Jobseekers allowance and dentist

hemophobic

I haven't been to the dentist in about 5 yrs which is bad I know but recently one of my teeth has been really sensitive. I am on jobseekers allowance at the moment, will they be able to help with dentist costs?

newbutold

If it's private dentist you will have to pay yourself, however if it is an NHS dentist then you will not have to pay anything.

MrsManda

Are you claiming JSA income based or contributions based?
If you are claiming income based then you will be entitled to free dental care from a NHS dentist.

If it's a contributions based claim and you haven't got an entitlement to income based then you don't get help with dental costs. Though you may be able to under the low income scheme.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Dentalcosts.aspx

epitome

MrsManda wrote: »

Are you claiming JSA income based or contributions based?
If you are claiming income based then you will be entitled to free dental care from a NHS dentist.

If it's a contributions based claim and you haven't got an entitlement to income based then you don't get help with dental costs. Though you may be able to under the low income scheme.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Dentalcosts.aspx

It's my understanding that although you have an underlying entitlement to IB but are being paid C, you cannot claim free dental by ticking the box on the form that you are in reciept of IB - because you aren't. If you are on Conts your only option is to use the HC1 form.

It's slightly different for mortgages because you can insist on a JSA3 after 3 months to enable you to start receiving JSA IB to help with mortgage payment. This is what a mortgage DM at a Benefit Centre told someone to do, the jobcentre initially refused to issue the JSA3 but in the end it was issued and the claimant got the help they were entitled to.

hemophobic

I think it is income based, I get £56 something per week. I am not registered with any dentist at the moment. How do I know which ones are nhs ? And do I have to tell them about jsa when I phone up?

epitome

They both pay exactly the same (with some exceptions for deductions)
You need to read your letter or phone up the benefit centre and ask them (not the jobvcentre) which one you are getting.

SuziQ

NHS Choices can tell you NHS Dentists in your area that are taking on NHS patients currently.

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=dentist

missapril75

SuziQ wrote: »

NHS Choices can tell you NHS Dentists in your area that are taking on NHS patients currently.

And you may have difficulty finding one close by.

But the difference in not paying (or paying NHS rates when working) and paying private rates can be big enough to cancel out the inconvenience and costs of getting to a less convenient NHS dentist.

If you have to travel across town, even taxi fares can make it worthwhile.