HC3 (limited help) - how do they work out housing costs, personal allowances etc?

Unity

Hi,

Until June of this year, when the little credit-style card expired, we received the free prescriptions, specs and dental treatment associated with child Tax Credits.

We're on benefits but no longer qualify for Tax Credits, so we applied for an HC3 certificate, however we now receive only limited help with health costs. Leaving us with the first £130+ to pay for dental work :eek:. This seems a bit nonsensical as, our Tax Credits have obviously stopped, so we have less income, but our entitlement has also dropped . In addition since the form covers both of us, does this mean if we both need dental treatment at the same time we both have to pay £130+? That might seem a daft question, but they work out only a single figure for how much extra we have over what they say we need per week.

I have checked the figures and what we declared is correct, my husband just gets basic CA, I receive Industrial Injuries Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance which are all taken into account and DLA which isn't.

My question is - how do they work out housing costs and personal allowances etc.? I have already asked for a new claim form to be sent out as certain circumstances have changed and I mentioned the situation i.e. less money coming in - but conversely less entitlement - however they just said that it's two entirely different systems.

Sorry if I seem naive, but my husband worked full-time until just a couple of years ago when he had to give up because of me, which obviously meant a substantial drop in income, so the Benefits Maze is still fairly new to us .

Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

allydowd

Even if you are working you should ask your dentist or the helpline for an HC1 form. Fill it in and send it back. The HC1 is the name of the application form.

My partner and I both work in Scotland, but are on a low wage, £10000 between us per year and we both got an HC3 certificate sent to us through this scheme. As a result I have just been to the NHS dentist and had a check-up, a hygiene appointment, 5 teeth removed, 3 fillings and a partial denture fitted, all for £24. My partner has had an abcess removed, an old bridge removed, a temporary bridge fitted and then a permanent new bridge fitted, all for £24.

It also means that we have only to pay the first £20 at the opticians.

We weren't lucky enough to get the HC2 certificate which means free, free, free!