Are Dentist Appointments Free On Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a state benefit aimed at supporting individuals on low income to help them meet living costs. Through this blog post, we will discuss whether dentist appointments are free of cost for individuals on Universal Credit. We will also explore other health costs covered under Universal Credit; along with an explanation of Universal Credit, its eligibility criteria and living circumstances that have an impact on its claim.

Are Dentist Appointments Free On Universal Credit?

Yes, if you claim Universal Credit, dentist appointments and NHS dental treatments are free for you if you fulfil the below conditions:

under 18, or under 19 years of age and in full-time education
pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months
being treated in an NHS hospital and their treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
on low-income benefits, or they are under 20 years of age and dependent on someone receiving low-income benefits

You will need to provide the NHS with the following documents to prove your entitlement:

NHS tax credit exemption certificate
HC2 certificate
maternity exemption certificate

Under your Universal Credit claim, you will be able to avail of the following dental treatments at the NHS:

examinations, diagnosis advice on how to prevent future dental problems, scale and polish of teeth
emergency care that includes pain relief or a temporary tooth filling
root canal or extraction of a tooth
dentures, bridges or labwork

In addition to Universal Credit, if the claimant receives any of the following benefits they can still claim free appointments and certain free dental treatments at the NHS:

Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

When you book an appointment with a dentist at the NHS, you must inform them of your exemption status. When you visit them for consult do carry information regarding your HC2 or HC3 certificate (whichever is applicable in your case).

If you have forgotten to declare your exemption status prior to your appointment, you ask for a refund by asking your dentist for the NHS receipt form FP64.

Can I Get Free Eye Test On Universal Credit?

You can get an NHS funded eye test and free glasses (if you are entitled to a full NHS optical voucher) at Specsavers if you are on Universal credit and fulfil any of the following conditions:

Aged 0-15 and registered as partially sighted or blind
Aged 16, 17 or 18, currently in full-time education and diagnosed with either diabetes or glaucoma

In case you are older and fulfil the below conditions you can still avail of the NHS funded eye test (usually charged at a price between £20-£25) at Specsavers:

Aged 40 or above, your parents, siblings or children have been diagnosed with glaucoma
Aged 60 or above and advised by an ophthalmologist of being at risk of glaucoma
A prisoner or prisoner on leave
Eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher (an opthalmologist will confirm this)

Can Universal Credit Help With Health Costs?

Yes, you may be eligible for health costs to be covered by the NHS if you are on Universal Credit and fulfil the below criteria:

you have either no earnings or earnings less than £435 as per your most recent assessment for Universal Credit; or

your Universal Credit claim includes an element for a child or you (or your partner) with limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) and your earnings are less than £935 as per your most recent assessment for Universal Credit.

Your benefit claim for Universal Credit makes you eligible for the following health costs:

Free prescriptions
Dental treatment
Sight tests
Glasses and contact lenses
Essential travel costs
Wigs and fabric support

If you are not eligible for benefits but are on low income, you may be able to avail of discounts for healthcare costs under the NHS low-income scheme.

What Is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a state benefit for UK citizens above the age of 18 and below state pension age. It aims to provide financial assistance to individuals who are either out of work or on a low income. It is a monthly payment that claimants receive to help them to cover living costs.

Universal Credit has replaced six benefits, referred to as the “legacy benefits” by serving a single payment for households and helping them meet housing and childcare costs. These include:

Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

Additionally, it provides support for health conditions, disabilities or the role of a carer that prevent claimants from working full time or working at all.

Who Is Eligible For Universal Credit?

To qualify for Universal Credit, claimants must be able to fulfil the below eligibility criteria:

aged between 18 (in some cases it may be 16 or 17) and state pension age
unemployed or on low income
between the claimant and their partner, total savings are less than £6,000
experiencing high costs for child care
suffering from a disability or health condition
caring for someone else

The amount of Universal Credit that an individual receives depends on their personal circumstances and income (if any). For instance, someone who is single and younger than 25 years of age will be eligible for Universal Credit amounting to around £257 per month. Meanwhile, this amount will rise to around £509 for someone who is living with a partner and either one of them or both of them are above the age of 25.

What Is Classed As Low Income For Universal Credit?

Households in the UK are classified as being on low income if they live on less than 60 per cent of the median net disposable income earned. As per recent data gathered and analysed by the Department for Work and Pensions a household with a couple having no children would be considered to be in low income if their annual household income is less than £17,100 BHC (before housing costs) and £14,800 AHC (after housing costs). The median income for the term 2019-2020 has been taken as £547 per week; while 60 per cent of the median income mark falls at £328 during the last fiscal. This means that any household with a combined income of less than £328 is considered to be on low income.

What Counts As Income For Universal Credit?

During your benefits calculation by the DWP, not only is your job-related income(s) taken into account, but the authorities will also consider unearned incomes. These are incomes that individuals receive without having to work.

Unearned incomes that affect your Universal Credit payments include the following:

Jobseeker’s Allowance (new style)
Employment and Support Allowance (new style)
Pension Income
Carer’s Allowance
State benefits that aren’t replaced by Universal Credit

For every £1 earned through any of the above means, £1 will be reduced from your Universal Credit payments.

However, the following unearned incomes do not count towards Universal Credit calculations:

Child Benefit
Child Maintenance Payments
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Income From Boarders And Lodgers.

Which Benefits Are Included In Universal Credit?

Universal Credit has replaced six benefits, referred to as the “legacy benefits” by serving a single payment for households and helping them meet housing and childcare costs. These include:

Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Housing Benefit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

Additionally, it provides support for health conditions, disabilities or the role of a carer that prevent claimants from working full time or working at all.

According to government statistics, there were approximately 5.9 million claimants of Universal Credit in July 2021, out of which 53 per cent were women.

Which Change In Circumstances Affect Universal Credit?

Certain changes in your circumstances can bear an impact on the benefits you receive including Universal Credit. If you hide such facts from the authorities with the intention to avoid a reduction in your benefits, you may be penalised or taken to court. Therefore, it is advisable if you face any of the following situations, you must inform the relevant authorities by signing in to your Universal Credit account

a new mobile number, postal or email address
a change in your bank details
change of residence due to moving in with a partner
having a child
changes to your health condition
being unable to work due to an illness
starting to care for a child or disabled person
finding or finishing a job
changes to your earnings, savings, investments
changes to rental payments
changes to your immigration status (in case you’re not a British citizen)

Conclusion:

Through this detailed discussion, we have come to learn that dentist appointments and many dental treatmensr under the NHS are free of cost for claimants of Universal Credit. In addition to this, eye tests and many other health costs are also taken care of by Universal Credit for those on low income and claiming the benefit. However, once someone experiences a change in their income and living conditions they must inform the DWP as certain conditions bear an impact on your Universal Credit claim.

FAQs: Are Dentist Appointments Free On Universal Credit?

How do I show my dentist that I am on Universal Credit?

To prove your Universal Credit eligibility to your dentist, you can show them a copy of your Universal Credit award notice.

How much does a full set of dentures cost in the UK?

At the lower end of the spectrum, a full set of dentures in the UK can cost between £500 and £700. Meanwhile a middle priced set of dentures costs between £900 and £1,250.

At what age do you get free dental treatment in the UK?

You can get free dental treatment if you are under 18, or under 19 years of age and in full-time education, pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months.

Do you pay for dental treatment at 60 in the UK?

Dental treatment is free irrespective of your age if you claim Universal Credit, Guarantee credit part of Pension Credit. Income Support. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.