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Why do you have to be on benefits to get concessions on anything and free prescriptions?

NAS62372

I have autism, I have worked for 30 years for s friend of the family, who took me on originally as a favour to my mum, then realised that due to my autism, I was actually good at organising a store room.

 I won't go into detail about my finances, let's just say at the end of the week I have between £8 and £18 spare, I need 3 prescriptions a month because of my autism at a cost of £27, yes I know you can buy a prepayment certificate.

My problem is because I don't claim benefit I don't get any concessions on any thing ( trains, attractions ect)  withoutt the paperwork saying you are on benefit no one will accept you are disabled.

Does anyone know if there is anyway around this, other than actually claiming benefit, which I don't think I would get unless I went to tribunal, and that wouldn't happen with my anxiety.

  • in reply to Eccentric1

    My GP only lets me have one month's supply.  You would have to work it out for the two months at a time when to buy the pre-payment, but even if you had the two months you could still have a month without having to buy the pre-payment. (1 June, 1 August gives four months supply so the next one is due 1 October, saving the same amount.  The savings might not be quite as much as most 'month' prescriptions are for a lunar month, but the principle remains the same.

    The renewal of the pre-payment can be at any time until the prescription is presented at the pharmacy and is valid immediately.

  • in reply to Trainspotter

    You should be able to get two months medication per prescription (two lots of each of the three prescriptions for £27).

    Do not be confused as Wales and I think Scotland actually have free prescriptions but in England we still have to pay.

  • By 'using' the pre-payment system it can be cheaper to buy the three monthly repayment rather than the Annual prepayment.  You can save about fifteen pounds a year.

    If your prescriptions are for a month's supply, all issued at the same time, you would buy a three monthly prepayment to start on collection of the first prescription from the pharmacy.   Then just before the three months was up, you would collect the next month's prescription, ie the fourth month.  You can then get four months from each three month's worth of prescriptions.

    For example, your prescription is due on the first of each month.  So if it was due on 1 June, 1 July, 1 August and 1 September, you could collect on 1 June, 1 July and 1 August.  But September's you would collect in August, a day or so before it was due.  The next pre-payment need not start until 1 October.  The GP will normally issue the (paper) prescription when it is asked for, rather than when it is officially due (unless you are getting a prescription to help you with a drug problem).  So for a three month pre-payment you can get four months worth of prescriptions.  You just have to remember to apply for each one as a new customer, as they may otherwise renew it rather than start a new one off.  I did this for a number of years before I was entitled to free prescriptions.

    Fifteen pounds saving over a year is not a great deal I know, but it is money that you can use for something else that would otherwise have gone to waste.

  • There is something called the Access Card - http://www.accesscard.org.uk/ - which can get you some concessions. You need to provide medical evidence to get it, but you don't need to be in receipt of benefits.

    It may also be asking about a Disabled Persons Railcard - https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/ - my understanding is that with a good supporting letter (or perhaps event an Access Card) they can flex the criteria a bit.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Yep, that prepay card is definitely worth it, I used to get mine for free (tax credits and maternity exemption)  now we get no help my parents bought me a prepay for the year as I have 9 prescriptions every 4 weeks! 

  • The pre-pay prescription for is worth its weight in gold - and if you make sure you get all your prescriptions in the last valid month, you can gain an extra month or two before renewing.  It's about £100 for unlimited prescriptions.   I'm really ill so I probably get through 30-40 prescriptions/year.  The card saves a fortune.

  • Personal Independance Payment (PIP) is not linked with your earnings.   It's rated depending on your physical needs but you might qualify for the base rate (about £58/week) but that would depend on a whole stack of supporting medical evidence - basically you not being able to get around, feed yourself, clean yourself, look after yourself, communicate effectively etc etc.

    There used to be a local authority disability card that would be accepted in lots of places.   Most big (Merlin Group) attractions demand you are on full PIP (you need to take proof with you) or you pay full price.

    Lots of places allow 1 free carer in with a disabled person - that halves the cost if you're going with a friend. 

    PIP is often hard to get with hidden disabilities - I think the NAS offer help with the forms - there's a 'right way' to fill it in.

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