out what medical conditions are covered and how to apply, use this link

• People who are on the following benefits:

  • Income support

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Child Tax Credit (and an income of less than £15,276)

  • Working Tax Credit (and an income of less than £15,276)

  • Some people on Universal Credit (if your earnings during your last complete assessment period were £435 or less, or £935 or less if you had a child element or had limited capability for work)

  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

You can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme to get help with NHS costs if you do not receive any of the above benefits and you do not have more than the below in savings, investments or property (not counting the place where you live): 

• £23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home 

• £16,000 for everyone else.

The NHS Minor Ailment Scheme, which is available through selected pharmacies, including some Boots pharmacies, is a service that allows pharmacists to treat minor illnesses and conditions at no cost.

People aged 40 - 74 years old are eligible for free health checks every 5 years as part of the NHS Health Check. These checks will look at

• your body mass index (BMI) score

• your blood pressure

• your cholesterol levels

• your alcohol use score

• your physical activity assessment result

• your diabetes risk assessment

You should be invited automatically but if you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your GP surgery to find out if they offer NHS Health Checks or contact your local council to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check in your area. Some pharmacies also offer NHS Health Checks.

The Healthy Start Scheme is available to women who are more than 10 weeks pregnant and/or have a child under the age of 4 years old and who receive certain benefits (see eligibility here. The scheme provides money towards healthy food (between £4.25 and £8.50 a week) as well as:

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

There are lots of free fitness apps to help us stay fit and healthy - this article by the British Heart Foundation summarises some of the best ones.

If you need to take time off work due to sickness you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) which is £116.75 a week for up to 28 weeks. Find out more here.