Free NHS prescriptions

[redvelvet77]

Does anyone know if the criteria has changed recently?
I've received an email saying I need to start paying for my prescriptions now but my circumstances haven't changed.
I'm a bit puzzled and when I rang them they weren't v helpful!

Are you sure it was a genuine email?

depending on why you get free prescriptions it might just be that you need to apply for a new exemption.

What are your circumstances? It might depend on that.

Mine is that I'm on tablets for life so I have an exemption card.

What criteria do you believe you meet?

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/who-can-get-free-prescriptions/

If you don't fall under the criteria, you could buy a prepayment certificate for about £10/month. Worth it if you average more than one item per month.

Depends why you had an exemption certificate, some you have to renew others are dependent on certain medications

I take anti hypertension medication. Nothing else.
I claim child tax credits and have done for 8 years. Nothing has changed in my circumstances.

how old is your youngest?

8

have you seen who the email is from?
are they advertising a service

Has your income changed? It's not just being on TC, it's your income too isn't if?

For the minute, until you figure out what's what,. You probably should pay.

Maybe you need a new exemption, not sure how that works.

Maybe your income has changed and went over the 15k or however much it is now.

You need to go through the online checker. Receipt of Child Tax Credits alone may not be enough to qualify for free prescriptions.

It also seems to want to know your income, any other benefits you claim, age etc so you'll need to do that yourself.