NHS dentist penalty charge notice

[jabber786]

On the 31st of May. I went for a check up genuinely thought I was exempt as never paid for it before as I receive tax credits.

After receiving the letter I rang nhs exemption line. They advised my exemption ran out on the 31st April.

after some advice and research the reason is I now earn more than the £15,276 as the national living wage has gone to £17,077 (over 25's) in April. I am still receiving the tax credits.

The becs helpline will not accept this mistake and are demanding £100 fine plus the £22.70 check up.

Does anyone have any advice.

I am willing to pay the 22.70 happily but the £100 seems excessive

[efpom]

The legislation is http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1.../contents/made.

The amount of the penalty is laid down in the S.I. above, so any argument that it is excessive, goes nowhere.

It is a civil penalty, which if not paid within 28 days, attracts a surcharge of 50% of the original penalty.

You can appeal the imposition of the penalty, if you believe that you were, in fact, entitled to free treatment. You seem to admit that you were not, in fact, so entitled.

[des8]

For those hit with a penalty this investigation makes interesting reading: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/up...re-Summary.pdf