help with hospital travelling costs

lil_me

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018959

http://www.nhs.uk/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.aspx

Yes, usually they can claim milage if using a car. It would go off what miles it is from their house to the hospital, no cover for whoevers driving to collect them. Here it was 14p a mile last time I took someone who claimed it, she was an OAP and entitled to free buses but couldn't go by bus so I assume that it would be the same where you are. Info is on there about claiming for previous appointments aswell.

SuziQ

These days many hospitals don't repay the expenses themselves,you have to claim through the government via HC5 form. You fill out a form,add receipts if you have them,they then write to you to confirm your claim but then write to the hospital to confirm your attendance. I have been waiting for payment since 19th August-ridiculous as I have been 5 times since then! Hopefully the hospital yur mum attends will do it direct.The cost of hospital attendance is prohibitive these days with high fares,petrol charges and outlandish car park charges. It really is a tax on the sick.

Oldernotwiser

jackieb wrote: »

I was going to take her in whatever. Dad's getting on and although he does drive, he's not so good as he used to be, plus winter's coming in, and I wouldn't want him driving if it's icy. I mean money's the least of our worries right now, but if she's entitled to anything I think she should claim it, as it costs about £15 in petrol for each visit.

Thanks for all your replies.

£15 for petrol to drive 80 miles? Are you driving a tank?

jackieb

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

£15 for petrol to drive 80 miles? Are you driving a tank?

Not quite - it's a 2L automatic. The bus fare for a single adult is £14 return (but as I said my perents have a free bus pass).

Oldernotwiser

jackieb wrote: »

Not quite - it's a 2L automatic. The bus fare for a single adult is £14 return (but as I said my perents have a free bus pass).

I'm still confused; I drive the same and it wouldn't cost me anything like that to drive 80 miles. (Don't see where the bus fare comes into it.)

jackieb

Well, by the time I got up to the hospital it would be nearer a 90 mile round trip. I don't know why, but that's what it costs me. No motorways here - lots of slowing down to drive through villages - I don't know. I drive at a steady speed. Maybe because I normally never have less than 4 people in the car when I go anywhere.
I thought £15 was not too bad when you consider the only alternative, which is the bus. It's cheaper taking the car if there's more than one of you.