prescriptions

Sigur wrote: »

Students don't get free prescriptions.

Untrue. 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

Complete the form and then take it from there.

Rikki wrote: »

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.

Sigur wrote: »

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!

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.