Can I get a free NHS personal alarm?
May 20, 2026 • 6 min read
If you are concerned about living alone or feel vulnerable, an alarm can provide reassurance. You may wonder if there is an NHS personal alarm available for free that would meet your needs.
A personal alarm for older adults can offer security and peace of mind. Many older people find these services very helpful when they return home from the hospital. They are also useful for those with specific health needs that require extra care.
In this article, we look at whether you can get a personal alarm for free through the NHS, and who can get a discounted or free personal alarm. We also discuss the other options if you don't qualify for a free personal alarm, and the benefits of considering a paid-for personal alarm service.
But first, let’s get straight to the point…
Can you get a free personal alarm in the UK through the NHS?
No, the NHS does not offer free personal alarms. However, the NHS does recommend buying your own personal alarm, or reaching out to your local council to get help with the costs of a personal alarm monitoring system. We’ll explore this further throughout the article.
Jump to:
- What is a personal alarm?
- Does the NHS provide free personal alarms?
- How to get an alarm for free from your local council
- What is the qualifying criteria for a free personal alarm from your local council?
- Choosing the right personal alarm from a local authority or council
- Other options if you do not qualify for a free personal alarm
What is a personal alarm?
A personal alarm is a wearable device that connects the user to a 24-hour monitoring centre in an emergency. These wearable devices provide reassurance and confidence to the wearer and their loved ones.
A personal alarm can quickly connect you to a trained professional in case of an emergency or any concerns.
Personal alarms have a range of features beyond calling for help, such as GPS tracking and additional safety features. They also have two-way communication with a powerful speaker and microphone built-in, allowing you to speak directly to the alarm monitoring centre.
One of the many benefits of a personal alarm over a mobile phone is that you can always have a help device on you. They can have a long-lasting battery life, so you don't have to worry about charging them or the battery running down.
- You can activate your alarm to speak with the 24-hour alarm monitoring centre
- The team will speak to you through the alarm equipment and quickly assess the situation. They will call nominated contacts, such as family, neighbors, or friends, if they need further help.
- If you require medical assistance or the alarm monitoring centre can't reach your loved ones, they will call the emergency services.
Does the NHS provide free personal alarms?
No, the NHS does not provide personal alarms for free. The NHS offers excellent and valuable healthcare services, however emergency alarms come under the category of social care or assistive technology devices, sometimes known as telecare. They typically fall under the responsibility of local authorities and councils rather than the NHS.
The NHS website discusses the value of personal alarms and suggests approaching the adult social services at your council to find out whether you are eligible for a free personal alarm or contacting private providers, such as Taking Care.
Are personal alarms free if you have a terminal illness?
Unfortunately, personal alarms are not free even if you have a terminal illness. People with a terminal illness are eligible for VAT exemption on personal alarms though, which helps to reduce the cost, or they might still be able to get a free or heavily reduced personal alarm through the local council.
How to get an alarm for free from your local council
While the NHS does not provide personal alarms for free, you or your loved one may qualify for a free alarm through the local council, depending on whether you qualify. Some councils provide telecare alarm services, although they are usually basic alarm systems and increasingly councils are unable to provide these services due to budget pressures. Whether you are eligible can depend on various factors such as age, income level, medical conditions and disabilities.
You can contact your local council by visiting their website to enquire about any support schemes or services they have for telecare alarms. Different local councils may have different qualifying criteria, if they are able to offer the service, and this can involve a home assessment.
If you need help with how to reach your local council, visit the Gov.UK website for more information.
What is the qualifying criteria for a free personal alarm from your local council?
Income
People with low incomes or those who receive benefits and entitlements like pension credit might be eligible for a free personal alarm. For some individuals, housing associations or councils sometimes provide emergency alarm devices for a reduced monthly cost.
Vulnerable or living alone
Individuals living alone or without regular support might qualify for a free or discounted personal alarm. If you or your loved one are in this category, local councils may do a home assessment to understand your situation.
Disability or health conditions
People with a disability, mobility issues, or a chronic health condition might qualify for a discounted or free personal alarm. These conditions might put you at a higher risk for emergencies at home, making you eligible.
If you qualify, the local council may cover the cost of the alarm or provide funding for it as part of your care package.
Where to turn if you cannot get a free personal alarm
If do not qualify for a free personal alarm or your local council does not offer this service then consider a device through a private provider such as Taking Care.
Choosing the right personal alarm from a local authority or council
There are different types of alarms and assistive technology devices available, although councils may only be able to offer basic packages. Whether you are considering a free personal alarm from your local council or from a private alarm provider, it's important that you choose one that meets your needs.
Council alarms are typically basic monitored devices. For a full guide to the different types available on the market, see our guide to personal alarm types.
Other telecare devices
Other telecare devices including bed sensors, motion sensors and home monitoring sensors can also be used to provide a level of care which support independent living.
If you still feel unsure about which features of an emergency alarm could be beneficial for you, contact one of our Independent Living Advisors to make sure you choose the right device suitable for your needs.
Other options if you do not qualify for a free personal alarm
If you cannot get a free personal alarm through your local authority, the NHS website suggests contacting the Telecare Services Association (TSA), the industry body for telecare and alarm providers, to find a private provider.
Taking Care Personal Alarms is a member of the TSA and work closely with Age UK and also many local authorities, councils and housing associations to provide personal alarm services.
Personal alarms from Taking Care come with a 30-day money back guarantee. Compare our most popular personal alarms or speak to our Independent Living Advisors.
Also, if you, or the person you are buying the alarm for, have a condition requiring regular medication, are chronically sick, or are registered disabled, you may qualify as VAT exempt, saving you some money on your personal alarm.
Get in touch with our team by calling 0800 085 7371, 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday if you want some help choosing the right alarm.
How personal alarms helps to take pressure off the NHS
As the NHS continues to face rising demand and limited resources, finding effective ways to support vulnerable individuals in the community has never been more important. Personal alarms play a vital role in enabling older people and those with health conditions to live independently while staying safe.
Reducing emergency calls: Prompt alerts can prevent situations from escalating, decreasing the need for emergency interventions and reducing the need to send out ambulances, which comes at quite a cost to the NHS.
Preventing hospital admissions: Early assistance can mitigate the severity of incidents, potentially avoiding hospital stays.
Supporting independent living: Enabling vulnerable individuals to live safely at home reduces reliance on NHS resources.
By offering quick access to help and preventing minor incidents from becoming major emergencies, personal alarms are a simple yet powerful tool in relieving strain on the NHS. As more people choose to live independently for longer, these devices not only provide peace of mind but also play a key part in supporting a more sustainable healthcare system.
