Eligible Universal Credit (UC) recipients in Northern Ireland will automatically qualify for free sight tests, dental treatment, and travel costs for health service treatment starting 1 December. The move updates the Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme, which provides financial support for low-income individuals needing dental care, eyesight tests, glasses or contact lenses, and travel to Health and Social Care appointments.

Previously, people on certain legacy benefits were automatically entitled to HwHC support, while Universal Credit recipients had to apply manually, as legislation had not yet been amended to reflect the introduction of UC in Northern Ireland. The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 have now been updated to ensure eligible UC claimants are automatically passported to the scheme, benefiting over 195,000 people. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "Tackling health inequalities has been a key area of focus for me since taking up the office of Health Minister.

"Intensive work has been ongoing within my Department to reinstate automatic passporting for those eligible for support through the Help with Health Costs scheme following the migration of their benefits to Universal Credit.

"The loss of automatic passporting for such a large number of people in Northern Ireland has been of considerable and understandable concern.

"I am delighted to say that work has completed to update the relevant legislation which now brings Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK in this area and will ensure that eligible Universal Credit recipients receive the automatic help they need to access these crucial healthcare services."

Not all UC recipients will qualify automatically, as an earnings threshold will apply to determine eligibility, in line with arrangements in Great Britain.