Wigs and fabric supports
NHS wigs and fabric supports supplied through a hospital are free if you live in Scotland or Wales. The current charges in England are:
stock modacrylic wig: £71.25
partial wig – human hair: £188.70
full made-to-order wig: human hair £275.95
abdominal support: £43.60
spinal support: £43.60
surgical brassiere: £28.85
Certain groups do not have to pay these charges.
Age
You’re entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports if you are:
under 16
under 19 and in full time education
Benefits
Income-based benefits
You are automatically entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports if you’re included in award for:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
If you’re getting one of these benefits, your partner and any dependent young people under 20 are also entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports.
You are also entitled to:
free NHS prescriptions
free NHS sight tests
free NHS dental treatment
help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
refunds of necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment
Use your award notice as proof that you’re entitled.
Contribution-based benefits
If you’re receiving contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports. However, you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Pension Credits
You’re entitled to free NHS wigs and fabric supports if you or your partner gets:
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit.
You’re also entitled to:
free NHS prescriptions
free NHS sight tests
free NHS dental treatment
help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
refunds of necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment
If you get Pension Credit Savings Credit on its own, you are not automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. However, you could apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Universal Credit
If you’re getting Universal Credit, your entitlement to free NHS wigs and fabric supports depends on your earnings for the most recent assessment period. You’re entitled if your earnings during that period were:
£435 or less
£935 or less if your Universal Credit includes an element for either:
a child
limited capability for work
‘Most recent assessment period’ means the assessment period that ended immediately before the date you claim free NHS prescriptions. It runs for a calendar month.
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, the earnings limit applies to the joint income of you and your partner.
If you meet these conditions, you’re also entitled to:
free NHS prescriptions
free NHS sight tests
free NHS dental treatment
help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses
refunds of necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment
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