NHS Penalty Charged for Job Seekers Allowance (New Dentist/Wrongly Informed)

kylemj

I'm looking for some advice on a situation I've encountered with a recent dental visit and a penalty charge notice (PCN).

On April 15th, I went to a new dentist for a checkup. When filling out the patient form, I indicated that I claim Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). At the reception when I went to pay, I was informed that I did not have to pay for the treatment.

However, I recently received a PCN stating that I now have to pay a £100 fine and a £20 treatment fee. This was a complete surprise, as I was told at the reception that JSA claimants get free treatment. I did not intentionally make a false claim.

I've contacted NHS BSA to understand and resolve the issue but didn’t receive any help. I also spoke to the dentist's reception, and they still believe that JSA claimants get free treatment.

Currently, I have no income since my JSA has run out, and I'm due to start a new job next month. Until then, I'm without any income, and this fine is causing me a lot of stress.

I today contacted the dentist and she was still advising of this which I explained to her what has happened to prevent similar issues.

Has anyone else experienced a similar issue? Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

kaMelo

New style JSA is not means tested so doesn't qualify. The old style income related JSA does, maybe that's the confusion.

HillStreetBlues

With the penalty charge you are classed as being solely responsible even if you only claimed because of bad advice.
 

poppy12345

It is your responsibility to make sure you're entitled before ticking the box. 

tacpot12

Your dentist doesn't know what sort of JSA you are claiming, and are not experts in benefits, so they are not really qualified to give you advice, so should not be advising you. You might ask them to pay the fine for you. I would suggest that this shold be a loan and be repaid when you are back in work. Alternatively, you could ask them for a contribution to help you pay the loan. You should make it clear that they are not admiting laibility if they help you out. 

frayedknot

It would have been helpful if the DWP didn't give 2 different benefits, with different entitlements, the same bleeding name. I'm sure a lot of people make the same mistake. Still at £100 a pop it's a nice little earner.

HillStreetBlues

frayedknot said:

It would have been helpful if the DWP didn't give 2 different benefits, with different entitlements, the same bleeding name. I'm sure a lot of people make the same mistake. Still at £100 a pop it's a nice little earner.

It is confusing as even DWP letters don't make it clear what type a person is on.
Once everyone is moved from the legacy benefits then it will be clearer in some way, but less clear in others.

Murphybear

frayedknot said:

It would have been helpful if the DWP didn't give 2 different benefits, with different entitlements, the same bleeding name. I'm sure a lot of people make the same mistake. Still at £100 a pop it's a nice little earner.

This subject pops up regularly on here