Prescription charges for young person unable to claim UC

[TravellingSpoon]

DS is turning 18 soon, and is moving on from special school to a specialist college for 2 years (as a day pupil).

From what I understand, he cant claim universal credit as he will still be in FT education, and I am supporting him. He has quite a few prescriptions (11 across the day). Is there a way of applying for an exemption certificate, or is the only way to avoid paying so much to get a prepayment certificate and pay monthly?

There’s a strict list of who gets free prescriptions so if he doesn’t fit into that criteria then he’ll have to get the prepayment card.

You can still claim UC for a child in full time education up till aged 20- and prescriptions should come under that. It’s worth looking into otherwise a prepayment prescription is better.

I would assume he is exempt until he turns 19 because he’s in FT education.

He should be OK until he's 19 (Ds2 is the same age and on a 3 year course in his special school and will likely move on to a specialist college, himself, so we're in the same boat) but yes, I believe he will need a prepayment certificate after that if he regularly has more than one prescription per month.

Isn't there still a 'low income scheme' for NHS prescriptions which either provides them free or at a reduced rate. I've not looked into it recently but almost all university students had an exemption based on income via this scheme.

When he's not eligible anymore, get the pre-payment certificate. I pay about £10 a month and it's an absolute steal if you have multiple prescriptions.

You could look into the possibility of an HC 2 certificate - you need an HC1 form to apply. It's for those on low income. Some unis students are eligible once they turn 19, but I don't know if it would work for you.

Tick the '16, 17 or 18 and in full time education' box.

Incidentally, you'd have to get a move on, but if you can get fit notes to state that your DS is unfit for work, then you can ask for a 'Credits only ESA claim' and if he is deemed to have Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity, then he (you) can apply for universal credit in his own right, as long as he has been deemed to have LCWRA before he starts his new course.

Have a look into the HC2 form , if eligible it covers healthcare, dentist etc.

I dont claim UC or Tax Credits at the moment so cannot continue to claim.

I think his epilepsy medication will be covered by an exemption certificate from what I have read.

Helpfully linked to at the bottom of this page. I can't see how it would apply for Ds2, though. I can't speak for OP

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

Thank you, I will look into this.

If he has epilepsy, he’ll be entitled to free prescriptions for everything, not just his epilepsy meds. Ask your gp for a form, it’s very straightforward.

I work in the NHS, I agree with the above.

If he doesn't have any conditions that comes under the exemption list for free prescriptions then the prepayment certificate is absolute value for money.

You can check if he's eligible for free prescriptions by filling out this form here;

https://check-for-help-paying-nhs-costs.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/start

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/living-with/#:~:text=Free%20prescriptions,to%20get%20an%20exemption%20certificate.&text=Epilepsy%20Society%3A%20what%20help%20is%20available%3F

I was in the same boat as you for DD2.

She went to a specialist college after special school, and as it's full time education she was exempt from prescription charges until 19.

However your son will be exempt as he's on anticonvulsants.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-have-nhs-exemption/medical-exemption-certificates

If he’s got epilepsy then he will get all his meds free with a medical exemption exemption certificate ….fill out the form at the gps