Prescription exemption

ollieandduke

Im currently on cb esa i have to pay for my prescriptions which cost £25 per month. Im just wondering if theres a ny way i can be exempt from paying or do i just have to carry on paying

Pippa_Scope

Hi @ollieandduke, this information is from the Benefits and Work website:

Can I get free prescriptions if I’m on Employment and Support Allowance?

If you qualify for income-related ESA, you automatically qualify for free prescriptions.

If you qualify for contribution based ESA, you might qualify for free prescriptions, depending on what your total household income is or what conditions you need medication for.

ollieandduke

I get cb esa ane pip

Pippa_Scope

Hi @ollieandduke, if you have a look at the page linked above there's loads of great information on various benefits and how these affect free prescriptions. Have a read, and do get back to us if you need any more assistance!

You can also find out more about applying for a HC2 certificate (if you need one) on this NHS Business Services page.

Nystagmite

Pre payment card? They work out at £10 a month.

ollieandduke

What does that cover is it just prescriptions 

ollieandduke

Ive just gone on th nhs business services page and its saying im entitled to free prescriptions but im on contribution based esa so how can that be

Pippa_Scope

Hi @ollieandduke, I've just been having a look into this for you and there isn't a great deal of information online about contribution-based ESA and prescriptions. My understanding is that you should be eligible to apply for a HC2 certificate (on the NHS Business Services page linked above) due to a lower household income, but maybe another member could clarify this for you.

Here is some more information about the NHS pre-payment card mentioned by Nystagmite. I have one of these myself, and they do work out more cost-effective if you have several prescriptions a month! However, I'd definitely advise trying to pursue the free prescriptions first.

ollieandduke

Thank you x

sammyola

I dont get ESA i get universal credit..some people say i can get free prescriptions and others say no ...its soooooo confusing

CockneyRebel

https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/universal-credit.aspx

exdvr

Hi even if all your investigations come to nought you certainly should consider a pre-payment card.  £25 per month is ridiculous.

ollieandduke

Ive applied for a prepayment card and pay £10per month now.
X

deb74

not sure how it works now as i live in wales ansd dont have to pay for my perscriptions, but years ago when i lived in england i was on jsa and taking lots of medication. i had a medical exemption certificate. 

Barbiesnemesis

@ollieandduke Some conditions can entitle you to an exemption certificate where you won't have to pay for prescriptions at all. I have one because I have an underactive thyroid. Might be worth looking into...

ollieandduke

Xx

whistles

I am in ESA one of mine is exempt by the others are free because ESA took over from my IS. 
No idea if income based or contributory. Might ask this when I call them. 

susan48

We are very fortunate in Scotland that prescriptions are free, the whole of the UK should have free prescriptions, especially when someone has long term physical or mental health problems.
If someone is struggling already financially then why put them in a position of having to work out if they can afford medication!!

Susan

whistles

Isn't it a little strange that contribution based ESA is might qualify for free prescriptions. That person has been paying in to the system. 

There isn't two boxes on the exception certificate. I just tick it I had no idea there were two types and i don't know what I am on.
I know what I'm not because they just stopped it. 

CockneyRebel

Be very carefull ESA does not qualify for free prescriptions. You must have an IR element to qualify
If you are on a low income then you shouls apply for an HC2 certificate which does entitle you to free nhs services including prescriptions, dental, optical and transport services

CR