Wigs And Fabric Supports On The Nhs

Wigs and fabric supports are available on the NHS, but you will be charged for them unless you qualify for help with charges.

NHS wigs and fabric supports costs

• surgical bra - £32.50
• abdominal or spinal support - £49.05
• stock modacrylic wig - £80.15
• partial human hair wig - £212.35
• full bespoke human hair wig - £310.55

Who's entitled to free wigs and fabric supports?

You can get free wigs and fabric supports if you are:

• under 16
• 16 to 18 and in full-time education
• a hospital inpatient
• a war pensioner and the wig or fabric support is for your accepted disablement and you have a valid war pension exemption certificate

You can also get free wigs and fabric support if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Universal Credit and meet the criteria (you can use the NHS Business Services Authority website to check if you can get help with health costs)

You can also get free wigs and fabric support if you're entitled to or named on:

• 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) - people named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help

I have a low income. How can I get help with NHS charges?

If you're on a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) may be able to help you.

You may qualify for a full help HC2 certificate, which includes free NHS prescriptions, if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or your income is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

You may still qualify for a limited help HC3 certificate if your income is greater than your requirements by more than half the current English prescription charge. The HC3 certificate shows how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

Certificates are usually valid for periods of between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

Find out how to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)

How do I get help with NHS wigs and fabric support charges?

Tell the person who fits your wig or fabric support you're entitled to it free, and show proof of your entitlement or a war pension exemption certificate.

You might also be entitled to help with charges if you have a valid HC3 certificate. You're only asked to pay the amount stated on the certificate or the actual cost, whichever is the least.

How can I claim a refund?

Ask the hospital for a receipt that shows that you've paid an NHS charge, and complete an HC5(W) form. You can get an HC5(W) form from the NHS Low Income Scheme page of the NHSBSA website.

Further information is also available on the NHS Business Services Authority website or by calling the customer enquiry line on 0300 330 1343.

Important numbers

• Dental services helpline - 0300 330 1348
• NHS Low Income Scheme helpline - 0300 330 1343
• Prescription services helpline - 0300 330 1349
• Queries about medical exemption certificates - 0300 330 1341
• Queries about prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) - 0300 330 1341
• Queries about tax credit certificates - 0300 330 1347
• Call 0300 123 0849 to order a paper copy of the HC12, HC5 and HC1 (SC) forms
• Call 0300 330 1343 for all other queries

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.