NHS Prescription PCN?

purple_pixie_2

Hi everyone
Was hoping for some advice.
I received an NHS Penalty Charge Notice from the NHS, claiming that I had claimed a free NHS prescription between 26th and 31st March, and they were not able to confirm I was in receipt of benefits.
The charge is:
Prescription £17.60
Penalty charge £88

I starter my UC claim mid January but did not receive my first (and only) payment until 22nd March.By this time I had literally started a new job and this payment was backdated .When I ticked the prescription I was technically still claiming UC even though I did not receive any more payments.
Do I appeal this or should I pay? I didn"t mean to do anything dishonest and I would gladly pay the amount for the prescription now.

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

I'm afraid that "technically" claiming UC is not the same as receiving it, you will probably have to pay the prescription charge and the PCN.

calcotti

To qualify for a free prescription you need "to receive Universal Credit and either had no earnings or had net earnings of £435 or less in your last Universal Credit assessment period
or
b) you receive Universal Credit, which includes an element for a child, or you (or your partner) had limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA), and you either had no earnings or net earnings of £935 or less in your last Universal Credit assessment period."

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs-for-people-getting-universal-credit/

What dates did your UC payment cover?