Prescriptions

[Eltonsilver]

Hi all, I'm after a little advice. Hubby actually came out of rehab exactly a year after he went into hospital. He is on a lot of medication. Is he entitled to free prescriptions? He gets the enhanced ESA and enhanced PIP. Any advice appreciated.

[Skulls]

Hi Eltonsilver,

Forgive a personal question but is he of a similar age to yourself? If he is over sixty, the answer is yes. One of the benefits of advancing years is that we no longer have to pay prescription charges which is a relief when one has a carrier bag full of them every month. If he is below 60 and the benefits do not qualify him (sorry, cannot comment as I have no experience or expertise), he could purchase a prepayment certificate that would save a fortune over the year.

[Eltonsilver in reply to Skulls]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately he is only 58.

[ABIfamily]

Congratulations on your hubby coming home. A year is a long time!He may be eligible for free prescriptions on medical criteria, or if he needs help moving around independently.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-....

There are other benefits that you may be able to claim eg carer's allowance.

Entitled To has a free benefits calculator, or a social worker (if he has one) or Citizen's Advice may be able to help -

entitledto.co.uk/benefits-c...

Hope all goes well.

[Pairofboots]

Hi, as Skull says age is one qualifying factor. The other is the type of medication e.g. medication for diabetes, thyroid medication, there are others. When it comes to qualifying benefits, then PIP doesn't qualify as it is there to pay additional costs. Others depend on if they are contribution based or non-contribution based. There are some benefits that are referred to as gateway benefits e.g. universal credit, these in themselves may not help directly, but automatically qualify for another benefit that does qualify. This is an over complicated mess that we all struggle with. The Dr should be able to inform you if your husband qualifies.

[Chelle3069]

If your husband is on Income Related ESA then yes he will be entitled to free perscription. If on Contribution ESA then not.

[Eltonsilver in reply to Chelle3069]

He's on contribution ESA, why is there a difference do you know?

[Chelle3069]

I think it's to do with working history but it's only a think and could be wrong. Give citizen advice a call they'll know more.

[Charlie90]

hi there.

I get income related ESA and I get free prescriptions

Hope this helps x

[Eltonsilver in reply to Charlie90]

I think he is contribution based

[Charlie90]

in that case I’m not sure

Here is a link that may have answers for you

nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescri...

Also I believe the headway help line are very helpful.

You could give them a ring and ask them aswell

x

[Sound_system]

Hi

He may qualify for a medical exemption.

Use this eligibility checker:

services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/chec...

If he can be described as having:

"A continuing physical disability

Which means you can't go out without the help of another person"

Then he would qualify for free prescriptions.

Diabetes would also qualify him for free prescriptions.

The medical exemption is regardless of age and financial situation.

Hope this helps.

Taj

[Eltonsilver in reply to Sound_system]

Thank you, I'm going to speak to the gp surgery as he can't go out on his own so would qualify that way.

[socialist_cook]

Your husband may also be entitled to a bus pass. I have one as I am legally not allowed to drive due to my epilepsy and I am 37. The passes are given out by your Local Authority (council), so check with them first. In certain local authorities (such as in London) you can have free transport (through the bus pass) for 24hrs. In others, such as in mine it runs from 09.30am-10.00pm. Anyhow, I'll stop the rant now

[Oppo24]

The free prescriptions (regardless of age) depends on the medical condition I think - I've been on free prescriptions for the past 20 odd years for epilepsy medication so it is definitely worth checking and applying. I also qualified for a free bus pass as I am no longer legally allowed to drive, which is valid 9.30am-10pm.