Contr. based ESA - PLEASE HELP!!!

cmwilcocks

Hi, wonder if anyone can help me I am very confused with benefits!
I have recently made a claim for ESA which I am now receiving in the higher pay bracket based on my NI cnotributions. Can I now claim for free nhs/dentist/vet bills etc? If I can how do I claim or is it automatic and if not any ideas why and what other help is available.
A bit about me is I am 19 and worked untill this year when I was diagnosed with a very unusual but severe illness; unfortunately due to the nature of the illness it hasnt been known about long enough to be classed as a disability so I am not entitled to a lot which my doctor thought I would be. I live with my partner who works full time and has a mortgage, but he only earns enough to barely support himself. Now that I live with him and cant work our council tax has gone up as he no longer receives single person discount which is 25%
My prescriptions cost at least £40 a month so I am using prepayment certificate quarterly. On the back of my prescription it asks if I receive income based benefit - which I don't - so does this mean I can't tick that box and get them free.
Sorry to go on I'm just so confused and really struggling to pay for everything - I have opticians who won't give me lenses untill I have eye test etc but I cannot pay for eye test and I cannot afford to buy glasses instead! (Also have a cat that needs a vaccination and was told this is free on JSA but not sure if it is free for contr. ESA??)
Any help would be fantastic as I am getting no joy from JCP and they didnt even give me the benefit untill after months of battle I went to see my MP and he sorted it!

seven-day-weekend

AFAIK, contribution-based ESA does not give you free prescriptions etc, but you may be able to claim exemption on the grounds of low income. See the link below:

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Free-or-Reduced-Cost-Prescriptions.htm

NASA_2

You dont get free prescrp. etc on ESA(C).

Oldernotwiser

No benefits give you free vet's bills!

seven-day-weekend

Some Benefits (Income-based JSA is one I believe) allow your animal to have free treatment at a PDSA centre. Or at least this was the case several years ago, afaik it hasn't changed.

Indie_Kid

If your cinome and that of your partner is low enough, you could fill in a HC1 form.

It's possible to get free prescriptions on medical grounds - have you looked into this?

GlasweJen

If you're on a low income you can get an HC1 form from your local doctors surgery/pharmacy/dentist/optician, fill that out and you may get a letter entitling you to free prescriptions/dentist/opticians (HC2 certificate) or one that gives you money off the cost of the dentist/opticians (HC3 certificate) based on your income and necessary expenses (rent and council tax).