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NHS BSA Penalty Charge Notice - can they be overturned if I am on JSA?

Hi,

In May of this year I was hit by an NHS Penalty Charge from the NHS BSA (Business Services Authority) due to attending a dentist's appointment and claiming receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance a few days before my claim properly went through. This requires me to pay a total of £156.30 to the NHS BSA.

I managed to work out an instalment plan to pay £15.63 a month over 10 months, but due to being on Job Seeker's, I still can't afford to pay this amount when there are other necessities that I would really rather have the money go towards. For this reason I just did some research, which led me to this post from a user on this forum:
He [the OP] can claim a refund of any charges paid for up to three months.

[can't post links, search for NHS Low Income Scheme page on NHS BSA website]

Those in receipt of IR JSA do not need to apply as they have already been assessed to receive the benefit.
The part in bold is especially what I'm curious about - does this mean that if I let the NHS BSA know that I am on JSA, it would be possible for me to have my 7 payments since May refunded and to be able to stop paying further instalments? Is there any way at all this can be done?

May was a stressful time, so off the top of my head I can't remember whether I officially appealed, but I do remember making a phone call as part of which it was agreed I could pay in instalments - but I don't recall mentioning JSA as part of this phone call unfortunately.

I'd really appreciate any help in advance.
Thank you

Comments

  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 17,108 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Are you saying you stated on the form that you were in receipt of JSA when you were actually in the process of claiming but the claim hadn't been finalised? If so it's potentially fraud. Are you in receipt of Income Related or Contribution based JSA?
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,655 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Hashim1 wrote: »
    Hi,

    In May of this year I was hit by an NHS Penalty Charge from the NHS BSA (Business Services Authority) due to attending a dentist's appointment and claiming receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance a few days before my claim properly went through. .

    My added emboldening points to your issue. Check with the DWP their record of the start date of your claim. If it is before your dental treatment you could have appealed the penalty.

    I can't advise you about the likelihood of receiving a refund of any sums already paid, Sorry.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 17,108 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    Doesn't the form say something like "Are you in receipt of....."? If it does there is no grey area as the OP was not 'in receipt' of a qualifying benefit at the time of the treatment.
    If it was as vague as 'have you applied...', everybody would do so the day before they had treatment even if they knew they would have no entitlement once the claim was assessed.
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