19yr old daughter and prescription charges

Luna51

Hello everyone 

Can I possibly ask the experts here..

My daughter turned 19 in March, she is in non advanced College full time.
I still get Child Benefit for her, plus the child and disabled child elements of Universal Credit 
(I know UC will end for her on the 31st of August after her 19th birthday)
She gets PIP and both enhanced rates. 
She does not have any of the medical conditions on the list that automatically make her exempt from charges. 

The dispenser at my local surgery told me my daughter should still eligible for free prescriptions, I'm not convinced so I insisting on paying (as the possible £150 fine for getting it wrong isn't worth the risk!) 

Has anyone else been in a similar position or know if she should be exempt, from what I have read, it seems not. 

Many thanks in advance 😊

Luna51

Hi @woodbine

This would be really helpful as she has just had a new medication added in and regularly has steroid creams etc for eczema, I was tallying it all up and thinking this could get expensive!
Thanks for the info! 👍

poppy123456

As she's still classed as a dependent because you're still claiming the child element of UC for her then she will continue to be entitled to free prescriptions. see link.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions/hwhc-universal-credit

Luna51

Hello @poppy123456

Thank you so much for replying, that's really helpful to know, and very much appreciated 😊

Luna51

Hi again @poppy123456

Can I ask you a question once more regarding this as I have had conflicting answers from our local pharmacy staff. As my daughter is named on my claim for UC, do we tick the new exemption box (on the back of the prescription form) for UC or will she still be classed as being in education?
I wish it was clearer, I just cannot seem to find a definite answer!

Thank you so much 

poppy123456

No, you don't tick that she's in full time education because she's 19 and this doesn't qualify her. She qualifies because you're claiming UC with her named as a dependent, therefore you tick "claims UC" which is box U.

See link and scroll to "aged 19" https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-help/aged-19-and-under

Do be aware that your child element for her will end on 31st August 2022, even if she remains in full time non advanced education. Child benefit can continue until the day before her 20th birthday.

Once your child element ends she will no longer automatically be entitled to free prescriptions. You can fill out a form for the NHS low income scheme. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Luna51

@poppy123456
 
Brilliant, thank you.. 

It had me baffled, as they said she was classed as still being in education!
But she's clearly not 16,17 or 18! 
I can clear it up for them (the pharmacy team) now as well 👍
Thanks again.. 

poppy123456

It's very confusiing. I had the same problem when my daughter was 19 but i claimed tax credits at the time. The pharmacy weren't helpful and didn't really know. I ended up ringing the NHS health costs helpline and it was them that advised me that because she's named on my tax credits as a dependent then this would qualify her. The same rules apply to UC.

Luna51

I can imagine, nothing is simple is it @poppy123456

I am readying myself to battle (I mean claim) new style ESA (credits only) for my daughter next, as our UC entitlement ends on the 31st August.. And she wants to stay in education 

I had a lengthy conversation with an advisor over at Contact who seemed absolutely dismayed at the fact that this government seems determined to exclude disabled students from the benefits system (namely, Universal Credit) which sadly does not surprise me at all..
Oh well onwards and upwards, I am determined if nothing else! 

Take Care..

And thank you again.. 😊