hc1 form

newbie2013

parents received penalty notice saying no hc1 form at the time so charged.
says if you can prove it was not intentional then penalty could be taken off, but upon calling, they said its the way it works and no can do.

they had dental checkup and was told to sign if they receive tax credit which they do. the surgery ticked the obx and told them to sign.

calling the nhs business office they said they signed it so its their responsibity.

this is wrong - especially for those who don't understand what you need.

any advice on how to proceed or just pay the fee (60 cost + 100 penalty!)

ev8

I just had to pay it.

I was caught out on the change over to ESA, I didn't know I was on CB ESA support group, so was unaware I had to pay or get a certificate as I do suffer extreme confusion, especially when fatigues, I just cannot get a grasp on things.

Anyway, I ended up with a £300 fine because of it, they said they could understand, but couldn't let anyone off of it, no matter if they were not fully made aware.

They did let me pay it in instalments though.

I wouldn't mind, it was for a gum shield I never wanted from the dentist who insisted she wanted to do it as I had free treatment, I told her I didn't want it and I couldn't use it!

newbie2013

ev8 wrote: »

I just had to pay it.

Anyway, I ended up with a £300 fine because of it, they said they could understand, but couldn't let anyone off of it, no matter if they were not fully made aware.

They did let me pay it in instalments though.

Thanks. I suspect they just write that bit on there just for decoration. They will charge the full amount to make money. thieving so-so.... this targets those who have trouble understanding and not those who deliberately scam the system.
Installments? They gave 3 dates and a charge would be met if half, 2/3 and full amounts were not paid.
This is not helpful when parents do not work and cannot afford the fine!

The system is supposed to help people like them, instead, they just make people think that the system is wrong and corrupt!

newbie2013

ev8 wrote: »

I just had to pay it.


Anyway, I ended up with a £300 fine because of it, they said they could understand, but couldn't let anyone off of it, no matter if they were not fully made aware.

yeah, the amount is close to that for them too.... £300 including fine that is supposed to cover paperwork.... what are they printing on?!

pmlindyloo

newbie2013 wrote: »

Thanks. I suspect they just write that bit on there just for decoration. They will charge the full amount to make money. thieving so-so.... this targets those who have trouble understanding and not those who deliberately scam the system.
Installments? They gave 3 dates and a charge would be met if half, 2/3 and full amounts were not paid.
This is not helpful when parents do not work and cannot afford the fine!

The system is supposed to help people like them, instead, they just make people think that the system is wrong and corrupt!

If your parents are not working then what benefits are they receiving? They may meet the exemption for dental charges another way.

newbie2013

they were working part time and got working tax credits, but lost job. I called nhs and they said it does not matter if they work, on benefits, retired - they need to get a HC1 form. no way round it (not that we are looking for a way round - we just want there to be an understanding, which there is not) It does seem black and white. Yes or No...

nannytone_2

the onus has always been on the claimant to check that they are claiming benefits that they are entitled to.

the dentist completed the form, but your parent signed it?

do they not read what they sign?

really not a good idea

newbie2013

nannytone wrote: »

Thanks for that "insight" nannytone.... they asked the dentist who probably just wanted them out of the way.

They asked the dentist and trusted them. They did not read it as english is not their first language, but that is not really the point here.

nannytone_2

newbie2013 wrote: »

Thanks for that "insight" nannytone.... they asked the dentist who probably just wanted them out of the way.

They asked the dentist and trusted them. They did not read it as english is not their first language, but that is not really the point here.

and you expect a dentists to ne an expert of benefit entitlement?

would they go to the job centre for dental advice4?

i do appreciate that english is not their first language ... all the more reason for them to make sure that they know the rules around entitlement

newbie2013

nannytone wrote: »

the onus has always been on the claimant to check that they are claiming benefits that they are entitled to.

the dentist completed the form, but your parent signed it?

do they not read what they sign?

really not a good idea

nannytone wrote: »

and you expect a dentists to ne an expert of benefit entitlement?

would they go to the job centre for dental advice4?

i do appreciate that english is not their first language ... all the more reason for them to make sure that they know the rules around entitlement

look, I came on here for advice , not to be pointed at and said "look this that".
you must appraciate the situation - they trusted the dentist.
The question is the wording of the notice was that if you did not knowingly misuse the system.
they did not. They thought as they were on benefits they were entitled to free dental (as was the case in the past)

If you are not going to give advice, please refrain from commenting

nannytone_2

they did not knowingly claim falsely.

BUT ... they took no steps to find out if they were entitled or not.

to be able to say that they didn't claim knowingly they would need to prove that they had every expectation that they were claiming correctly.

asking the advice of a dentist with regards to benefits does not indicate that they took appropriate steps to try to confirm entitlement