- Details
Help is available to some people travelling to hospitals under a Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
What are the qualifying benefits and allowances?
You can claim help with travel costs if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit (WTC) with Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- WTC with a disability element or a severe disability element
- CTC but you're not eligible for WTC
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- You receive Universal Credit and meet the criteria
Eligible patients attending either Ashford or St Peter’s Hospital may receive their reimbursement from the cashier’s office on either site. The Ashford cashier is located on the ground floor corridor just behind the reception desk and the cashier at St Peter’s is located on level 2 of the main hospital building (next to the Pharmacy). Reimbursement is on the basis of your bus or train fare on production of your ticket or your mileage if you travel by car.
Mileage is reimbursed at the rate of 12p per mile and this is subject to review and advice from HMRC. The car parking charges can be reclaimed on production of a valid ticket / receipt.
Alternatively, you may claim up to four separate visits by post. To claim you must provide evidence of your appointment date and time and evidence of your entitlement to reimbursement. E.g. your NHS Low Income Certificate (HC2 or HC3) or a copy of the letter confirming your income support, jobseekers allowance or working/child tax credit. Additionally, evidence of any dependents if claiming as or for a dependent such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or joint utility bill etc. If you do not have any of these you will need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions for a letter to confirm you are listed as a dependent. This is provided without charge.
If claiming by post you will need to complete a form HC5(T) available from either the cashier’s office or the reception desks and send it with the accompanying documentation to NHS Business Services Authority, Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6SN.
Should you have any queries relating to the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme please contact the cashier at St Peter’s Hospital on 01932 722334 or the cashier at Ashford Hospital on 01784 884271. Car parking queries should be directed to the Travel Plan Office on 01932 722228 or 01932 723675.
For further information please see: www.nhs.uk/healthcosts
