Chapter 18: How income affects health benefits1. Working out your income2. Grants and loansGrantsStudent loan3. Discretionary funds and other paymentsDiscretionary fundsLump-sum paymentsRegular paymentsOther paymentsVoluntary or charitable payments4. Earnings5. Benefits and tax credits6. Maintenance7. Savings and other capitalThis chapter explains how your income is treated when working out your entitlement to health benefits under the NHS low income scheme (see here).If you are not exempt from healthcare costs (see Chapter 5) and have less than £16,000 a year in property, savings or other assessed income or capital, you are eligible to apply for at least some assistance.Basic facts•The NHS low income scheme helps with health costs if your income is low enough.•Student loans for maintenance and most grants count as income.•Other income, such as earnings, some benefits and tax credits, is taken into account in the assessment.