Travel expenses
You may be eligible for a cash refund for heath care travel, through the Hospital Travel Cost Scheme. You quality if you are a patient:- Receiving income support:
- Receiving income-based employment and support allowance
- Receiving income-based jobseekers allowance
- Receiving or named on an award certificate for:-
- Working Tax Credit with Child Tax Credit;
- Working Tax Credit with a disability element or a severe disability element
- Child Tax Credit but not eligible for Working Tax Credit
Under the regulations, travel costs should be calculated based on the cheapest form of transport appropriate to the patient. Hospitals should therefore check that travel costs are reasonable, taking into account that patient's personal circumstances.
The Hospital Travel Cost Scheme support cannot be provided to private patients.
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Making a claim
Patients arriving by public transport must bring the receipt/ticket and their proof of benefit with them. The ward or clinic will advise where you where to make your claim.
Those arriving by private car may be able to apply for petrol costs current rate per mile up to the cost of public transport fare. Proof of benefits must also be provided at the time of the claim.
Patients in receipt of mobility allowance should make their own way to hospital, using the mobility allowance, which is intended to cover mobility including attending hospital appointments.
