Claiming fares and expenses guidance

Claiming back fares and expenses

You may be able to claim back travel fares and hospital expenses.

Do you receive: 

• Income support? 
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance? 
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit? 
• Income-related – Employment and Support Allowance? 
• Are you named on an NHS tax credit exemption certificate? 
• Do you receive Universal Credit and meet the criteria? 
• Are you on low income and named on certificate HC2 or HC3?

If the answer is yes to any of these, you may be entitled to claim your fares. Ask the clinic or ward to complete a pink claim form for you- then take it to the Cash Office based in the atrium of the hospital.

If the answer is no, you are not entitled to claim your fares from Alder Hey. But if you feel you are on a low income, you may be able to claim some expenses back. You need to ask your local job centre for an HC5(T) and an HC1 form.

Please bring with you proof of your benefit from the Department of Works and Pensions. We need to see all pages of your document. We must see all tickets and travel receipts so please keep these safe. We reimburse only the cheapest form of public transport, e.g. train or bus, car /mileage and we do not reimburse taxi fares. We only reimburse fares for one adult and the patient at Alder Hey and we can only reimburse the person who is the named recipient of the benefit.

You have 3 months from the date of your visit to claim your fares and you may request a postal claim form.

We cannot reimburse travel costs for patients travelling from Scotland and Ireland so if you are from these countries, please contact your Local Health Authority.

If you are travelling by private car with the patient, the mileage will be calculated using AA Route planner. Remember to please bring your appointment letter with you.

Types of Benefits

• Income Support. A letter from DWP dated within 12 months.
• Valid NHS exemption certificate with the correct expiry date.
• Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). A letter from DWP or card within 12 months of expiry.
• Pension Credit with credit guarantee.
• Valid HC2/HC3. The certificate must be within the expiry date. NB HC3 often have limited amounts for claiming travel.
• Universal Credit (UC). A Letter from UC or statement of account which families obtain postal/online monthly from UC. Mobile Phone payment is acceptable, provided it is an up-to-date payment, and the name and address are the same as the hospital record. This statement must show that they have not earned over £435.00 per month or £935 if they are responsible for a child or have limited capability for work.

Claiming for mileage/public transport

If you receive certain benefits, you can claim travel expenses for mileage or public transport for outpatient appointments and upon discharge for the patient and one adult, which must be within three months of your child’s appointment or admission. You will need to show documentation dated within 12 months of the hospital appointment (with the exception of Universal Credit which requires the previous month’s award notification) and your tickets at the Cash Office when you claim. We do not pay taxi fares.

Who can’t claim help with costs?

You can’t claim help with travel costs if:

• You’re visiting someone in the hospital – but if you receive one of the qualifying benefits listed below, you may be able to receive assistance from your local council.
• You’re visiting your local GP, dentist or other primary care service provider for routine check-ups or other services, such as vaccinations or cervical cancer screening, as these are excluded from the scheme – urgent primary care services during out-of-hours periods (between 6.30pm and 8pm weekdays, at weekends or on bank holidays) are also excluded.

If you want to know more about fare reimbursement, please contact the Cash Office based in the hospital atrium, on 0151 293 3699.