prescriptions

[andypandyflower]

Daughter going Uni next month and will also be 19 yrs old, will she get free pescriptions? Husband and I get free as on Incapacity and also v v low income (less than £15,000) will daughter be able to claim free through us or will she get free by being a student?
Grateful for any helpful reply!!!

[slummymummyof3]

Only students under 19 and in full time education are entitled to free prescriptions.

[Rikki]

Students don't get free prescriptions.

Untrue. :p If they are on a low income or not earning they can get free prescriptions and dental treatment etc

Prescription Charges

Full time students under the age of 19 automatically qualify for free NHS prescriptions. If you are 19 or over and on a low income you can apply for an HC2 (full) or HC3 (limited) certificate for help with NHS charges using form HC1 available from our reception staff.
If you have not applied for the certificate or are waiting to receive one, they usually take about 4 weeks, you will have to pay for your prescription. You can reclaim the fee if you get a receipt using form FP57 from the pharmacist at the time that you get your prescription and make your claim within 3 months.

Some people with long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and hypothyroidism are eligible for free prescriptions, otherwise you will be charged by the pharmacist for each item on your prescription.




They have to apply for a HC2 form. CLICK HERE (http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/HC1_form_intro.htm)

Complete the form and then take it from there.

[Rikki]

Aren't all students on a low income? ie 0?

Fortunately I only need a few courses of antibiotics during university. I had a high pain threshold for the burning and itching.

They need to see proof of the the students income, but its normally below the limit. Nothing to do with parents earnings for a change.

[Glad]

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=1009335#post1009335)) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email abuse@moneysavingexpert.com (abuse@moneysavingexpert.com) :)

[McKneff]

i agree, atomised. I have multiple joint arthritis, p. aneamia and osteoporosis. i have to pay for all my prescriptions because i can manage to work for a living.

[LillyJ]

They need to see proof of the the students income, but its normally below the limit. Nothing to do with parents earnings for a change.

It is in some ways - you have to declare any money you get in terms of allowance from parents. You also have to declare any student loan and grants that you get, plus any part time work. Some students get it, some don't.

[Rikki]

It is in some ways - you have to declare any money you get in terms of allowance from parents. You also have to declare any student loan and grants that you get, plus any part time work. Some students get it, some don't.

Its certainly worth applying for you never know until you try. :)

[LillyJ]

Even if I had known about that I wouldn't have been bothered with it. All that hassle to save £6.95 or whatever.

Well you might be nice and healthy but some people aren't!
I developed severe asthma and a lung disease from mould in my rented student house at the age of 18. I had to take 3 inhalers, and a tablet regularly (ie 4 prescription charges per month), and probably about once every 2 months I needed a course of antibiotics and steroids. (another 2 prescription charges) So without a season ticket that would be approx £35 a month. So you would have bothered with the form for that!
That was before I had an injury to my leg playing football and had to have 3 operations, resulting in lots of painkillers and antinflammatories for that.
It is better to get the form done before you need it as it takes ages and ages. I also wear glasses for reading so it helped with that.

Before I went to uni I don't think I had ever claimed a prescription in my life, so wouldn't have thought I would need it but I did.

Luckily I am only on 2 inhalers and the odd course of antibiotics and steroids for my asthma now, and the leg is all better!

[donteatthat]

i agree, atomised. I have multiple joint arthritis, p. aneamia and osteoporosis. i have to pay for all my prescriptions because i can manage to work for a living.

I get a lot of stuff on prescription for asthma, allergy sprays, and also gluten-free stuff, calcium tablets. I pay for a year card and you can now do it on direct debit around £9 per month I think. It's good value as sometimes I need 12-15 things per month.

[McKneff]

im lucky in that my arthritis is in remission and has been for a couple years now, pure bliss, my B12 injection for my P/A is free every 3 months, the only thing i have to pay for every 3 months is my bone tablets, so a certificate would not be suitable for me, but when i was really poorly some years ago it was worth having.

[andypandyflower]

Untrue. :p If they are on a low income or not earning they can get free prescriptions and dental treatment etc




They have to apply for a HC2 form. CLICK HERE (http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/HC1_form_intro.htm)

Complete the form and then take it from there.


I've applied for form you suggested Thanks very much!!!!

[Rikki]

I've applied for form you suggested Thanks very much!!!!

My son was eligible and he got a grant and loan for university so it is possible.

Nothing ventured nothing gained. :j

[moneysaving pharmacist]

Students are not automatically exempt from prescription charges, though many seem to think they are. They can apply for a HC2 certificate, as has been mentioned above, and if they don't qualify for that then prepayment certificates are an option. You can buy them at http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/ppc_intro.htm

All this assumes you live in England - things are different in Scotland and Wales.

If you think prescription charges and the system for exemptions are unfair, then write to your MP about it.