Punishment on PIP?

[dembonesDAMNBONES]

A question has just occurred to me...

Once in successful reciept of PIP, are we expected to pay prescription, dental and spectacle charges?

[crashdoll]

PIP is non means tested. Do you mean ESA or universal credit?

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to crashdoll]

I'm currently claiming ESA and DLA and have put in a claim for PIP.

I assumed it would replace one or both of the other benefits.

[charisma in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

In receipt of ESA entitles you to dental costs. Depends where you are, for prescriptions. They are free in Scotland as is annual eye test. You should get an NHS voucher towards the cost of glasses.

[sylvi in reply to charisma]

No it doesn't I am afraid to say you still have to pay prescription fees and dental charges as well.xxx

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to sylvi]

I've found out PIP replaces DLA, so I'm assumomg I'll still recieve free prescriptions.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to sylvi]

Edit, due to Sausage-fingers Syndrome - assuming.

[charisma in reply to sylvi]

Hope you had a good night Sylvi.

It is income based benefits that give eligibility for free treatment or help with cost. Eg Pension Credit; income based JSA or income based ESA. Not sure how Universal Credit works! Xx

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to charisma]

Hi @charisma7aj

Unfortunately, I know from personal experience, last year, that ESA doesn't guarantee free dental treatment, as

I had to pay for a new plate.

Normal circumstances dictate that eye examinations are free only every two years, rather than annually, but I wondered if meds affecting eyesight gave reason for exemption.

[charisma in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

If in receipt of eligible benefits eg income based JSA or income based ESA, it is free check ups, fillings, x-rays. Not sure but I think there’s a scale of contributions for more expensive treatment.

The Gov website is the best place to look. I get free, so far, due to getting income based ESA then Pension Credit.

Rules might vary in England & Wales, and Scotland. Worth checking!

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to charisma]

Thanks, charisma

This adds greatly to the pool of knowledge and will, doubtless, assist many that, like myself, are woefully ignorant of the ins and outs and typifies how far, in fact, from the working-the-system stereotypical views held by the government and, sadly, many of the public are about us, while they fail to acknowledhe the harsh reality that we not only have to contend with our conditions, but also a bewildering array of puniative pitfalls in the benefits system.

[nomoreheels]

I'm afraid so... although I pay an annual prescription fee, saves plenty. Unfortunately PIP doesn't entitle you to anything eye or dental-wise. If you've been on DLA it's replaced by PIP but not ESA.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to nomoreheels]

Luckily, at least insofar as prescriptions are concerned, living in god's country (Lol) entitles me to free prescriptions on ESA.

Thank you, also, for clarifying that PIP replaces DLA.

[nomoreheels in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Ah, I guess you're in Wales? If so prescription charges wouldn't apply whether you were in receipt of PIP or not or income-related/contribution based ESA or not so that particular question is redundant for you.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to nomoreheels]

Wales?

Such sparkling repartee.

Much as I love the valleys, I prefer the glens.

The only drawbacks for me, about Scotland are haggis and whisky.

Note to the offended:

Anyone intent on washing my mouth out with carbolic soap had best be prepared to sit with me and eat quorn sausages and drink vodka, as punishment for losing the battle! Lmao.

[charisma]

Eligibility explained. You need to be receiving income based ESA.

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

[BUDGIEBURDEKIN]

Hi, I applied for NHS exemptions for all NHS charges, the doctors have the form to fill in and if you are successful, the card will last you 5 years.

This is in the UK.

[Hidden in reply to BUDGIEBURDEKIN]

A medical exemption card gives you exemption from prescriptions but you still have to pay for optical and dental exams. You just won’t pay for prescriptions given by a dentist.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to BUDGIEBURDEKIN]

Much obliged, BUDGIEBURDEKIN

We, unlike the rest of the UK, aren't penalised with prescription charges.

We have balloons up here. Lmao.

