Cant afford my meds and the doctors say there's nothing we can do and the NHS says the same ,I need help

[Tissot1]

My question is I need help my husband has had medication for 12 years for is heart as it runs in the family heart attacks, now my tax credits has stopped they say I have to pay for them ,I have no money my wife works part time she cant afford heres or mine doctor says there is nothing we can do and the NHS says the same I dont no what to do ,thanks Jeanette,

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Has anybody suggested a prepayment certificate?

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-pres...

[Dawnr59 in reply to Milkfairy]

You can pay monthly for pre payment card

[Tissot1 in reply to Dawnr59]

Hi yes the doctor told me this but I told him I can't afford this as both of us needs are meds and I don't have spare money at all at the moment thanks

[Tissot1]

Hi yes they have but I still cant afford them ,

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tissot1]

I am sorry you sound as though you are between a rock and a hard place.

Have you contacted Citizens advice for help?

[Tissot1]

No not yet but I think I might have to. Thanks for your help

[Smarticus]

Hi, strangely worded question? could you speak to the job center, or I would suggest the CAB. Make sure "they - the government, not the NHS" have the correct financial numbers, check with an on-line calculator like entitledto.co.uk/ to double check HTH

[Catatvet05]

If you don’t mind me asking, are you on universal credit? If you are, then you should be able to get help? Go to .gov website to see other options or speak with the job centre. Take care

[Tissot1 in reply to Catatvet05]

No I don't get any benefits just work part time thanks they say I earn to much

[Catatvet05 in reply to Tissot1]

Gosh, so sorry. I think you could seek advice from Advice Bureau as mentioned in someone else’s post or Shelter? They may be able to point you in the right direction? Even try your local council, maybe?

[Tissot1 in reply to Catatvet05]

Thank you for your help I will take your advice and look into it thanks

[Calliope153]

Free prescriptions if you have a low income.

If you have a low income, you may be eligible to receive financial help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

To apply for an HC2 certificate, complete form HC1, which is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or most NHS hospitals. You might also be able to get an HC1 form from your doctor, dentist or optician.

You can also get an HC1 form by calling 0300 123 0849.

You qualify for a full help HC2 certificate (which includes free NHS prescriptions) if your income is less than or equal to your requirements, or your income is greater than your requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

You qualify for a limited help HC3 certificate if your income is greater than your requirements by more than half the current English prescription charge.

The HC3 certificate shows how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

Certificates are usually valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme

[Tissot1 in reply to Calliope153]

I don't no what they class as low income. they said I earn to much.1000 a message month which I pay all my bills rent council tax every thing I have no money left .thanks

[trudy83 in reply to Calliope153]

Hi Calliope is right, I have just renewed my HC2 certificate it last for 12months then you reapply, on what you are taking home, you should qualify, don't forget that your wages are supporting you and your husband, so you should be getting help. I also think you would get your wages topped up with universal credit. You can apply for that online, go to gov.uk. hope this helps.

Goodluck

[Tissot1 in reply to trudy83]

Thanks for that .I will look into this.jeanette

[JennyRx in reply to trudy83]

You can also get HC1 forms at most pharmacies - we keep them where I work primarily for students. Whilst we’ve never been able to find the cut off for an HC2 - it’s kept very secret - but it’s about £15k but it depends on your outgoings too.

[Calliope153]

It is your gross income they count - not the net income (the money you take home each month). It used to be below £15 650 per year was counted as a low income

[Tissot1 in reply to Calliope153]

I only get 12000 a year so why are they saying to much.thanks

[Catatvet05 in reply to Tissot1]

Take a look at this link. It seems you would be eligible if you earn less than 16k per year. And as you have mentioned, no other income from savings, etc.

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

If your income exceeds, you still are part entitled to support. I’m not sure who you have spoken to but I believe your are.

Information from government website 👇🏼

...If your income exceeds this limit, you may be entitled to partial help. Your certificate will show how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

The rules governing who's eligible are broadly the same as those for a means-tested benefit. But the assessment also takes into account council tax and housing costs, so you can get help with health costs even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit

[Tissot1 in reply to Catatvet05]

Thanks for that I have filled in the forms again as we got refused why I don't no my income is only 12000 a year so I filled it in again .thanks jeanette

[chevidaniels28 in reply to Tissot1]

I will add that they do make a ton of mistakes on those applications, I have had my applications refused three times before I asked for it to be escalated by a manager and reviewed and it was accepted. This year I have gone to reapply and same issue they keep rejecting it the system is really badly flawed. Based on what you earn it sounds like they are refusing it when they should not be, I would push for a review and make sure you send them

In your three months payslips what they ask for. The scheme has really helped me and but boy it was difficult to get the exception certificate, the low income scheme is terribly run.

[Tissot1 in reply to chevidaniels28]

Thanks for that I will take your advice and do that thanks again jeanette

[Calliope153]

and they will add in any income from a partner and savings interest

[Tissot1]

My husband gets nothing and no saving.thsnks

[Petercat1 in reply to Tissot1]

Hi.Sorry but I do not understand why your husband gets nothing? If he is unable to work due to illness, surely they would class him as a dependent and you would get a reduced rent because of it, or if not working due to illness surely he would get Job Seekers or whatever it is nowadays? Plus on your low wage why aren't you getting housing benefit? Hard for us to say as we don't know your full circumstances. You should go to Citizens Advice definitely as they would have all your financial details and be able to advise you.

[Calliope153]

Benefits are also added in...... if your partner is in receipt of benefit or earns that will push you over the line

[Tissot1 in reply to Calliope153]

No my husband gets no benefits.no housing no nothing all we have is my wage .thanks

[Petercat1 in reply to Tissot1]

Sorry but there is more here than we can help you with. I still don't understand, if your husband isn't working for whatever reason, why doesn't he get something, unemployment benefit or disability benefit, help with rent etc.As I said you need to go to Citizens Advice as they will get you to give them a list of all your income and outgoings and advise you accordingly. We can't really help much as we don't have all the details.

