April 15th 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Benefits prescription charge exemption changes

From 15 April 2026, the prescription exemption categories for Income Support (Box H) and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Box K) will no longer be valid reasons for exemption from NHS prescription charges for people previously receiving these benefits. 

Prescriptions dispensed on or before 14 April 2026 with a declaration for the Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance exemption category will continue to be treated as exempt, even if the prescriptions are submitted for payment after this date.

Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance were abolished by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) from 1 April 2026. However, some payments will continue to be made for a two-week run-on period to provide transitional protection.

NHS BSA has produced a poster to communicate the changes to patients currently receiving Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.