Help with travel costs to and from hospital appointments
Under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS), you may be able to receive help with travel costs to and from the hospital. This can also include the expenses of someone who has to go with you because it is medically necessary.
If you or your loved one are living with a brain tumour, you (and a companion if medically necessary) may qualify for financial help with costs incurred travelling to and from hospital appointments, as well as parking charges.
This usually involves being able to claim back costs, rather than receiving up front payment.
On this page:
Can I get help with travel costs to the hospital?
How do I claim for help with travel costs to the hospital?
Carers
Help with hospital parking costs
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You must meet certain criteria to qualify for such assistance, including the following:
- You or your partner must be on certain benefits or your income is sufficiently low (see below).
- You have evidence of your appointment – this could be an letter or appointment card
- You have your receipts
If you or your partner are on the following benefits, you can claim help with travel costs to the hospital:
- Income Support
- income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 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 (and your income is below a specified amount and your name is on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit (and you have no earnings or earnings below a specified level)
You can also claim if your weekly income is sufficiently low and your savings are below a certain level. You will need to apply for this using an HC1, and if you qualify, you will receive an HC2 or HC3 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme
The NHS will normally only refund the costs of the cheapest form of transport that is reasonable in your circumstances. In most cases, this will be public transport, but the NHS will take into account your age, medical condition, and other relevant factors, such as the availability of public transport.
Expert advice and guidance
Speak to our experienced advisors for advice on the financial support you may be eligible for to help pay for healthcare travel costs.
How do I claim for help with travel costs to the hospital?
You must claim back within 3 months of your appointment and you’ll need your:
- travel receipts
- appointment letter or card
- proof that you’re receiving one of the benefits, have an NHS Exemption Certificate or an HC2 or HC3
You’ll need to take these to a nominated cashiers’ office (although this may be known by a different name), which are normally located in the hospital or clinic that treated you. You can ask reception or PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Services) where to find the office.
Visit the NHS Low Income Scheme for more information and a full list of eligibility criteria.
Carers
If you’re caring for someone who’s living with a brain tumour, you may be able to receive help with travel costs to the hospital through a Budgeting Loan from the government’s Social Fund. Eligibility criteria apply, including low income or receiving income based Employment Support Allowance. And you have to pay the money back. If you are receiving Universal Credit, you cannot apply for a budgeting loan, but can apply for a Universal Credit budgeting advance. You will have this payment back directly from your Universal Credit payments.
For more information, speak to our expert benefits advisor by booking an appointment for our free telephone Benefits Clinic.
Join our online support groups
Our online support groups are a great place to connect with other people affected by a brain tumour and share your experiences.
Help with hospital parking costs
Hospital car parking policies are different across the UK.
- In England, many hospitals give free car parking or discounts to people with cancer (high grade tumours). However, they don’t always clearly advertise this, so ask your hospital if this is something they do.
- In Wales, all hospital parking is free.
- In Scotland, hospital parking is free at most hospitals but some still charge for privately-run car parks.
- In Northern Ireland, hospital parking is free if you’re having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It’s also free if you’re a partner or relative and are transporting the person having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Hospitals can give free parking to others at their discretion.
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If you need someone to talk to or advice on where to get help, our Support and Information team is available by phone, email or live-chat.
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