Prescription charges / benefits

[dawnhaycock]

My daughter has server difficult to control asthma which started when she was 17, over the last 11 months she has been so poorly she has missed lots of college so she is unable to do her second year as she does not have enough learning hours to continue. She has just had her first mepo injection and seems to be doing well but she is also still on 20mg steriods. The problems start when she gets down to about 6mg which is a few weeks away. She did get an apprenticeship but then was dismissed after taking time off sick. She is 18 in 2 weeks and we have decided it might be best to wait a few months until her health is more stable to try working again.

Once she is 18 she has to pay for her prescriptions i think ? Can anyone advise if the annual certificate is best of if she indeed needs to pay. Also, do you know if she can claim any benefits. She does have a bar job but only for a couple of nights a week on minimum wage.

[Hidden]

See if you can get pre paid NHS card. I am claiming JSA which is means I do not pay. But NHS card might be the best option but double check with your local DWP what if your daughter can claim any DWP money. Good luck

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Prepaid card. It’s £104 a year or £10.40 for 10 months. It’s worth it’s weight in gold. I hope things start to calm for her soon.

For benefits advice it’s worth a visit to your local CAB... they’ll be on the ball with that

Also may be worth getting a blue badge if she finds walking distances a real trigger. I have one (took a while to make myself apply) and in very cold weather it’s literally been a life saver/hosp avoider!

[WindsweptRissa]

If your daughter is on a low income she may be entitled to assistance with prescription charges through the low income scheme.

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-w...

[RD23]

I have the prepaid card that EmmaF91 mentioned and it’s brilliant! If it wasn’t for this I’d be spending about £50 a month, if not more on prescriptions. Definitely worth it!

[Minushabens]

I agree with what the others have said. Whilst I totally support AsthmaUK’s campaign around free prescriptions, until such time the prepaid certificate is a very good deal. I think my monthly charge would be between £70-100 without it.

[dawnhaycock]

Thanks for your comments, i have now completed a HC1 form to se if she can get free prescriptions