Prescriptions - Which box??

LiquidStool

Hi,
I've moved from income support to ESA due to a change of circumstances.  Whilst i'm waiting for an exemption certificate due to long term health conditions, what box do i tick on the prescription in the meantime?
Many thanks

calcotti

What type of ESA are you on? If you have only just moved from IS I would expect you to have have needed to claim Universal Credit rather than ESA unless you receive a Severe Disability Premium. If the latter then you will have been able to claim income based ESA.

If you are on Income based ESA then you tick that box.
If you are on UC you tick that box - or f the prescription form is an old one and there is no UC box you can tick the income based JSA box.

Spoonie_Turtle

LiquidStool said:

Hi,
I've moved from income support to ESA due to a change of circumstances.  Whilst i'm waiting for an exemption certificate due to long term health conditions, what box do i tick on the prescription in the meantime?
Many thanks

Is it income-related ESA? Box H. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/FP10%20toolkit%20%28V1%29%2001.2020.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwid8o2pjpTuAhUyoXEKHVHkBFUQFjACegQILBAM&usg=AOvVaw3-OP9KmMqssNjsqgG0rMMi (PDF, page 9)

If not, there's no exemption for contribution-based or New-Style ESA. If your exemption certificate should cover the time period when you pick up a prescription but you're still waiting for it, make sure to ask for a refund receipt, FP57 
(https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs)

Edit: if it's not income-related ESA, have you checked eligibility for Universal Credit? If your income is below a certain threshold (about £900-odd per month with your ESA status transferred across, or if you have a child) you would be eligible for free prescriptions.

calcotti

https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/revised-prescription-forms-with-universal-credit-tick-box-to-be-introduced/20207607.fullarticle?firstPass=false

Spoonie_Turtle

(Oops, cross-posted with calcotti!)

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle said:

(Oops, cross-posted with calcotti!)

I was editing while you posted! Often happens - not an issue.

LiquidStool

Thanks for your replies guys.  I'm on IR ESA.  You are correct, I have an SDP and was an unpaid carer, getting IS, when i stopped caring 30+ I was moved to ESA.

calcotti

LiquidStool said:

Thanks for your replies guys.  I'm on IR ESA.  You are correct, I have an SDP and was an unpaid carer, getting IS, when i stopped caring 30+ I was moved to ESA.

In that case it should be easy to see the relevant box.

poppy12345

It's box "H" which was the same box you ticked when you were claiming IS.