Prescription Exemption Changes

From the 1st April 2026, Income Support (IS) and Income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) will end and move to Universal Credit.

There will be a two-week run-on period meaning the prescription charge exemptions can continue to be claimed by selecting Box H for IS or Box K for Income‑based JSA on prescriptions dispensed on or before 14th April. These claims remain valid even if the prescriptions are submitted for payment later. 

From 15th April, these benefits will no longer provide a valid basis for exemption from NHS prescription charges.

NHS stationery (FP10 forms and EPS tokens) and IT pharmacy systems will be updated in due course. If your system uses Real Time Exemption Checking (RTEC), it can confirm whether a patient still holds a valid exemption. Please note: Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance remains a valid exemption. 

For further guidance, please download the CPE updated Dispensing Factsheet: Exemptions from the prescription charge.