Lower income discount
Doctors on a lower income may be eligible to a 50% discount on their fee.
To be eligible for the discount your gross annual world-wide income, from all sources, in the registration year for which you are applying must be less than the lower income discount threshold for that year.
The income threshold depends on the date your annual fee falls due, or the date you were granted registration with a licence to practise if you are applying in your first year of registration.
You can apply for the lower income discount using the lower income discount application form (88kb, PDF)
Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. How to claim the discount
- 3. How the discount will work
- 4. Declaration of your income
- 5. Withdrawing your claim
- 6. Contact us
1. Introduction
The lower income discount helps doctors who are on a low income. It gives you a 50% discount on the registration fee or annual retention fee (ARF) for that year.
The lower income discount is available to doctors who are fully registered, with or without a licence to practise.
The discount is not available in the first 2 years of provisional registration, or on restoration fees.
If you expect your gross annual worldwide income from all sources to be below the specified income threshold, you are eligible to apply.
Lower income discount thresholds
- £21,391 if your annual retention fee is due between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, or you were granted full registration for the first time in this time frame.
- £21,862 if your annual retention fee is due between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010, or you are granted full registration for the first time in this time frame.
- £22,190 if your fee is due between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, or you are granted full registration for the first time in this time frame.
We define income as your gross annual worldwide income from all sources, including (for example) pensions, investments, maternity pay, sick pay and any kind of benefit.
Lower income discounts
- The ARF for the year 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 is £390, and the discount is £195.
- The ARF for registration with a licence to practise for the year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 is £410, and the discount is £205. The ARF for registration without a licence to practise from 16 November 2009 to 31 March 2010 is £145, and the discount is £72.50.
- The ARF for registration with a licence to practise for the year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 is £420, and the discount is £210. The ARF for registration without a licence to practise from 1 April 2010 is £145, and the discount is £72.50.
2. How to claim the discount
To claim the lower income discount please complete a lower income discount application form (88kb, pdf) and return it to us. Alternatively you can fax or email us a scanned application but it must be signed and dated.
If you are applying for registration with a licence to practise for the first time you must pay the fee in full and then apply for the discount once you are registered.
If you are paying an annual retention fee we encourage you to apply at the beginning of your registration year to avoid having to pay the full fee. You can apply up to three months before your annual retention fee is due.
If your financial circumstances change mid year you can apply for the discount at any time in your current registration year.
If you are applying for the first time you should complete your details and Part A of the form.
If you were granted the lower income discount previously and wish to reapply you should complete your details together with Parts A and B of the form.
If you were granted the lower income discount previously and do not wish to reapply for the next year you should complete your details and Part B of the form.
If you are applying at the end of your registration year, having paid the full fee, you should complete your details together with both Parts A and B of the form.
3. How the discount will work
When we receive your completed application we will assess it. If your application is for your forthcoming registration year and you have not received your fee notice, we will write to you to tell you whether or not your application has been approved. When your annual retention fee notice is sent to you it will reflect the discount and confirm the amount payable.
For example: if you are registered with a licence to practise and your annual fee is due on 1 August 2010 and you apply for the lower income discount on the 1 June 2010, you will receive a fee notice for £210. This is the annual fee of £420 less the 50% discount.
If you have applied after receiving a fee notice, or part way through the year, we will send you a statement detailing the balance on your account. If you have paid your fee in full we will refund the overpayment within 10 days of granting the discount. If you pay by monthly or quarterly Direct Debit we will adjust your payment plan accordingly.
4. Declaration of your income
Towards the end of the registration year in which you have claimed a lower income discount we will write to you enclosing an application and declaration form. We will ask you to declare that your actual gross annual worldwide income, from all sources, was below or above the income threshold and ask you if you wish to reapply for the discount.
You must complete your details and Part B of the form, sign and date the declaration and return this to us. If we do not receive your completed declaration we may withdraw your discount and request payment of the remaining fee. We will be unable to process any future applications for the lower income discount.
We may ask you to provide documentary evidence to support your claim for the lower income discount. False information may result in the GMC removing your name from the Register.
If you have earned more than the threshold you are liable to pay the remaining balance of the fee.
5. Withdrawing your claim
If you have claimed the lower income discount and your income changes within the registration year, you should review your expected income. If you are no longer entitled to the lower income discount it is important you advise us immediately. You should complete your details and Part B of this form stating that you earned above the threshold and return this to us. You are liable to pay the remaining balance of the fee.
6. Contact us
General Medical Council
Fees Team
3 Hardman Street
Manchester
M3 3AW
United Kingdom
Phone: 0161 923 6602 (+44 161 923 6602 from outside the UK)
Fax: 0161 923 6352 (+44 161 923 6352 from outside the UK)
Email: regfees@gmc-uk.org
Website: http://www.gmc-uk.org