New GHIC health card

[Rigsbysmum]

Hi. My son is 24 and has a variety of special needs. He can’t read or write and has in the last year moved to live in a residential home run by SENSE with six other residents. I have always dealt with his affairs - full time support until he went into the home, arranging and taking to medical appointments, dealing with benefits and getting schools and college placements etc I have also in the past arranged his passport and old EE health card for when we take him abroad with us on holiday. Now I am trying to get the new GHIC card to replace his expired EE card I am having so much trouble. Has anyone else experienced this? I don’t have formal deputyship as not been needed but I am his appointed person and his bills from County and all his benefits are dealt with by me and they acknowledge I deal with his affairs with no issues. For some reason this card requires more evidence than copies of correspondence with these other agencies. Any hep would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Eeviee]

Hi there. I know it may not be helpful in the short term but I would suggest you and your close family consider getting the financial and welfare and health deputyship for your son asap. You may say you have never needed it but I would suggest that you did but that it has not caused you any concern until now because you have not been challenged. I have deputyship for my son of the same age and I never have any problems. I just present the deputyship document which is awArded by the Court of protection.

[Rigsbysmum in reply to Eeviee]

Thank you I think I will do that. Not sure how to start but I’ll look into it. Many thanks

[SpeedyH]

Hi there. I’m assuming that you have applied for a GHIC online and have had an email saying that it has been refused? On what grounds have they refused it?

Going forward, if your son has the capacity to understand that he needs help from you to make certain decisions and can agree to this at a very simple level, you might be able to apply online for lasting power of attorney rather than Deputyship from the Court of Protection. This is far easier and quicker and is free if he has low income and savings. Have a look here

gov.uk/power-of-attorney

[Rigsbysmum in reply to SpeedyH]

Thanks for your reply. Yes online. It keeps saying they can’t deal with me as I’m not the person who made the application. Which I am and have pointed out. I have explained the situation and sent copies of letters from county etc addressed to me but saying as you act on his behalf. I think they’re just people who don’t really understand and unless they can tick a box they can’t move forward. I’m confused now so will need to look into lasting power of attorney too. I’ll see what is required. Thanks

[BenjiB]

Hi

What do you need the card for? My son is the same age, he doesn’t have capacity but I’ve not heard of this card.

Edit: I’ve just looked it up. Can’t you reapply as if you’re him?

[Rigsbysmum in reply to BenjiB]

I applied as him in the first place and did my elderly mums as well as she doesn’t use the internet and my other adult son. Theirs were excepted with no problems.

[BenjiB in reply to Rigsbysmum]

On what grounds have they refused it?

[Head_cook]

Hi, I have found that increasingly with data protection laws this problem is getting worse. So my advice is to go to a solicitor and get a lasting power of attorney for health & finances. As I’ve just experienced this problem and my son needs an operation soon and I can’t give any consent because he’s an adult in his own right so unless I produce the paperwork I have no say in his health care. At the end of the day it’s to protect your son .