[Calliope153]

fill in the form but ask Citizens Advice to help you

[Tissot1]

Thank you again for your help jeanette

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

If your husband cannot work because of his health condition he should be entitled to ESA (Employment and Support Allowance). If he choses not to...

The CAB is a good starting point.

[Tissot1 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your advise I will look into this

[Derbados]

Your circumstances have obviously changed somehow if at one point you successfully claimed tax credits and now you don't. So what has changed?

I think the best people to advise you are the benefits agency and the CAB, as previously advised.

If you drink or smoke, maybe take this as an opportunity to stop. The amount of people I have known who say they have no money and then splurge on drink, smoking, drugs and takeaways is surprising.

Hope you manage to sort it out quickly.

[Tissot1 in reply to Derbados]

My son is 19 now and off to university so my tax credits have stopped.so now I don't have enough coming in .thanks for your advice.

[Aliveanswe11]

Sign up for your meds to pay monthly all your meds you need for £10.59 per month the chemist sort them for you you pay by direct debit worry sorted talk to your chemist

[Tissot1 in reply to Aliveanswe11]

Hi thanks for your advise.

[Merlin22]

Hi

Not a nice place to be in... I think getting Citizens Advice maybe the first step?

The important part is obviously your partners health.... I’ve pasted this in from NHS .... it’s possibly not the answer but it may help just for the short term.

3 months at Approx £30? It may get you the time you need to relieve a little bit of the stress ...and to try and find a solution.

I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

When I Personally was off work This at least saved us some money as I was on 5 prescriptions per month.

Take Care.

Copied from NHS So beware of E&O.

There are 2 PPC options to choose from:

The 3-month PPC costs £29.65 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months

The 12-month PPC costs £105.90 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year

How much can I save?

If you need:

2 items each month – you can save £113.70 with a 12-month PPC

3 items each month – you can save £223.50 with a 12-month PPC

4 items each month – you can save £333.30 with a 12-month PPC

There are several payment options available. If you choose the 12-month PPC, you can pay for this upfront, or by 10 monthly direct debit instalments.

[Tissot1]

Thank you for your help.

[LaceyLady]

Maybe look through this BHF see if there is a contact to help you. [phone] is a help line number for BHF

[Tissot1]

Thanks. were would I find there number to ring

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I am in receipt of esa which was based on my contributions when I was working, which was over three years ago, it's not means tested, it makes a huge difference to me, as like all women of my age, 61, we can't get our state pension till 66 now, I only have a small private pension, at least I have that, but esa is definitely worth applying for, I would take the form to citizen advice they are very helpful, we are lucky in Scotland that none of us pay for prescriptions, the whole of the UK should be the same, our drugs are lifesaving, I hope you can get the help you need, take care char

[golfgod]

Get a pre paid plan I pay under 11quid a month,,dont like too but it's a kebab n chips each month.sooner miss that than my meds

[Auiron]

Cheap & Free Prescriptions

22 ways to slash the cost of prescriptions & medicine

moneysavingexpert.com/famil...

The only way to raise extra income is to go to the very many websites that allow you to build up cash to be paid into your bank account or alternatively provide money off at very many stores both by foot fall or online. These sums are small ranging from 40p to about £5-00 a week on average.

Microsoft Rewards is one which pays me in vouchers about £3.00 per week. Fortunately I never forget a day and join in everything offered - time spent, once you have the knack, 3 to 5 minutes a day. YouGov is another that pays cash. There are very many but a need to search the net for hours to find suitable ones - what is simple for one person may be difficult for another: So it is one's own call on this. At the moment I make about £170.00 a week though some are in Canada, America, Australia and Hong Kong - there are difficulties but doing some hard work overcomes these.

I enter competitions in very many countries with about 25% on stock market platforms. Entering share competitions and the best success was A$1,000 on an Aussie website last year. One website on crypto currency pays per post with bonuses - not easy this one and being adept in wallets and switches is needed. Plus One crypto can be obtained on ADVFN.com and if you search very hard, not for internet wimps, there are very many openings in the 500 or so cryptos.

Keep trying hard on the above as one thing leads to another. There are millions of people out there posting interesting leads on thousands of websites. In Hong Kong they tend to be very helpful and rarely just post in Cantonese.

Good luck - it's always up to ourselves to get out of trouble, providing of course that our health allows this.

[Trog1]

Hi there, like yourself, I have to have quite a lot of meds since the shock discovery of a genetic heart condition which also lead to emergency triple bypass surgery in May 2019. I was really concerned that I would have to find money for between 6 and 8 different repeated medications I need every 8 weeks. After research I discovered the cheapest (and only) way around it for myself is to buy an annual prescription prepayment certificate. This costs £105.90 for the year or £29.65 for 3 months. I know it’s still quite a lot to find but saves loads of money on the individual costs as, if I paid the £9.15 for each prescription I have to have, it would cost me around £475 a year - so the certificate saves me about £370 annually. I do hope this helps you and empathise entirely with your plight. Take care and wishing you all the best.

[jerry12953]

It looks like you need to go to Citizens Advice. They will know the correct procedure to claim what you are entitled to. A friend of mine went to their MP and he defintely got things sorted for her!

[Lincoln410]

Hi Tissot1 have you signed up for prepayment for meds it can reduce the cost hugely

[EctopicAnnie]

This is terribly stressful ,l really do feel for you.Iknow this is isn’t helpful but in Wales andScotland prescriptions are free ,and reading accounts like yours makes me think that this is a more humane way of going about things.l do hope that you manage to sort it out.