Do all claims for free proscription get checked

[Loveandpeace56]

I’ve just realised I’ve not changed by address with the benefit that means I can claim free proscriptions. I’ve just got a free proscription with the new address will this mean I will get a fine as the details don’t currently match?

No, I think it’s around 15% of them. I had a maternity exception years ago and forgot to update my address. I got a fine and explained the situation, so the fine was cancelled.

Thank you for reply did the fine go to your old address or your new one as I’m worried if I get one it may be sent the address I’m no longer at.

Changing your address with the DWP is probably far more important (unless, of course, you're using someone else's address for your GP and prescriptions and still live at the benefits address).

I cost me £27 when I collected DH's medication yesterday, I did wonder...

I also had to show ID because of the nature of the drugs and again, I wondered. Obviously I couldn't prove I was the intended recipient of the drugs, so what exactly are they checking?

I got fined one year after I forgot to renew my prepayment. The fine came about 3 months after I'd picked up the medication, which itself was the 2nd or 3rd prescription I'd accidentally claimed on the expired certificate, nearly a year after it had expired. So it was very slow to be picked up.

Ironically, I did not need many meds that year - it would have been vastly cheaper to pay for each prescription. Now I have a reminder on my phone to check prepayment every year.

No no not using someone else’s address for the gp. I didn’t really think of the dwp my medication is vital for my health.

@Loveandpeace56

No no not using someone else’s address for the gp. I didn’t really think of the dwp my medication is vital for my health.

Well, you need to inform the DWP that you'd moved. You will have much bigger issues than the fine if the DWP think there is something dodgy going on because you've moved and not advised them.

Yes I will now but I more concerned that I might be fined before I have.

@Shinylikeglass

I cost me £27 when I collected DH's medication yesterday, I did wonder...

I also had to show ID because of the nature of the drugs and again, I wondered. Obviously I couldn't prove I was the intended recipient of the drugs, so what exactly are they checking?

Certain medications, such as very strong pain killers, require a record to be kept of who the medication is for, their address and also the name of the person who collected the medication.

You won’t know for a while so there’s no point worrying, in the nicest way! I got fined when I moved house once, into the house before this one so maybe eight years ago? The certificate was valid but the address was wrong. It took them five months to fine me, and I tried to dispute the fine as a genuine error but they insisted it was correct. They did waive the increased fee for paying outside of the first five days, but I had to pay the “original” fine.

Definitely get your address up to date.

I imagine that by the time they catch up with the prescription difference you will have changed your address anyway.

I have an exemption due to long term health condition. I never show my card as they always say it will get checked anyway. I don't know if this is actually true!