Penalty charge notice from NHS. Help please?

betterlatethannever

Hi
Quick background... On ESA for two years then onto JSA for eight months...finally back into FT work in mid April 2014.
Had a dental appointment in early May 2014 and, as I'd only been in work a few weeks and was awaiting WTC, i ticked that i was in receipt of Tcs and,,therefore, the dental treatment was free.

It seems i was wrong and that WTC doesn't entitle you to free dental treatment. Now i have a letter from NHS charging me £111 (£18.50 for dental visit and £92.50 penalty charge) :eek:
Theres no way i can afford this and it was a genuine mistake.
Does genuine 'ignorance' work in these cases?
I'm more than happy to pay the dental charge, but the penalty is excessive for me.


I honestly thought i was entitled to free dental care :A

(just to add that the letter i received says i declared that i was receiving ESA, this i dispute as i would never have deliberately lied. I think the receptionist may have ticked that boxed as she knows its the norm for me)

Really appreciate any advice here.
Thank you

[Deleted User]

ignorance im afraid doesn't help,they may allow you to pay over a couple of months if you ask nicely

John_Clark

If you have made a false declaration on a form to claim a benefit you are not entitled to, then you should not be surprised about getting penalised

betterlatethannever wrote: »

I think the receptionist may have ticked that boxed as she knows its the norm for me

If you are putting that forward as a defense you need to be a lot less vague about it. Did she or didn't she? and can you prove it?

tomtom256

Did you get an exemption card and letter with your award?

Doesn't matter who ticked it, you signed the declaration, if YOU didn't check it or know you were entitled YOU are at fault.

SeduLOUs

The declaration on a prescription/dental form is very clear in stating that if you aren't 100% certain whether or not you are entitled to free treatment then you should pay for the prescription and can claim for a refund if you later confirm that you are entitled to free treatment.

I'm not sure why you would think you would be entitled to free treatment when working full time, but you knew your circumstances had changed substantially so you should have paid and checked later.

Hard lesson learned I'm afraid.

SeduLOUs

blondebubbles wrote: »

Someone working full time can still get free treatment. It depends on the circumstances.

The criteria for the tax credits exemption certificate is:
- tax credits to be based on an income of less than £15,276
- receive working and child tax credits or
- working tax credits only with disability element or
- child tax credits only.

Perhaps I should have said I don't know why you would "assume" you are still entitled when now working full time. Such a dramatic change in circumstances should have triggered OP to check before making any declarations.

dippy3103

I'm confused. First you stated that you ticked the box that said you get tax credits and later on you said the receptionist ticked that you were getting ESA. Which one was it?

Does the form say you have a right of appeal?

Computersaysno

So let me see if I understand this.......


You say you ticked the box.


Then you say the receptionist might have ticked the box for you


You're trying to blame the receptionist for ticking the box that you would have ticked yourself??