Help with prescription costs

[Olderisbetter]

This is another one of those things i was asked about today, I know of an 18 year old who is in kidney failure and is trying to claim PIP but it is going very slow, while they are waiting they have severe money issues and cannot get prescriptions free as they do not qualify as you need to be a student or on certain benefits, I have looked at the NHS Low Income Scheme but it seems they do not qualify, am i missing something or is a person in this position just stuck?

 

[willie.macleod]

Can they get an appointment with the local CAB asap to work out what they are entitled to? What a horrible situation to be in. I believe if it is the case that they need money whilst waiting for benefits to come through then crisis grants may be awarded in the interim. CAB normally best placed to give 1-1 advice.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Can they get an appointment with the local CAB asap to work out what they are entitled to? What a horrible situation to be in. I believe if it is the case that they need money whilst waiting for benefits to come through then crisis grants may be awarded in the interim. CAB normally best placed to give 1-1 advice.

I will suggest this, our local CAB sadly is part time and hard to get into but thanks its an idea

 

[gordon stephenson]

I know its not the perfect solution, But can people still get aN NHS " pre paid " prescription voucher? pay quite a small fee and all prescriptions are free? for the next certain period 6 months/12months etc,

 

[Olderisbetter]

I know its not the perfect solution, But can people still get aN NHS " pre paid " prescription voucher? pay quite a small fee and all prescriptions are free? for the next certain period 6 months/12months etc,

Thats looking like the best option i have just looked and he can buy one from his local chemist as it is registered to sell them, £30 for 3 months i might as well pay for it and say its a Christmas present, its a crazy situation for a young person to be in.

 

[Beeezer]

I know its not the perfect solution, But can people still get aN NHS " pre paid " prescription voucher? pay quite a small fee and all prescriptions are free? for the next certain period 6 months/12months etc,

Interesting, never heard of this…..

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

No real input I'm afraid.

Sore point for my wife is paying for asthma medication. Not like she can't stop using it. It's only breathing...

 

[fizzy]

Wales has free prescriptions - great selling point. The fact the NHS in Wales is so awful doesn't seem to matter
I thought people in England with serious illness etc also had free prescriptions ? I then checked the list. I can see it could be very easy to fall through the gaps!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Wales has free prescriptions - great selling point. The fact the NHS in Wales is so awful doesn't seem to matter
I thought people in England with serious illness etc also had free prescriptions ? I then checked the list. I can see it could be very easy to fall through the gaps!

Yet gender reassignment is funded. :/

Go figure

 

[optima21]

you can get free prescriptions with means tested benefits ( includes elements Universal Credit). if they're not claiming benefits how are they supporting themselves?

 

[Olderisbetter]

you can get free prescriptions with means tested benefits ( includes elements Universal Credit). if they're not claiming benefits how are they supporting themselves?

They have come out of care and suddenly into an adult world they have some distant useless family i live in an area where we try and help out other locals, luckily they are getting accommodation from a nice person at the moment.

 

[optima21]

if they're 18 and not in education they may be able to claim universal credit, although I think care leavers often have support workers to help them. if they can get a med cert from the doctor they would be able to claim though being sick (so not expected to be looking for work). if the do claim it'll take a month before they receive their first payment but they may be able to ask for an advance payment when they have had the new claim interview.

 

[Olderisbetter]

if they're 18 and not in education they may be able to claim universal credit, although I think care leavers often have support workers to help them. if they can get a med cert from the doctor they would be able to claim though being sick (so not expected to be looking for work). if the do claim it'll take a month before they receive their first payment but they may be able to ask for an advance payment when they have had the new claim interview.

It is weeks since they claimed PIP at the moment social services and DWP seem to be running way behind, one of the issues is they have gone from child services to adult services which has not helped.

 

[rikrobson]

Free prescriptions in Scotland for all.

 

[optima21]

It is weeks since they claimed PIP at the moment social services and DWP seem to be running way behind, one of the issues is they have gone from child services to adult services which has not helped.

PIP can take between 2 and 6 months normally. I think its done faster if its terminal cancer though..... I think this thread is more that just free prescriptions, they need to be looking at supporting themselves on a day to day basis, hence claiming universal credit.

 

[gaz1]

from my knowledge they should be able to claim it whilst there claim is going through

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

but theres also prepayment method as well

theres also low income as well well via the nhs

@optima21 fyi

the claims make no difference they will still take the same amount of time

if they stop the pip claim they will need to start a new claim for universal credit and then back date it

its really that much of a headache

best off contacting local mp as the condition can be terminal due to kidneys

 

[dobbslc]

Free prescriptions in Scotland for all.

So some pizz head can ruin his own liver and get everything for free but an 18 years old in England in real trouble gets nothing?
In my book that's discrimination!

 

[James1979]

I know its not the perfect solution, But can people still get aN NHS " pre paid " prescription voucher? pay quite a small fee and all prescriptions are free? for the next certain period 6 months/12months etc,

What I used to do. If you have at least one per month you break even

Not a good situation for him

 

[JMS1972]

Free prescriptions in Scotland for all.

Not free paid, for by all UK tax payers.

Part of the joys of devolution.

We pay for your plastic parliament, higher education and prescriptions.

You provide wee Willy Kranky to tell us how crap it is being part of the the Union.

 

[optima21]

@optima21 fyi

if they stop the pip claim they will need to start a new claim for universal credit and then back date it

its really that much of a headache

what are you talking about? Universal Credit and PIP are separate benefits, they can both be claimed at the same time or separately. A PIP award is normally backdated to when the claim is made. You can get backdating for up to a month on a Universal Credit claim, but its unlikely that it will be given. If you claim Universal Credit and are then successful with a PIP claim, the award for Universal Credit may increase.