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Take some good advice

The health benefits scheme is ‘as accessible as a fortified castle’ and fails people on low incomes, according to a new report by the National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (NACAB).

The report, Health Warning, claims the scheme stops people on incomes just above the income support level from claiming the assistance they need to meet new NHS charges. NACAB say that their findings disprove the government’s stated aim of simplifying and rationalising the social security system with the new charges instituted in 1988. They state instead that it is overcomplicated, with some claim forms for people on low incomes coming to 19 pages. Not only does this confuse claimants, they say, but also social security staff.

NACAB claim prescription and optician charges discourage people from going for treatment and also that benefits for those on low incomes have not kept up with these charges. They add that ‘this creates a harsh poverty trap as, in many cases, the payment of health charges brings people below this income support level’.

They conclude that the scheme is unfair since it contains so many unjustifiable anomalies such as the fact that pensioners are automatically exempt from prescription charges but must pay other NHS charges, while those on low incomes get some help for dental and optical services but none for prescription charges.

The recommendations of the report are that the low income scheme be abolished and that benefit should be based on exemption which should be extended to cover those on other benefits, those paying only 20% of the poll tax, those on state pensions, those under 20 years old in full-time education and those with physical conditions such as pregnancy and epilepsy.

Health Warning is available from NACAB, 115-123 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LZ. Price: £5.00.