prescription charges for carers

ironystar

Please can anyone help? I am a full time carer for my 88 year old mother, who lives alone. I have very bad eczema and see a dermatologist on average every month. I come out with a prescription each time for about 8 items, all of which I need (i.e. moisturizer, bath additive, shampoo, steroid creams, gels, ointments, antibiotics, etc). As my husband works, we do not get income support but these prescription charges are horrendous! I am doing the best I can by buying a prepayment certificate but neither I, my local DSS, nor the chemist can tell me if I am entitled to free prescriptions.

oldMcDonald

Unless you / your husband are on a low income and are claiming WTC, then I can't see that you will recieve any help / exemption. Your husbands wages will be taken into account as part of your income, I believe, so you yourself won't be considered low income if your husband isn't - if you see what I mean.

cattie

If your husband is on a low income you may qualify for help with prescriptions & other nhs items. You'd need form HC1 for this.

Glyndwr_2

You can pick up an HC1 at (some) Job Centres, chemists, doctors, dentist, hospitals etc. Some will just look at you like you're not speaking English and have no idea what you're talking about or just say they haven't got any because they don't know what you're talking about.

You can also apply for an HC1 form here and you should receive the form and a pre paid return envelope. You can not download the form anywhere or fill one in online.

Whilst you're applying get receipts for any prescriptions you buy so you can claim them back if you get help. I'm sure the form says what you need to do.

If you can't get help, have you tried asking for greater quantities each time. I can normally get 3-6 months worth in one go, except for 'controlled' drugs & those which cost over £100/month.

Also look out for the HC11 for which has a blue cover & is the size of A4 folded into 3. This explains a bit about entitlements.

If you've got a current prepayment certificate & you find you're exempt, I don't think you'll be able to claim your money back.