NHS exemption certificate delays?

loisamelia

Has anyone else experienced problems with recieveing the NHS low income exemption certificates this year?
Mine ran out on 30/6 and I would normally automatically get a new one, from tax credits I guess. I know there has been huge delays with the tax credits renewals this year and mine still hasnt been processed so I guess thats why I havent recieved a new card yet. However, I need 3 prescriptions this week and its gonna cost a fortune!

As a side, does anyone know how long it takes for the medical exepmtion forms to come through? I am on lifetime medication for hypothyroidism and should get free prescriptions for life but havent applied as we currently get the low income expemtion. But now after this delay with the new card I am realising I should just get the MedEx sorted.

Thanks in advance

loisamelia

Unfortunately I dont have an up to date tax credits award yet as our renewal hasnt been processed. I'll take the renewal info and see if that works.
Thanks for the link

[Deleted User]

I have a tax credit exemption card (mine did come through on time) and I tend to go to the same pharmacist. Am rarely asked to see proof of exemption even when I go to a new pharmacist.., so I'd advise (as long as you are sure you will still be exempt) to go to your usual pharmacist, tick the box saying you have exemption and they probably won't ask to see proof.

Sncjw

I'd apply for the medical exemption because they last for 5 years. I'm on levothyroxine for hypo and I get this. You can still get the low income thing too. Are you sure it's automatic. I'd just apply by form. To apply for the med exemption you need to go to doctors and get them to fill in form. You can just ask at reception. I didn't know which box to tick for the reason as it was unclear. My doctor did this. As I didn't have the card there the pharmacy next door just asked to see the form and then I handed back to the doctor. See if you can do this to get your meds.

Sncjw

You can ask for low income form from doctors too and fill it out.

loisamelia

Thanks, have filled in the form at my doctors this morning. Can you remember how long it took for the card (or whatever you get) to come through?
I think the low income card usually comes through automatically via the tax credits people, have never had to fill in a form for it, it just appears! Hopefully!!

chinagirl

Can you get freed prescriptions if yr epileptic?

no.1swimmum

Hi loisamelia I can't remember exactly how long it took for my exemption card to arrive after applying but think it was around 2 weeks, it certainly arrived before I needed to fill my next prescription. I hope that yours arrive soon

Orange_Candle

While you are waiting, ask for a NHS receipt for any prescriptions that you need. You can then use this to claim the money back as long as they are less than 3 months old.

pogofish

chinagirl wrote: »

Can you get freed prescriptions if yr epileptic?

Full info here:

http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/free-prescriptions#.U9K8cW0pCDg

Almost-free

My medical exemption card came through in less than a week, if that's any help.