Getting help with travel costs

If you travel by public transport, you may be able to get help with your travel costs to and from hospital if you are receiving any of the following benefits:

• Income Support (bank statement or letter from DWP dated within 3 months)
• Income Based Job seeker’s allowance – JSA (letter from DWP dated within 3 months)
• Income Based Employment and Support Allowance - ESA (letter from DWP dated within 3 months)
• Universal Credit (need to have the payment journal on your mobile and show the last payment or print payment details within 3 months)
• Low Income Tax Credit Award letter for the year
• Pension Credit Guaranteed (an award letter valid within a year)
• To be in receipt of a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• If you are on a low income and in receipt of certificate HC2 or HC3.

You must have proof of benefit to claim your fares. For further details as to how to claim, please visit Fares and Reimbursement desk in the GOSH main building or call 0207 813 8152.

If the Travel and Reimbursement desk is closed, please collect a HC5(T) – Refund claim form: (travel costs to receive NHS treatment) from the Main Reception. Once you have completed the form please post to:

NHS Business Services Authority

Bridge House

152 Pilgrim Street

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 6SN

• You may be able to claim back the Congestion Charge if the patient has a compromised immune system, requires regular therapy or assessment, or requires regular surgical intervention AND is clinically assessed as too weak or disabled to travel to the hospital on public transport.
• Use the official Transport for London (TfL) website to pay the charge online, which is cheaper than other websites (we will not be able to refund the difference).
• You will need from TFL a hard copy or a PDF document receipt to show at the Fares and Reimbursement Office. The congestion charge must be paid on the same day of the appointment. We do not pay late payment fees. For further details of conditions and how to claim, please visit Fares and Reimbursement in the GOSH main building or call 0207 813 8152.

You may need to pay a fee to drive within the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in central London. You can find out more, including whether your vehicle meets ULEZ standards, on the TFL website.