Universal Credit claimants in receipt of free prescriptions will soon have to follow new guidelines to get medication on the NHS.
The Department of Health and Social Care told Mirror Money it's currently rolling out a new process that will make it easier for those on the scheme to get free medical aid.
The current prescription form, known as FP10, has been changed to include a 'U' tick box for Universal Credit claimants who meet the criteria for free prescriptions.
However, not everyone on Universal Credit will be entitled to the benefit, as many people are already earning above the threshold criteria.
Universal Credit claimants are only entitled to free prescriptions if their earnings are £435 or less, or £935 or less if they have a child or are unable to work.
Claimants can read more on the eligibility criteria, here.
Those who don’t meet the eligibility criteria can apply separately to the NHS Low Income Scheme to find out if they can get the additional support.
Alternatively, here are 8 ways to beat - or lower - your prescription costs in England.
Meanwhile, those who qualify are being warned to check the correct box to ensure they don't lose out.
Patients can find out if they're entitled to free NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and help with other NHS costs using the online eligibility checker.
Minister for Welfare Delivery, Will Quince, said: "I'm delighted that this common-sense change will mean it’s simpler for people on Universal Credit to get free prescriptions.
"There’s a huge amount of support available to people, and people should check out www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk to see what else they could be entitled to."
Universal Credit is changing this April after a four year freeze on payments.
The amount families will receive will rise by 1.7% in line with inflation.
This means your monthly amount, based on your assessment period, will rise accordingly.
For example, someone who gets £100 a month will see the payment rise by £1.70.
Households that receive £500 will see payments go up by £8.50 and those who get £1,000 Universal Credit will see an extra £17 added to payouts.
The changes will affect those on both the legacy benefits system and Universal Credit.
This includes those in receipt of job seeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, income support, housing benefit, child tax credits, working tax credits and child benefit.
Here are the six changes coming to benefits this year.
