prescription help?

rubys_mummy

hi, my daughter has just moved back in with me after finishing uni. i am in receipt of I.S and DLA and my husband is my full time carer

my daughter's just managed to get a job 20hrs a wk so she's only getting a little over £100 p/wk before tax. she's buying her own food and paying her own bills, as well as train fare to get to and from work every day

i just wondered if she was entitled to any help re prescription charges, eye test etc as she is only on a low wage, or would she need to be getting a benefit to qualify?

and before anyone asks, no, there are NO full time jobs round here...she was lucky to get this one, as we live in one of the highest unemployment areas so she's done well to get even this one

System

does she have regular monthly prescriptions ? if so it maybe an idea to buy a pre payment card .

rubys_mummy

no, it was just for when she needs an eye test,dental appt or antibiotics but its such a big chunk to pay out when you dnt earn much!

MissMoneypenny

rubys_mummy wrote: »

no, it was just for when she needs an eye test,dental appt or antibiotics but its such a big chunk to pay out when you dnt earn much!

Look on the freebies board to see who is offering free eyetests. I haven't paid for an eyetest for years and I go every 2 years.

Tescodealqueen

She may be able to claim on the grounds of low income She wil need to complete form HC1, which a lot of GP surgeries hold. More information on the Direct Gov website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018978

p00hsticks

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Look on the freebies board to see who is offering free eyetests. I haven't paid for an eyetest for years and I go every 2 years.

Also, if her work involves her using a computer screen, she may be entitled to claim a free eye test from her employer (She'd need to check with her employer as to how to go about this as different employers handle this in different ways - some may give vouchers for particular opticians, others will handle it thorugh the expenses priocess etc).

rubys_mummy

thanks everyone

i'm going to ring up and see if she's eligible for an HC1 certificate

KxMx

rubys_mummy wrote: »

thanks everyone

i'm going to ring up and see if she's eligible for an HC1 certificate

I think you'll have to have her fill in the forms (HC1) before you get a decision.

The two outcomes are:
HC2 provides full help including free prescriptions.
HC3 provides partial help and no free prescriptions (she would have to pay x amount towards service).

The 12 month Pre-payment card for prescriptions is £104, can pay in a lump sum or by DD at £10.40 for 10 months, so just £2.60 pw (and 8 free!). There is also a 3 month card but have to pay in a lump sum.

If she has no dental problems then she could need a check-up as little as every 2 years accoridng to NHS guidelines, my dentist tried to get me in twice a year, no chance, never even had so much as a filling at 24! Also if she has a NHS dentist the charges are set so you know exactly how much to save (I save for the second band just in case I need something done)

Same goes for eye tests, although I think once a year is probably better. Boots often do £5 tests.

She must save for other things on a low wage, clothes, nights out etc, so no need to say she can't do so for planned dental/optician costs, although obviously never can quite tell when you'll need a prescription. I knew in my first year of PPC I may not hit the 14 items to make it pay, but went ahead as felt having a pre-pay was better. Glad I did as needed 3 extra things that year, this year I was a dozen over!


Good luck with the HC1 I will warn you though I am on IB of £100 odd a week and only got an HC3. As the amount the Government say I can live on is lower than my income, even with extra added on as a disability addition. I live with Mum also and as such my outgoings are less than if I had my own flat etc, so my income compared to outgoings is deemed too high for full help.