Hi does anyone know if help with travel costs is available to people not on benefits???
I have been travelling a 64 mile round trip for what will be 16 radiotherapy treatments. I chose to drive myself rather than go on hosp transport.
Just wondered if there was any help available. Now on half pay so a bit skint!!
Best wishes to you all
Sarah66
Not sure if you would be able to claim back your petrol from the health board but you could apply for a Macmillan Grant to help with it.
Hi
Check out dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Medicinespharmacyandindustry/Prescriptions/NHScosts/index.htm as if you have a low income it is sometimes possible to claim back travel expences etc. Follow the link to:
The NHS Low Income Scheme
The Authority’s Patient Services administers the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) on behalf of the Department of Health for England, the Scottish Executive Health Department and the National Assembly for Wales. The Scheme provides income related help with health costs for people who are not exempt, nor automatically entitled to remission from NHS chargeable services, but who may nevertheless be entitled to help with the following costs on low income grounds:
NHS prescriptions
NHS dental treatment
Sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
Travel to hospital for NHS treatment
NHS wigs and fabric supports
Here’s what I’ve just read…
NHS TRAVEL COSTS
You can get help with necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant, or through a referral by a doctor or dentist if you:
• are getting, or your partner gets:
– Income Support
– Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not incomerelated)
– Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate (includes travel by your dependent children)
• are a war pensioner and the treatment is for your accepted disablement
Doesn’t apply in my case as I was wondering the same - not yet started radiotherapy but will have to travel to Cheltenham (60 mile round trip) for 15 sessions so was wandering whether they’d be any help. All my other treatment has been about a mile up the road so I suppose I shouldn’t complain.
Ask your NHS Trust if they provide hospital transport which is free. I have used this throughout my chemo and radio treatment.
Anita
Also quote from the NHS site:
The extent of any help available is based on a comparison between a person’s weekly income and their assessed requirements at the time the claim is made (or the date the charge was paid if a refund is claimed). Any help a person is entitled to is extended to their partner and dependent children, if applicable. Anyone can make a claim, providing they do not have capital which exceeds the capital limit. The capital limits are as follows:
If you are resident in England or Scotland:
£22,250 for those permanently in a care home
£16,000 for everyone else
If you are resident in Wales:
£22,000 for those permanently in a care home
£16,000 for everyone else
LIS assessments are broadly based on Income Support arrangements to determine how much, if anything, a person should contribute towards their health costs. However, the Scheme also allows for the inclusion of council tax and housing costs in the assessment.
People are entitled to full help with NHS charges (which includes free NHS prescriptions), and are sent an HC2 certificate, if their income is less than or equal to their requirements or their income is greater than their requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge. People are entitled to limited help with certain NHS charges, and are sent an HC3 certificate which shows how much they are expected to contribute to their health costs, if their income is greater than their requirements by more than half the current English prescription charge. Certificates are usually valid for periods of between 6 months to 5 years, depending on a person’s circumstances. The Scheme is designed so that people can claim help in advance of incurring a cost and are able to budget accordingly. However, if charges have already been incurred, refund claims and claims for certificates may be made at the same time.
Customers who wish to query the outcome of their claims are entitled to ask for their claim to be formally reviewed. The Review Section considers whether claims have been assessed in accordance with the provisions of the regulations governing the Scheme (The NHS (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations, 2003, as amended).
To request a review click on “Go To Form” or write to:
Review Section
NHS Business Services Authority
PO Box 993
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE99 2TZ
You will normally hear from the Review Section within four weeks.
If you have any general queries about your claim, how to fill in the form or what to send us, you can call us on 0845 850 1166. Or, complete our query form.
Do they know you are driving that distance? I was told I could drive 10 miles max at any time, my nearest oncology unit is about 30 miles away so I have had to rely on friends for lifts. I spoke to a chap at Radiotherapy last week and he had been driving 40 miles each way for his treatment and when they found out they said that if he continued to do that then they would refuse to treat him.
I drive a round trip of 50 miles for my rads - my oncologist knows and has not said anything - just that they will give me a late morning appointment!