Free Prescriptions low income?

Skint_yet_Again

I currently get free prescriptions/eye tests/dentist as I am a single parent on wtc & ctc. However when my son leaves college I have read that I may still get free prescriptions & eye tests due to my recently diagnosed diabetes? I have also read that if you have a low income you can get free prescriptions/eye test & dentist? Does anyone know what is classed as a "low income" ... I can't seem to find a set limit anywhere.

MrsManda

I think what counts as a 'low income' is depends on your household circumstances rather than being a definitive figure.
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1130.aspx

You are right that you will be entitled to free eye tests and prescriptions due to your diabetes (free presciptions are not available if your diabetes is controlled by diet alone).

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/895.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=157

http://www.coleridgemedicalcentre.co.uk/Resources/FP92Amedical%20exemptiona.pdf

166million

Here is the link for exemption criteria on prescrition costs: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx

drwho2011

Skint_yet_Again wrote: »

I currently get free prescriptions/eye tests/dentist as I am a single parent on wtc & ctc. However when my son leaves college I have read that I may still get free prescriptions & eye tests due to my recently diagnosed diabetes? I have also read that if you have a low income you can get free prescriptions/eye test & dentist? Does anyone know what is classed as a "low income" ... I can't seem to find a set limit anywhere.

It will vary dependent on your financial circumstances and you will need to complete a HC1.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018978

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks for your speedy replies I will away and look at those links now.......

166million

MrsManda I somehow didn't see that you'd posted links before me. Sorry if you thought I'd ignored you!

Skint_yet_Again

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/Documents/HealthCosts/LIS_Requirements.pdf

It looks like


Single aged 25-59 [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]£65.45


Lone Parent (any age) [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]£65.45[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Does anyone know if this is the net amount of weekly income they state you require to live on per week after "assessed requirements" and if your income exceeds this you do not get help??
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial]
[/FONT]

MrsManda

166million, don't worry about it - I end up doing it all the time.

Killmark

Skint_yet_Again wrote: »

How claims are worked out

Help is based on a comparison between your weekly income and assessed requirements at the time the claim is made (or the date the charge was paid if a refund is claimed).

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/Documents/HealthCosts/LIS_Requirements.pdf

It looks like

Single aged 25-59 [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]£65.45

Lone Parent (any age) [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]£65.45[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Does anyone know if this is the net amount of weekly income they state you require to live on per week after "assessed requirements" and if your income exceeds this you do not get help??
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]
[/FONT][/FONT]

Its after your core expenses like housing etc and the minimum the state says you need to survive.

I.E you could have a 2 children, a household income of £21,000 (inc benefits) per year but because you have housing costs of say £800 per month you would likely still qualify for all your prescription costs.

Very simplified example but based on someone I know. The HC1 form will let you calculate what your [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]assessed requirements will be so you can work it out yourself.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

KxMx

Any form of diabetes means you can get free eye tests, regardless if treatment is by meds or just diet. If your diabetes is controlled by diet alone currently (you mention a recent diagnosis) then it's quite likely you will go onto meds in the near future anyway which means you will then be entitled to free prescriptions.

The outcomes of HC1 are HC2 certificate (full help with health costs) and HC3 (partial help with health costs). The HC3 does not give free prescriptions and sets amounts that you have to pay towards each item before you can get help. The amounts are calculated by the excess between your income and the amount they say you can live on.

You could also consider a Prescription Pre-Payment certificate if you have alot of items, available in 3 month or yearly cards, and if you opt for a year you can pay by Direct Debit over 10 months.

Skint_yet_Again

KxMx wrote: »

Any form of diabetes means you can get free eye tests, regardless if treatment is by meds or just diet. If your diabetes is controlled by diet alone currently (you mention a recent diagnosis) then it's quite likely you will go onto meds in the near future anyway which means you will then be entitled to free prescriptions.

The outcomes of HC1 are HC2 certificate (full help with health costs) and HC3 (partial help with health costs). The HC3 does not give free prescriptions and sets amounts that you have to pay towards each item before you can get help. The amounts are calculated by the excess between your income and the amount they say you can live on.

You could also consider a Prescription Pre-Payment certificate if you have alot of items, available in 3 month or yearly cards, and if you opt for a year you can pay by Direct Debit over 10 months.

Thanks for all replies...
My tax credit exemption certificate is still valid at present. I am already on medication for my diabetes, but was just trying to work out if I could get free dental treatment once my tax credit exemption ends. Having looked at previous posts it looks like I will be just over the income limit.