AQW 24981/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/03/2025
Answered On Date: 09/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on efforts to align Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK in ensuring that people on Universal Credit can access their entitlement to NHS eyecare.

Answer:

Work on the proposed changes to the legislation is a key priority for my Department and I am committed to ensuring that this work is completed without undue delay.

This is a complex area, as it is not the case that in GB all Universal Credit (UC) recipients are automatically eligible for help with health costs.

The public consultation on the proposed eligibility criteria for passporting UC recipients closed on 10 March 2025. I welcome the openness, feedback and engagement from all who have participated in the consultation.

Officials are currently analysing the responses and compiling a Consultation Summary Report which will be published on the Departmental website in the coming weeks. It is intended that the legislative process will be completed by summer.

My aim is to ensure that those most in need automatically receive help to access these very important health services.

Whilst the legislative process is ongoing, an interim measure remains in place for UC recipients who need financial assistance with their health costs. This is via the Health Service Low Income Scheme (LIS). This scheme was already established before UC, and is to help those who had a low income but were not a recipient of eligible benefit for Help with Health Costs. It is a paper-based scheme, processed by DfC, where UC claimants are required to apply annually to gain a potential exemption or remission from their health costs.