This advice and guidance is for patients attending any of the hospital sites/departments managed by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) is a Department of Health scheme which allows patients on a low income or specific benefits to claim a refund for reasonable travel costs to hospital.

You are eligible for reimbursement if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support (evidence required, e.g. award letter)
  • Guarantee Pension Credit (evidence required, e.g. award letter)
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based, evidence required)
  • Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (evidence required, eg award letter)
  • HC2 Certificate (full help) to cover dates attending hospital
  • HC3 Certificate (partial help) to cover dates attending hospital
  • Working Tax Credit (should hold valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)
  • Child Tax Credit (should hold valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate)

If you are on a low income but not in receipt of any of the above benefits you may be eligible to claim using forms HC1 and HC5.

These forms are available from the NHS Business Service Authority and will be posted to you free of charge.

For further information about help with health costs and to obtain the relevant forms go to: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts

If you are claiming whilst you are attending the hospital, you or your representative can take the following documents to the General Office at East Lancashire NHS Hospitals Trust:

  • Current proof of benefit and appointment letter together with the valid receipts for public transport or Trust car parking payment

If you are unable to attend the General Office or your appointment is outside of the General Office opening hours, you can claim by completing a HC5(T) claim form:

  • The form, with the valid receipts/used tickets for public transport and completed HC1 form, will need to be sent to NHS Business Services Authority, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SN

Payment will only be made if ALL the relevant documents are presented.

Claims must be made within three months of the date of appointment.​​​​

Public transport

The amount will be calculated on the cheapest form of public transport available, including concessionary and promotional fares.

Private car

The refund will be based on distances determined from the Trust’s mileage chart.

The current mileage rate is available from the Cashier’s Office.

Taxi

If you need to use a taxi, you should agree this in advance with the hospital before you travel.

Where a medical exemption exists, proof in the form of a letter from a health professional will be required before a full refund is issued.

Escorts

You may claim for the travel cost of one escort if this is considered medically necessary.

To claim for the cost of an escort the relevant section of the HC5(T) claim form must be completed by a member of the medical team.

Fraud is unacceptable in the NHS and the Trust has in place a robust mechanism for checking claims.

If fraud is suspected it will be reported to our Local Counter Fraud Specialist.

Blackburn General Office

General Office main line: 01254 732216

Cashiers Team: 01254 732626

Burnley General Office

General Office main line: 01282 804354

Cashiers Team: 01282 804465

Clitheroe General Office

General Office and Cashiers team: 01200 449000

If you are unhappy with a decision to refuse payment, or with the amount you have been reimbursed, please contact the Customer Relations Team through completing a complaints form here or by emailing complaints@elht.nhs.uk