Tax credits exemption certificate

[BooseysMom]

Hi, we were posted tax credit exemption certificates last year so that we were able to get free prescriptions. Only I was earning as DH was unemployed. Then DH worked for a few months and we declared all this and were sent a tax credit renewal. Then DH was out of work again so we declared this and were sent an update and decision based on this but it stated it was NOT a final decision. We were not sent exemption certificates. The dentist and gp and optician asked if we were on working tax credits and we said yes. They said you get free prescriptions. They didn't ask to see exemption certificates. So I guess I'm worried are we actually able to claim free prescriptions? Dh is out of work, my salary is £7k. But they haven't sent exemption certificates! Confused! Please help!
Thank you.

When did your tax credits renewal fir last year get finalised?
I get 2 certificates a year, 1 to 30 April, next to 31 Oct.
30 Apr one is sent around mid-Oct so continuous cover.
But 31 Oct one isn't sent till after I've renewed my tax credits (because I don't qualify based on my HMRC reported salary, but do after deducting pension contributions), this is always Jul as I need to wait for information to finalise the figures.
I completed my tax credits renewal a couple of weeks ago, had the tax credit paperwork last week but haven't had the prescription exemption certificate yet.

Although I should qualify during this period, I don't have a valid certificate and wouldn't claim.

Oh, and my dentist asked this time, we went on 28 April and certificate expired on 30 April.

@Chasingsquirrels.. thank you for replying. They sent the amended one on 3rd Sept last year and we had a salary above £15k in that one. Since then DH was out of work again and we declared that but were not sent a certificate. So I don't know. It must be because TC work in arrears so it's only based on last year's income but what about now?

You should have a renewal which should be completed by 31 July, they usually come out in around May time.
Have you not had this? Usually if the figures on the renewal are correct there is nothing to do and then then finalise the claim, but you always need to check them.

Do you have the app so you can see your tax credits? I'd not I'd recommend should get it (HMRC app).

Do you have the app so you can see your tax credits? If not I'd recommend should get it (HMRC app).

Yes we've got the app. I gave up phoning them ages ago.We received a renewal last Sept and I renewed online. It got complicated when DH lost his job then had another one for a few months but we updated it all online

@Chasingsquirrels.. Sorry just found the other renewal papers. We received the annual review with the red line across the paper to be renewed by 31st July. We did this online and I have a reference number. They sent other letters since, a provisional one and a final one, but it has mine and DH's joint income on it for last year and doesn't mention him now not working so i' don't know what's going on now! Thank you for your help

Ok, update! Sorry to go on but it looks like the online renewal went through ok and it's being processed and will be complete by end November. It was based on what DH was earning last year and has that it's only me working. So that's all correct. It's the fact that I'm still not sure if we are able to claim free prescriptions
Thanks again

Hmm, when did you get the post renewal paperwork?
For me the exemption always takes a bit longer than the tax credits side - presumably has to work its way through the system.

Good point! Just checked and the dentist was June and July and the glasses was May. Can't remember when docs was but was only one prescription
Thank you.

If you phone them up and you're still entitled to it they'll give you the code on your new certificate. I've done this before when we still hadn't received ours.

@TheCanyon.. thank you. I'm just worried that we're not entitled and then they'll know and we'll get in trouble!

Having not been concerned that mines not yet turned up, I've now had a prescription issued by the GP so was googling it.

Came across this services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-my-nhs-exemption/start

With my details it says I'm not entitled (presumably because they haven't had the information through from my tax credit renewal yet).
Not sure who I'd call though, will co ti up goggling.

Also nhsbsa-live.powerappsportals.com/knowledgebase/article/KA-04785/en-us says "As long as you meet the exemption criteria, your Tax Credit award notice can be used as evidence until your certificate arrives."

@Chasingsquirrels.. thank you for this. You're a star!

I was told if you do not have a certificate you cannot claim free prescriptions. It doesn't matter if you have tax credits you need the actual certificate. Apparently they go on your last year's Income for the April certificate and this year's income for the October certificate.
Call 0300 330 1347 and they will be able to tell you if a certificate has been issued

@NotTodaySatanNotToday.. thank you. I could be I trouble then. I'll have to call them but they'll prob write to say what's happened won't they?

In Oct I didn't receive a certificate and was due to pick up a prescription so rang to see if I had one and it had gone missing. I was told there was no certificate but it to pay and get a receipt and I could claim back if the certificate was delayed. I'm guessing as its July you would have had one by now so I would ring and check.
You don't get a certificate due to being on working tax credits, your yearly income must be under a certain amount the year previously to get a certificate from apr-sept.

It's not a very helpful system. When the doc. or dentist asks you do you have to pay and are you on working tax credits I have answered yes not realising there's a threshold and they have accepted that without asking to see a certificate! So I was totally unaware!
I'm assuming it's based on last tax year's income which was more as DH was working but now he's unemployed again and that's why i thought we'd get an exemption certificate.