NHS fine. I didn't realise my certificate had expired. Can I pay for other treatment before further fines arrive?

[Florencerex]

My tax credits NHS Exemption certificate expired several months ago. I had no idea, it's been sat in a drawer. I thought I had a valid one but apparently my income has crept up over the threshold for qualifying for one and so I simply don't have one. I claimed for one free eye test and two lots of dental treatment, I really thought i qualified. Nobody told me I didn't and I was not asked to show my certificate again so it stayed in the drawer.

Yesterday I got a fine in the post for the first lot of dental treatment. After a few phone calls to the certificate people and tax credits I realised this was totally my fault for not knowing the certificate had expired, (In my defence I received the certificate at a very difficult time, partner had just left us and I'd just started claiming benefits).

My question is who can I phone to try and prevent fines arriving for the sight test and some more recent dental treatment? I'm waiting for the Dentist manager to ring me back, if ringing the practice doesn't work who else can I try?

[Florencerex]

(I'm still getting the Child and Working tax credits I just didn't realise that wasn't enough to qualify)

[fruitpastille]

This happened to me when I forgot that my maternity exemption had expired and collected a prescription without paying. My pharmacist was really nice and helped me sort it out. He emailed me a letter from the pharmacy basically saying it was their fault and I forwarded it to the NHS fine company and it was all resolved.

[Florencerex]

This is my fault though. I can't blame anyone else

[fruitpastille]

Mine was my fault really! Just lucky to have a lovely pharmacist.

[Florencerex]

I've either got to fix this or wait for two more £100 fines to arrive which I really can't afford to do, let alone the stress. I was already anxious and stressed before this latest slap on the wrist.

[OUwhatnext]

I had this too, luckily only one fine for a dentist check up, I had no idea that the income threshold was less than the tax credit threshold, but still my fault! I was told that ticking the tax credit box triggered the fine, so you may not be able to stop them. Phone the number on the first fine letter, explain, apologise and offer to pay the treatment cost, it's worth a try.

[Florencerex]

I've already paid the first fine and treatment cost. I did that as soon as I realised I was at fault.

[savingshoes]

Search "NHS England" I think that's usually who you contact.

[OUwhatnext]

Sorry I meant to try and pay the other 2 treatment costs instead of the pending fines. I still had to pay my fine too, but I paid it in 4 installments.