[BUDGIEBURDEKIN in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Yes UK, but now that I’m ###@ years old ido t need one

[BoneyC]

I have always paid for prescriptions, dental & glasses.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to BoneyC]

Scotland is prescription free, I'm glad to say.

[Matilda_1922]

As far as I know

With prescriptions it depends what medical conditions you have. You can buy a yearly one.

RA isn't one of the conditions that is exempt from prescription charges at the moment

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to Matilda_1922]

Lucky I live in Scotland, so get free prescriptions on ESA.

[weymouth321]

Had my PIp Assessment last week by ? well, she didn’t introduce herself to me and my friend . She confirmed when I asked if she was a physiotherapist. Climbed onto couch on entering the room to lie down all through assessment ( as spend majority of time lead on sofa at home )

I requested ( with a GP support letter ) for a home assessment, due to being kept waiting to go in last time, that subsequently lead to much pain. This was rejected and given 9 am appointment, 2 miles away at the GP surgery. Was granted a taxi there and back. Asked the usual questions , but felt rushed throughout, I referred to my claim form, but she abruptly told me she had already read through it and needed more details. My friend and I both agreed that she was offish the first half of assessment, but rushed through the questions not allowing me to finish answering throughout. Suddenly, at the end, she asked me to mimic her hand movements and asked me to raise my legs, etc. She said takes up to 6 weeks for result.

I rang NRAS as felt dissatisfied , they tell me lots people win on appeal, and not be too concerned. However, have made notes on iPad questions asked and answers + very relevant things I didn’t get chance to say . But yes, I should of asked her not to rush me. On getting outside, I had to sit down on the floor as my back was pretty painful . Went in at 9.15 and out 10 .

So one can claim for taxi fare , make sure you get receipts from taxi driver + Travel Expences Form ( Independent Assessment Services )

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to weymouth321]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience at your assessment, weymouth321 and hope it isn't an indication of the outcome.

Did you post your comment on here by mistake?

[weymouth321 in reply to dembonesDAMNBONES]

Well, unable to remember where to find ‘ new topic “ when posting yesterday ; my impatience, apologies.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to weymouth321]

Don't be daft, there's nothing to apologise about!

I was concerned you might have thought you were replying on another post and been awaiting a response, which I've done myself and thought: Hmmm, either they don't know the answer, or (Heaven's forfend !) they don't want to dignify my question with an answer, because it's glaringly obvious and everyone knows it...except me! Lol.

[Poshcards]

No, these still are paid by you x

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to Poshcards]

I guess the one that's free for me (prescriptions) is the one that costs everyone outside of Scotland the most money.

We're very fortunate.

[Kerensa21]

Not with PIP or ESA support one; only on contribution based ESA. It’s confusing as both come up as income related 🙁

[attatel]

If you're on income based ESA you get free prescriptions etc. PIP is a separate benefit which you should get as well as your ESA, but you can't claim both DLA and PIP.

[dembonesDAMNBONES in reply to attatel]

I'm aware of being unable to claim both, but ESA doesn't exempt me from dental charges and may not cover me for eyesight tests, )if I require them annually) or the cost of replacing spectacles on the same basis.

[dembonesDAMNBONES]

I now know that PIP replaces DLA, which, as a result, informs me that my position, with respect to prescription, dental and spectacle charges basically hasn't changed, although I'll research the matter of exemption from extra costs, regarding the increase in eyesight testing, incurred by at least one form of medication.

This post has also served to remind me how fortunate some of us are, here in Scotland, in being exempt from the punitive costs of the drugs required to deal with our conditions on a daily basis.

My grateful thanks to all for your contributions!

[dembonesDAMNBONES]

Much obliged, Hidden as this will no doubt come as news to not only some already on PIP, but to those thinking of or already claiming it!

Again, things maybe different in Scotland, for example we get free bus passes, once we reach the age of 60.

I think we may also get concessionary rail travel, however, that's someting I'll look into at a later date, or someone may already know the answer, but your latest information is greatly appreciated and could make a vast difference to many with regards to travel, fitness and post operation rehabilitation.