Nhs prescription fine

Boltontrotter3

Hi. I've received a fine for claiming free prescriptions, when I thought that claiming Job Seekers Allowance made me exempt from charges

HumberFlyer

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance...YES
• Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance... NO

• Don’t run the risk

  It’s your own responsibility to check that you’re entitled before claiming free prescriptions. If you claim free prescriptions that you’re not entitled to, you could have to pay a penalty charge of up to £100.

Alderbank

New claims for Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance were abolished about 10 years ago.

I assume the OP is in England or Wales? In Scotland we don't fine anyone for claiming free prescriptions. The NHS should be free at point of delivery.

In E&W the policy is that only people on very low incomes should be exempt from prescription charges and JSA is not means tested. JSA claimants can legitimately be multi-millionaires owning cars, private planes, yachts, etc. (although I don't think many of them are!)

-taff

Prescriptions are free in Wales.

-taff

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase/article/KA-25779/en-us

Toonie

If you are on New Style JSA you are not exempt, however, you can apply through the NHS low income scheme for help.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme