help with travel costs

[AMAZINWOMAN]

i need to take my son to the orthodontist regularly. but there isnt one in my county, (due to nhs cuts), just this month im paying £20 to take him there!! its not fair!

can i claim help with travel in any way?
also am i entitled to time off work to take him there?

If you're on benefits you're entitled to have the cost reimbursed, if you're on a low income there's a form to fill in and you will get all or part of your fares reimbursed. Keep your receipts as you can claim in retrospect.

Are you travelling by public transport or by car? If it's by car you'll get reimbursed a certain amount per mile. At our Trust it's a pittance but it varies from Trust to Trust.

I'll try and find a link for you.

I remember when i went to hospital with my dad (who was on benefits) that he went to an office and got his money back there and then, he had to take his benefit book and show the bus tickets.

Help with health costs .

17p a mile here or full bus/train fare
though it usually works out better to take the car.

apparently you only get help if you have referred by gp, as i was referred by dentist i am not eligible!!

Who told you that? The info on the link I gave you says you get help with costs for treatment under the care of a Consultant. It doesn't mention whether who referred you is taken into account.

I used to manage staff who handed out travelling expenses and wrote policies on it, etc, and I can't ever remember reading anything like that. We handed out expenses to patients regardless of how they were referred to us.