To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people (a) applied for and (b) received the Help with Health Costs grant in 2008-09; what the average amount received was; what the eligibility criteria for the grant are; and what the main reasons for refusing applications were in that period. (309377)

No grant is payable under Help with Health Costs.

The words “Help with Health Costs” are used as a description of the extensive range of exemptions and remissions created to help patients meet the cost of certain national health service charges. Further details are provided in the leaflet HC11 Help with Health Costs, available at:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4078082

A copy has been placed in the Library.