Here’s a weird sidebar: if you don’t qualify for free prescriptions because your UC earnings are too high, you can buy a PPC. A 3-month PPC costs £32.42, and a 12-month one is £114.59. If you need more than two prescriptions in three months, it’s cheaper than paying individually. But with UC, you’re already budgeting for bread and milk. Spending £114 upfront? That’s a big ask.
So my hot tip: always apply for the HC2 certificate first. Even if you think you don’t qualify. Seriously. I’ve seen people get approved with savings of £16,000 and a part-time job. The rules are weirdly generous in some cases. And if you’re rejected? You appeal. Or you buy a PPC and grin through the pain.
Prescription Glasses Universal Credit at Linda Fujiwara blog
The “I forgot my certificate” panic
Back to Dave. He was standing at the counter, red-faced, with his inhaler in his hand. He didn’t have his HC2 card with him (it was under a pile of laundry). The pharmacist said he had to pay or leave the medicine. But here’s the trick: you can pay and then claim a refund. You fill out form FP57 (or a similar local version) within three months. Dave did that. He got his £9.90 back in eight weeks. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
Moral of the story: always carry your fucking certificate. (Sorry, but it’s true.) Laminate it. Tape it to your phone case. Do whatever it takes.
