Universal Credit claimants on medication could be fined for failing to tick prescription box – that DOESN’T EXIST
I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that this takes government incompetence to a new depth.
Who designs prescription forms? It has to be the Department of Health – right?
All the Department for Work and Pensions had to do was advise the Department of Health that a new box should be added, so Universal Credit claimants could declare their status, and all the DoH had to do was comply.
Yet this has not happened, and innocent claimants are getting the blame.
We all know what happens if benefit claimants lose even a small amount of money – it becomes almost impossible for them to meet their day-to-day needs.
Many are driven to despair, some to suicide, and some die because of their illnesses – because their lack of money makes it impossible for them to obtain their medicine or keep it in the required condition (remember David Clapson, everyone).
Of course, this could be intentional – another turn of the screw on the sick and disabled, as part of the Conservative Party’s genocidal “chequebook euthanasia” campaign against them.
Even if it isn’t, it is endangering lives.
That’s why I’m suggesting it takes incompetence to a new disgraceful depth.
An unemployed man was left in tears and without medication because of an error with the Tory Government’s botched Universal Credit roll-out.
Universal Credit claimant Matthew Smythe went to a pharmacist to collect the free medicine that he needs for an ongoing condition and is entitled to – only to be told that he could be fined up to £100 for not ticking the Universal Credit box on his prescription – even though such a box doesn’t exist.
This is because prescription forms have not been updated in line with the controversial new benefits policy – which is causing confusion and misery for struggling people.
Source: Jobseeker left in tears and without medication because of Universal Credit error – Liverpool Echo
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surely a pharmacist could or dr could write it on the prescription or print out a form of their own design with the missing box on it with description (universal credit), attach it to the prescription where the rest of the declaration boxes are for a patient to sign. simple
… if they’ve been informed that it’s necessary. I see no evidence that this has happened.
Hmm the trouble is if like mine pharm shop they don’t give these even when my wife asks for them this can and will be a nightmare
My dentist just made me wait five days for an emergency appointment because there wasn’t an appropriate box for her to tick. I got lucky on the sixth day the computers were down so she couldn’t check…
No Pharmacist can Deny you your medication no matter what!!! As soon as they get the script it has to be given!
People are still getting away with ticking the income support box even though they work! As I am diabetic I will always get free prescriptions as long as I am taking prescribed tablets for it!!
Why hasn’t the man named the pharmacy!! Also he could have gone somewhere else
You’re missing the point.
People could be fined. Then it may be that they can’t afford to keep the medicine in the right conditions, or can’t get to the pharmacy, or can’t afford to buy food, or pay the rent.
Or any number of other issues may arise, depending on their own circumstances.
No they are not my niece was told she had to pay £150 because she had ticked the wrong box, she had to jump through hoops to prove she was getting UVC it took her 3 weeks to sort it out she is not the only one I have heard of it happening to, It’s got nothing to do with the Doctor or the pharmacy the blame lies right at the door of this very incompetent Government , yet again Government is wasting millions on stupid letters being sent out when if they had done the job properly in the first place they would not have to waste so much time and money .
These tin Hitlers need beating into permanent disability
Just write it in a draw a box. Can’t complain then. If anyone does ask you what you are doing, just say you are correcting some mistakes for the incompetent government
I have to prove I’m on benefits every time I visit the dentist no doubt that will continue when I move to UC I’m lucky I gave up prescription meds two years ago and treat myself naturally I could see that health insurance was on it’s way when I saw ATOS Maximus Capita Serco Concentrix G4S and Virgin Care all buying up NHS and welfare contracts since 2011 all have vast corporate insurance arms.
I think the DoH need to be taken to court, just one test case where a claimant of UC ticks the same box as they have done before UC. The judge to say no harm was caused as the correct box wasn’t available so ticking the previous box counts as the same as only the name of the benefit has changed, so no penalty on the claimant in respect of paying the £100. In respect of the stress caused to the claimant the DoH will pay him the amount of £XXX. That would open the floodgates
Most prescription forms will not yet have a box for Universal Credit; patients should tick the box for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/changes-to-universal-credit-prescription-charge-exemption/
Many people who claim Universal Credit are low-paid(zero-hour contract) workers.The problem here is the element of control.The lives of these workers are controlled by Public Authorities(Job Centre) & Local Councils etc.Universal Credit leads to a type of 21st Century slavery.
Universal Credit encourages bad employers and low pay(subsidised by the State)!
The lives of Universal Credit claimants are controlled by Public Authorities(Job Centre,Local Councils, Inland Revenue etc).It is a type of slavery.The lives of low paid workers who claim Universal Credit are controlled by these Public Authorities.The low paid workers are initially taxed at a higher rate.These workers have to complete forms and wait for many months to get the tax refund.
My daughter is on UC. When she has to pick up a prescription, she ticks the JSA/ESA box. The pharmacy is perfectly happy with that.
The “Real” cost of implementing “Universal Credit” would be interesting to see.