Any experiences of getting help with health costs ( NHS HC1 form) please?

Walda_Wild

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Have you thought about a season ticket for your prescriptions?

I have heard about season's ticket for prescriptions, I shall investigate about it, if not entitled to anything different.

Thank you.

Walda_Wild

sheramber wrote: »

Have you seen this link https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

There is a helpline you can contact for help with the form.

Thank you, Sheramber, I found HC1 form through this link.

I guess i can give them a call if I have questions filling it in.

Walda_Wild

Spoonie_Turtle wrote: »

That's understandable, however the descriptors also take into account how long it takes, whether you can things reliably and repeatedly whenever you need to, whether you need any aids to help (including needing to sit or take breaks), etc. Of course, you may still not qualify but I advise looking into it thoroughly before discounting it. These links might help:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/3-prepare-and-cook-meal/
https://pipinfo.net/
And here's the guidance that explains how they assess according to the descriptors: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

If you have already looked into it thoroughly then please accept my apologies for assuming otherwise :embarasse it's just over on the Benefits section of the forum we find lots of people aren't aware of all the aspects of PIP, and wrongly assume they wouldn't be entitled to anything.

No need to apologise, Spoonie, thanks for your input.
I know where you are coming from when saying that one can underestimate their eligibility to PIP.

I found out myself when went through forms with my clients whilst working for CAB some years ago when PIP was DLA.

The criteria has however changed since, and not for the better, especially for people with mental health problems, whose poor health symptoms often do not manifest themselves in obvious ways.

Spoonie_Turtle

Walda_Wild wrote: »

No need to apologise, Spoonie, thanks for your input.
I know where you are coming from when saying that one can underestimate their eligibility to PIP.

I found out myself when went through forms with my clients whilst working for CAB some years ago when PIP was DLA.

The criteria has however changed since, and not for the better, especially for people with mental health problems, whose poor health symptoms often do not manifest themselves in obvious ways.

Fair enough. PIP does account for mental health problems in that if you need prompting to do things otherwise you'd forget / not have the motivation / get distracted / otherwise can't complete the task independently, or if it takes you longer to do things, etc. It also does account for (severe) difficulties planning or undertaking journeys due to mental illness, not just physical mobility problems - but that one is a very high threshold. Anyway, I'll shut up about it now!

Walda_Wild wrote: »

I have heard about season's ticket for prescriptions, I shall investigate about it, if not entitled to anything different.

Thank you.

They are prescription pre-payment certificates, which save you money if you need 4+ items in 3 months, or 12+ items in a year.
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs

suejb2

Walda_Wild wrote: »

Did you mean - carer's allowance? I am not being cared for or care for anyone myself, so not quite applicable, I am afraid.

Sorry , you’re right, carers not careers allowance. My dad claims them as he has ongoing conditions. They’re worth applying for.

Walda_Wild

suejb2 wrote: »

Sorry , you’re right, carers not careers allowance. My dad claims them as he has ongoing conditions. They’re worth applying for.

Not to worry, I figured it from the context anyway.

I am surprised he gets this, as i have always thought it was a prerogative of someone who cares for one with an illness.

Walda_Wild

I eventually phoned NHS Low Scheme Income help line to find out if it's even worth taking time filling out their form.

They said to go for it anyway, as call centre people are not assessors.

What mainly bothers me is that they surely would regard our household income as potentially good enough to cover my medical bills. However why assume that a partner should cover another's medical needs?
Especially if they themselves in debt and have issues of their own.

I find it very odd, having known people who live literally like neighbours together. Am I being wrong?

McKneff

I think its pretty normal to assume that a partner should cover the others medical needs. Why shouldnt they. ?

Its either that or the needs are met by tax payers and why should that be.

Spoonie_Turtle

The general assumption is that a couple's income provides for the couple, but if your medical expenses are excessive relative to what's left after necessary outgoings* then that's what the security net is there for.

*And that's what the decision is, ultimately.

Make sure you do mention somewhere on the form about being in debt, especially if needing to cover medical expenses would keep you in debt or even increase it. (I do not know if this is definitely a factor they consider, but logically the whole point of assistance is to help people survive without going short of money or into debt!)

suejb2 wrote: »

I have no experience of the forms you talk about, however, can you claim for careers allowance or attendance allowance?

Just to clarify any confusion in the thread, Carers Allowance is for people providing at least 35 hours of care each week for someone else, and the person being cared for must receive a qualifying disability benefit. Attendance Allowance is only for people over pension age; the equivalent for people of working age is PIP
(However someone can be disabled themselves and still provide care for someone else, particularly in the form of supervision or prompting.)