In debt but very thankful...

klairbear

regards the medical:

mum is on a prepayment certificate so thats £10
there is denplan fees as well - £60 - we have all been cursed with problem teeth and it works out better through denplan (plus no NHS dentists taking patients in this area at the mo!)

myself and sister both have chronic asthma and so get inhalors each month. i talked to my doctor because my asthma was getting worse and he gave me another prescription. said i was struggling so he has ensured that i get two months worth on one, which has helped loads.

mum has all benefits she is entitled. she has been diagnosed with parkinsons recently so her entitlement may change, waiting to see consultant before reassessing.

have though about the dmp, having talked to cab. two of the loans only have 18 months left, plus mum will then be elligable for pension so will have more money to throw at the rest

i am only working part time (25 hours) so am looking for part time to supplement earnings and then can claim working tax credit

wattapain

Do you not receive free prescriptions?
I thought you all should have exemptions if you are on benefits or on regular/permanent medication.

klairbear

i know 7 years will hopefully be reduced!

lthe tips have been great so far!!

in the short term - will reduce entertainment, hair cuts, groceries, phone/internet, mobile, digital tv and clothing

will sell 'junk' from my house - i have lots of ornaments, unwanted gift etc
plus cd's, dvds...

am due some money in the next few weeks so will be able to clear the store card in full (highest apr) and start on the next one (have used snowball calculator which has helped loads)

forgot to write that i have managed to clear my overdraft too!! have reduced it to £100 emergency and have so far not strayed!

klairbear

wattapain - we aplied for reduced costs/free health care costs (HS1 form i think). mum is not considered 'ill' enough which is ridiculous!

saying that her condition has changed so will be reassessing in the future.

i could go on prepayment certificate - was hoping my health would improve though!

Deep_In_Debt

As others have said, with the help from here you can reduce the term of your debt. I was told in January it would take me 9 years to clear my debts but with the help of this forum I've managed to reduce it to 6 years since then, so it can be done!

wattapain

But if you are receiving certain benefits eg income support then you automatically qualify.
In your SOA - you list 'benefits' - what is this?
Also there is a list of medical conditions which qualify for prescription exemption - have a look at the websit - I googled prescription exemption.

klairbear

disability living allowance and council task benefit. not entitled to income support as recieves my dads private pension as a widow

meerkat2007

Regarding prescription prepayment certificates, I saw something on TV a couple of weeks ago that I thought was really useful.

You can get certificates for 3 months or 12 months (£27.85 and £102.50 according to a Department of Health leaflet published 31 March 2008).

The programme I saw recommended getting a 3-month certificate: at the start of the 3 months, get 3 months' worth of medication, and then, just before it ends, get another 3 months' worth.

Then you can let it lapse (I assume this is ok), and just before your second 3-months' worth of medication ends, get another 3-month certificate and do the same again.

In theory, you could pay 2 x £27.85 (£55.70) for the full year's medication, as opposed to £102.50.

Thanks to Dominic Littlewood and daytime TV!

klairbear

thats a great tip meercat, thankyou


and thanks to all who have taken time to post :beer: