Why the hell do peeps on Incapacity Benefit have to pay for prescriptions?

Question

I'sn't this Drug dealing on a National scale?

We are not second rate citizens

Val: The Incap and Income Support is the same claim form and I've been informed that my incap is MORE than I need to live on and that is before I have to pay my Council tax, rent top up and now £6.85 per item prescription charges. Pity they don't look at realistic outgoings!

Answer 1

Seems crazy to me too - the people who needs meds most don't get any help with them xxx

Answer 2

prince, you have no idea what it is like to live on incap. sometimes you have to make a choice between heating or food. Its not at all like all the so called know it alls say it is at all.

elric, check if any of your medication qualifies you for a medical exemption. also, find out who is actually paying you. some incap claims are payed by income support, in which case you can claim free scripts that way. I know this sounds strange, but you would have had to fill in all the incap forms, but for one reason or another you may not have qualified for that particular benefit. IS will pay the people who don't qualify the same rates. it might be worth your while giving them a call.

Answer 3

The whole system is the pants Elric. I was lucky when I was on Incapacity Benefit because I got my prescriptions free anyway because I take Thyroxine for an underactive thyroid. That warrants free prescriptions! It's the same system which taxes pensioners pensions - disgusting. We could all walk around with our teeth falling out and not able to see because of having to pay for the dentist and the opticians at extortinate rates too.

Answer 4

I thoroughly agree with you!!! I recieve Incapacity and Disability and will be on medication for the rest of my life. I have my prescription renewed every 3 months and with 4 items every 3 months it's a lot of money. I had worked since leaving school and was never out of work until my injury. My friend does not work and hasn't for 17 years and gets everything paid rent council tax prescriptions free uniforms free school meals the lot it really pi**es me off. I have to pay but drug addicts dont !!! It's a Mad Mad world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

whilst u cant actually claim free prescriptions4being on incapacity u shd be able to claim for being on low income, ask yr pharmacy if they have a form (the one i used to work it handed them out to people ) or contact yr local PTA, meanwhile if u need a prescription keep the receipt in case u can claim back for any thing u have spent. I think the form is called HC1 but im not 100% sure

Answer 6

Get form HC1 - I'm sure your income is below the level of 'having to pay' -then tick the back of the prescription where it says 'are you exempt?'
or it may be cheaper to have a short break in Wales and get them over here -have you got your bus pass -not with age but with incapacity ?

Answer 7

Contact the prescriptions pricing authority (PPA) who will send you a form to fill out and ask for proof of your income (or lack thereof).

If you have very little income it is likely that you will not have to pay for your prescriptions.

The form is title "Help with health costs" and is a means tested award.

Answer 8

You can buy a years prescription for around 100.00 pounds. Ideal if you have loads of tablets/medications. I deal with pharmacists as part of my job. I hope you find the links helpful and informative.

Answer 9

Yup, I'm with you on that one, I have to pay for mine. Have you thought about buying a prescription pre-payment certificate? It is a little under £100 and then all scripts are pre-paid.

Answer 10

If you do have to pay get your GP to do double scripts. i.e. for 2 months or get apre paid certificate which is helpful if you are on 4 or more meds. Good Luck