NHS Dental Charge

[Danny-r]

So, as a student, I've just returned home from University for Christmas to find a "Final Letter Before Action" letter from NHSBSA. Obviously I can't have official letters going to my temporary residence, so bank statements and important things are sent to my permanent address. For those that don't know, for students living away from home our parents house is still our 'permanent address'.

 

The date on the letter is 9th of December. I was told by my Mum that the letter arrived on the 19th of December, yet the letter claims that it will take legal proceedings if the full amount is not paid in 7 days. To add to that, I never actually received a first letter, at any address. This letter came as a huge shock. The amount they expect is £201.30, including the £50 surcharge.

 

I have no idea what's going on and if I'm honest, I'm a little bit worried, unfortunately they're closed now so I can't ring up tonight so have all of tonight to worry about this.

 

As a student, I get my student loans and do not have a part-time job. At my home address, the household income is 0 since my mother is medically retired due to Multiple Sclerosis.

 

This is the second HC2 form I've had. I had one from roughly 2012-Sept 13 when I reapplied and was offered a HC1 instead, at that time I was working part-time 15 hours a week at £6.31. When I left that job due to returning to University (it was basically a summer job between Uni year's) I reapplied and was given a HC2 form. I believe that ran out on October 2015. Since then I've not been back although I did intend to reapply.

 

Can anybody offer any advice on what's going on? Tomorrow can't come soon enough I just want this solved. I read that the maximum penalty is £100, with the surcharge that's £150 so I'm unsure how they even got £201.30?

[Nystagmite]

Is there a breakdown of how they came to that amount?

[Danny-r]

Is there a breakdown of how they came to that amount?

 

Nope. I assume there may be on the original letter but it was never received. I only have a final letter before action.

[citizenB]

Did you keep the envelope for the letter dated 9th December ? If so, check and see what type of mail service they used - 1st or 2nd class or UK Mail.

 

Also, is there a posting date on the envelope - did they type the letter on the 9th and not send it until a few days later - this is a nono for this type of letter.

[Danny-r]

Did you keep the envelope for the letter dated 9th December ? If so, check and see what type of mail service they used - 1st or 2nd class or UK Mail.

 

Also, is there a posting date on the envelope - did they type the letter on the 9th and not send it until a few days later - this is a nono for this type of letter.

 

The date (9th) is printed on the letter. There is no date on the envelope. The service due says 'Delivered by Royal Mail- C9 10002'. It's a printed stamp.

[citizenB]

Hmm, so no way of knowing then.

 

I think all you can do is to either email or write to them. Explain that you have not previously received any communication from them, else you would have dealt with it. That despite this recent letter being dated 9th December, it was not received until 19th. If you feel confident talking on the phone, then I see no harm in communicating that way - if you are in a position to record the call, even better.

 

Aside from this, you would like to receive a breakdown of how they have arrived at the figure they are pursuing you for.

[citizenB]

Are you entitled to any help with dental charges whilst you are a student ?

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?455679-Dental-penalty-charge

 

I don't know if the thread linked above is of any help to you.

[Danny-r]

 

I don't know if the thread linked above is of any help to you.

 

I've had a read of it and it's hard to tell how applicable since I don't know what they've charged me for. During the duration of my first HC2 I had a root canal and during the second one I had an emergency appointment where the root canal had disintegrated.

 

Are you entitled to any help with dental charges whilst you are a student ?

 

Not specifically, no. I applied via the HC1 as standard. The maximum student loan is roughly £8k per year. Given that my mother doesn't work due to her MS, that was my household income. That's below the threshold and, as far as I'm aware, makes me acceptable for a HC2.

 

I've just checked, and the limit is £16k, so I'm at half of that.

[citizenB]

Well for sure you need to establish why they are pursuing you for a debt which they have provided no breakdown for and also that you might not be liable for !

[Nystagmite]

The £16k limit is actually the savings limit and not the income limit.

[Danny-r]

The £16k limit is actually the savings limit and not the income limit.

 

I'm aware of that, but given I'm a student... yeah I don't have £16k savings, or anywhere near that.

 

Rung them up today, woman on the phone was really nice and thankfully it was an error due to the confusion of University address/permanent address. The dentist had one address and my HC2 had another.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Now in post#5 you mention " The service due says 'Delivered by Royal Mail- C9 10002'. It's a printed stamp".

 

Think this is TNT look at this link: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?424106-Collectica-Notice-of-Enforcement initially read post#6 then read post#14