Dental Charges and ESA

onedayiwill

Hi
I'm overdue for a dentist visit and they keep sending me reminders to make an appointment.
I know if you are on income based ESA you can get an exemption from charges.
I just wanted to check - does this apply when you are on the assessment phase? Or only once you've had a WCA and been put in one of the groups?

I'm currently in the assessment phase, and don't want to get stung with a penalty charge by accident...

Thanks

Londonsu

onedayiwill wrote: »

Hi
I'm overdue for a dentist visit and they keep sending me reminders to make an appointment.
I know if you are on income based ESA you can get an exemption from charges.
I just wanted to check - does this apply when you are on the assessment phase? Or only once you've had a WCA and been put in one of the groups?

I'm currently in the assessment phase, and don't want to get stung with a penalty charge by accident...

Thanks

Can you hold off until you are sure, are you on any other income based benefits at the moment

onedayiwill

My only income at the moment is the assessment rate income based ESA. I'm living on that and a small amount of savings.

I'm not on any other benefits (have just had f2f for PIP but I've convinced myself I'm not going to be awarded it).

I've seen some people waiting months and months for an ESA f2f... and they might turn me down. Which is why I'm kind of hoping I can get an exemption of dental charges while I'm on the income based assessment rate.

Londonsu

Sorry I did have a link to the form you will have to sign at the dentist but its broken and I cant get into it I believe the criteria is that you are entitled to free dental treatment if you are in income based ESA at the start of your treatment this link may help
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1786.aspx


So if your are in IB ESA now even if it may change you may be ok but you need to check, do not check with the dentist, they get it wrong and people have been fined as its the patients responsibility not the dental practise


This link has a website on the last page where you can ask
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2017-03/DECS_Patient_Factsheet_%28V2%29_11.2016.pdf

TELLIT01

You don't need to have had the assessment to get help with dental charges. All that is required is that you be in receipt of Income Related benefit. If you are unsure, contact ESA and get them to confirm which you receive.

teddysmum

My dentist receptionist always offers a 6 month check up,but I always say I want a 12 month one, as I can book an appointment if there is a problem before that.

Bananas123

hello,

yes make SURE to tell the dentist of your status and fill out the appropriate form:

you tick the box about being in receipt of esa (same as on back of a prescription).

ALSO, you can get a "HC2" form (they don't give you them if you are in receipt of esa as not needed (i get one if i get ruled "fit for work" etc... as poor)) where you can claim previous cost back / entitlement to free prescriptons etc.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx

> so go get your teeth checked!!!!

...i have bad teeth... (idiot).

TELLIT01

Can't stress strongly enough that dental charges are only covered if you are in receipt of Income Related benefit. It's your responsibility to be sure as the dentist won't know.

Bananas123

I know if you are on income based ESA you can get an exemption from charges.
I just wanted to check - does this apply when you are on the assessment phase?

?

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