Help with NHS charges now exemption cert has ended?

graceandowen

Hi
Me and my partner are over the limit to receive the nhs exemption cetificate from tax credits by only £200 for the year.
We have 2 children aged 4 and 5 and to be totally honest, we realied heavily on the exemption cards. I have at least 2 prescription items per month so does the partner, also i have to have eye tests every year due to my mother having glaucoma (Altho I dont qualify for free eye tests as I am not over 40 and at risk ) Also the dentist is another nightmare expence.
To be totally honest we cannot afford all of the above, I have just had to cancel my dentist appointment even tho I have terrible toothace as I cannot afford to go.
Is there anything to help people like us who fall just over the limit??
Thanks for reading

Indie_Kid

Pre-payment certificate if you buy more than 4 items in 3 months or more than 14 in 12 months.

graceandowen

sh1305 wrote: »

Pre-payment certificate if you buy more than 4 items in 3 months or more than 14 in 12 months.

Yep I have seen that 1 hun but that is only for prescriptions isnt it, My other concerns are the dentist and opticians are there any other options for those.
And it really makes me angry as I dont see how this extra £200 is meant to cover the whole caboodle for the year :mad:
Its no wonder people dont tell tax creds about upping there hours etc. I am serioulsy thinking if it would be cheaper for us to cut my working hours so I can get the cert back

betterlatethannever

graceandowen wrote: »

Hi
, also i have to have eye tests every year due to my mother having glaucoma (Altho I dont qualify for free eye tests as I am not over 40 and at risk )

You don't qualify because the risks are so low, so there is no need for a test every year. Every two years if enough until you 40.

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Glaucoma.html

graceandowen

betterlatethannever wrote: »

You don't qualify because the risks are so low, so there is no need for a test every year. Every two years if enough until you 40.

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Glaucoma.html

Yep I know hun but for some reason they like me to go every year for an eye test as my vision prescription changes a lot every year and also am under the hospital for field tests 2 yearly.

Indie_Kid

graceandowen wrote: »

Yep I know hun but for some reason they like me to go every year for an eye test as my vision prescription changes a lot every year and also am under the hospital for field tests 2 yearly.

Do you get eye tests done at hospital too? These are free btw.

graceandowen

I suppose in a way I am frustrated at the current system too,
Me and my partner work hard for a living, we dont get paid much just min wage but have always been proud of the fact that I have always worked and contributed.
I in no way have anything against people who dont work for whatever reason that may be, but I think that the government could do more for us working parents as inlaws and relatives who do not work get more anual income than we do.
I suffer from quite severe PTSD, functional neurological defecit and depression but get no recognition for any of the above as there are no 'organic' causes for my sypmtoms.
I just feel like the whole system is against us somtimes and the medicines that I need will no longer be financially viable for us as we literally have nothing spare at the end of the month

graceandowen

I just have a field test at the hospital and they look into my eyes with the dyes and mircroscopes hun, no sight test like at the optician

funguy

Eye tests every two years is sufficient - especially as you have them checked at the hospital too. Of course the Opticians recommend yearly checks - makes them more money!

Indie_Kid

funguy wrote: »

Eye tests every two years is sufficient - especially as you have them checked at the hospital too. Of course the Opticians recommend yearly checks - makes them more money!

It's recommended every 2 years - apart from those of us with serious eye conditions.

funguy

sh1305 wrote: »

It's recommended every 2 years - apart from those of us with serious eye conditions.

Yes agreed.....but the OP doesnt have a serious eye condition. It is a family history so 2yearly screening in addition to the hospital checks should be fine (unless recommended by the hospital consultant...not the Optician).