Nhs Low Income Scheme LisIf you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). The scheme covers: You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit. In England, the limit is:
Any help you're entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependant young people. Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate). You qualify for full help if your weekly income is less than or equal to your weekly requirements (a personal allowance to cover your day-to-day living expenses and housing costs), or is greater than your weekly requirements by no more than half the current NHS prescription charges. If your income exceeds your requirements, you may be entitled to partial help. Your certificate will show how much you have to pay towards your health costs. The rules governing who's eligible are broadly the same as those for a means-tested benefit. But the assessment also takes into account council tax and housing costs, so you can get help with health costs even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit. Find out more about means-tested benefits on GOV.UK. How to applyThere are 2 ways to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). You can apply online or by post. To find out who can apply online, or to make an online application, go to the NHS&t=.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme">NHS Business Services Authority website. To apply by post you'll need to complete an HC1 form and send it to the address on the form. You can order an HC1 form online, or download&t=.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme">download an HC1 form from the NHS Business Services Authority website and print it yourself. The form may also be available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. A doctor, dentist or optician may also be able to give you one. If you need help making your claim or have questions about the LIS, call 0300 330 1343. Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 3pm. Certificates are usually valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances. You do not need to apply if you or your partner:
These benefits or tax credits already entitle you to full help with health costs. Formal reviewsIf you're unhappy with the outcome of your claim, you can ask for a review by a service improvement adviser. The service improvement team checks whether a claim has been correctly assessed in accordance with the regulations governing the scheme. If the decision was wrong, a new certificate will be sent to you. You can request&t=.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme">request a review online via the NHS Business Services Authority website or post your request to: NHSBSA How to claim back money that you've already paidYou can submit a claim for a refund at the same time as you apply for the Low Income Scheme. Refund claims must be received within 3 months of the date on which you paid, or within 3 months of the date of your sight test. To claim a refund of prescription charges, you'll need an NHS receipt and refund form FP57. Ask for the form when you pay for your prescription. To claim a refund of other charges, including dental treatment, wigs and fabric supports, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses, and healthcare travel costs, you'll need the relevant HC5 form. You can download the HC5 refund forms from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website:
Important numbersNHS Low Income Scheme helpline - 0300 330 1343. Prescription services helpline - 0300 330 1349. Queries about medical exemption certificates - 0300 330 1341. Queries about prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) - 0300 330 1341. Call 0300 330 1343 for all other queries. Sexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
|
| This item was in brought to you association with NHS website. Follow the links above for more information and don't forget to check out OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health which features items on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. This week our topic is: L - Lung Cancer. |
| Photos: OutUK and LightFieldStudios. | |