Are students entitled to free medication with the HC1 form?

A couple of my mates told me that they get free prescription medicines, free eye tests and free dental treatment, when I've been paying all year for them.
I went to teh doctors today and asked for the HC1 form, and they looked at me funnily and said there's no such thing. I felt dead stupid, but I'm sure there is a such thing as a HC1 form.
Anyway in google, I found it and just applied for it, having no idea what it was.

Can students over 18 get free medication and checkups?
Is the HC1 form the right one to apply for?

Love BlueAngel xxx

Reply 1

Kingspharm

10

Yes, use the HC1 form, and if you are eligible then they will send you an HC2 certificate.

This website tells you more about the system:
http://www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/low_income.htm

Reply 2

AngelofnoColour

OP

14

cheers babe. Heres some rep. :smile:

Reply 3

yawn

17

BlueAngel

A couple of my mates told me that they get free prescription medicines, free eye tests and free dental treatment, when I've been paying all year for them.
I went to teh doctors today and asked for the HC1 form, and they looked at me funnily and said there's no such thing. I felt dead stupid, but I'm sure there is a such thing as a HC1 form.
Anyway in google, I found it and just applied for it, having no idea what it was.

Can students over 18 get free medication and checkups?
Is the HC1 form the right one to apply for?

Love BlueAngel xxx

Students do not necessarily get free medication and dental checkups. It is means tested.

They take the Student Loan into account, whether you are paying for your own accommodation and student fees etc. If your disposable income is over a certain (very meagre) level - you pay for the above!

Reply 4

AngelofnoColour

OP

14

yawn

Students do not necessarily get free medication and dental checkups. It is means tested.

They take the Student Loan into account, whether you are paying for your own accommodation and student fees etc. If your disposable income is over a certain (very meagre) level - you pay for the above!

how do they know your disposable income? I dont even have a job yet and my student loan has run out.

Reply 5

yawn

17

BlueAngel

how do they know your disposable income? I dont even have a job yet and my student loan has run out.

The usual time for claiming exemption from these costs is at the beginning of the uni year. The Student Loan is meant to provide an income from year to year.

It could be that you might have entitlement for a very limited period if you are not yet doing vacation work but my guess is that they will not accept the date of claim as the date entitlement would start.

They will have covered this loop hole - it's far too big and obvious. :biggrin:

Reply 6

Juno

20

If you just have a student loan, then you will probably get free prescriptions etc. If you're getting money from other sources/getting lots paid for then you may get it free or may get partial help. It's worth applying just in case. If you have to get any medication after you are 19 but before you get your certificate you need to ask for a receipt and can claim money the back! You'll need to take your HC2 or HC3 (that's the name of the certificates) with you whenever you want to get a free prescription/eye test/whatever.

And I know you can get forms from pharmacies!

Reply 7

Adarah

16

wow, interesting thread! can't contribute, but this is interesting... :O

Reply 8

Juno

20

Oh, and it's not because you're a student. It's because you have a low income!

It's the same with tax; most students don't pay tax, but only because they don't earn over the £4000ish threshhold

Reply 9

Jandarini

Hmmm. I don't suppose EU students are elligible?

Reply 10

Adarah

16

Jandarini

Hmmm. I don't suppose EU students are elligible?

good question... I know I have a national insurance number somewhere.. well, I had one, I think my mum lost it :frown:

Reply 11

AngelofnoColour

OP

14

thanks guys!!!! :tsr:

Reply 12

yawn

17

Juno

If you just have a student loan, then you will probably get free prescriptions etc.

My cousin claimed last year and his only income was a non-means tested Student Loan - i.e. 75% of full loan.

His parents pay for his accommodation and after the government department deducted a derisory amount for books they assessed his disposable income as £60 odd a week. They disallowed him the benefits because they said his income was too high - it needed to be below £45 a week!!

They ask for the address where the student is living as they check who pays the accommodation costs to ensure the student is not making a false declaration on the claim form!

Reply 13

yawn

17

Jandarini

Hmmm. I don't suppose EU students are elligible?

I've found this link from the University of Essex that states that overseas/EU students may be eligible for help with health costs. Have a read. :smile:

http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/welfare/health.shtm

Reply 14

Adarah

16

yawn

I've found this link from the University of Essex that states that overseas/EU students may be eligible for help with health costs. Have a read. :smile:

http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/welfare/health.shtm

thanks yawn! :smile:

Ooh, thanks, love!

If you're french wouldn't we have the social security or your parent's "mutuel'??

Reply 17

Zebrastripes

13

So we have to pay for prescriptions if we have over a certain amount of money? As in paying for the contraceptive pill, or can i still get things like that free?

Reply 18

Juno

20

ladydeborah

So we have to pay for prescriptions if we have over a certain amount of money? As in paying for the contraceptive pill, or can i still get things like that free?

Contraception are free always! You can even get free condoms from your local family planning clinic. If you look at the back of your next prescription, there's a box that says you don't have to pay as you were prescribed contraception, and you need to tick that one