Martin Lewis and the crew of specialists at MSE are urging claimants to ‘not assume they’re nonetheless eligible’
The cash professional alerted viewers on his present and by way of the MSE web site (Picture: ITV)
MoneySavingExpert (MSE) founder Martin Lewis and his crew of MSE specialists have issued an alert for claimants who’ve transitioned from Tax Credit to Common Credit score. They’re being warned that many could have unknowingly misplaced their entitlement to complimentary NHS prescriptions and dental care, with a threat of a £100 tremendous potential.
An announcement on the MSE web site reads: “In case you’ve moved from Tax Credit to Common Credit score, do not assume you continue to qualify free of charge prescriptions and dental remedy from the NHS – the standards is totally different and chances are you’ll now must pay. Fail to take action, and you might be fined as much as £100.”
Viewers have been additionally alerted through the newest instalment of the Martin Lewis Cash Present Dwell on ITV final evening (March 17). The finance professional revealed that the earnings threshold to qualify for these free well being advantages is considerably diminished below Common Credit score.
Underneath the outdated system, the earnings restrict free of charge prescriptions and dental remedy with Tax Credit was £15,276 earlier than tax and Nationwide Insurance coverage. MSE calculated this as roughly £1,210 a month, or £14,520 a 12 months, after deductions.
Nonetheless, for these now receiving Common Credit score, the earnings threshold drops. It’s set at £435 a month, or £935 a month if the declare features a youngster ingredient or a element for restricted functionality for work. On the MSE web site, it said that is equal to roughly £5,220 or £11,220 a 12 months.
With the switch of Tax Credit claims to Common Credit score, even when they don’t seem to be April 2025, Martin highlighted a ensuing surge in folks being penalised for wrongly claiming free NHS prescriptions and dental remedy. Individuals who try to say these companies with out cost, regardless of being ineligible, can face penalties of as much as £100.
MSE stated that in line with a Freedom of Info request for the final two monetary years to the NHSBSA – the organisation which oversees the NHS’ funds, “there was a 58% improve in dental remedy PCNs issued in 2024/25 in comparison with 2023/24 – at 211,968, up from 134,137”.
Martin pressured that many individuals are unaware that their eligibility has modified, resulting in a major improve in fines. He stated: “In case you transfer from Tax Credit to Common Credit score, don’t assume you get free prescriptions, in England that’s, and dental. The Common Credit score earnings threshold for these is decrease than below Tax Credit.”
Moved to Common Credit score from Tax Credit? You might have misplaced free dental care and prescriptions… Full particulars right here: https://t.co/BWboHFAsUI #MartinLewis
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) March 17, 2026
He added: “And keep in mind, with Common Credit score, it is deemed by a month-to-month evaluation. With Tax Credit, it is an annual evaluation that may change issues up, too. Many who have been on Tax Credit, they get to the field on the dentist or prescriptions, and so they tick the Tax Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Common Credit score containers.
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“Then they get despatched a letter saying ‘are you able to verify you are actually eligible’ as a result of they do not realise the earnings threshold is totally different. They do not try this and so there’s an as much as £100 tremendous for these folks, however they do not realise they’re doing something incorrect. There was an enormous improve in fines on this.”
Common Credit score is taking the place of different outdated advantages, like Earnings-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Earnings Help, Earnings-related Employment and Help Allowance, and Housing Profit. However in some instances, resembling when claimants reside in supported or short-term housing, sure older advantages, resembling Housing Profit, would possibly nonetheless be accessible.
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