NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

[a1214u]

Dear all,

I had some NHS dental treatment whilst believing I was in receipt of JSA.

However the DWP had stopped my claim without informing me.

Consequently I have been hit with paying £43 for the treatment and a £100 penalty charge.

I am no longer on any benefits and have no income whatsoever.

My question is:
What if I just don't pay the £143?
Are they likely to take me to court for that amount?
What would be the likely outcome of my refusal? CCJ?
Anyone had any experience of the outcome of not paying?

Thanks in advance.

[des8]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

Hi and welcome

Have you appealed the charges?
http://contactcentreservices.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/selfnhsukokb/AskUs_ECS/template.do;jsessionid=ABF87528F9840D07CDB66BF0796 4DC74?name=Can+I+appeal+against+the+decision%3F&id =24538

[MIKE770]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

we appealed and what a waste of time - another Government con on so many different un defined benefits, you may/may not = anybody out of work then one benefit should cover all, if you are out of work you are in no different position than the next person for whatever reason ! shows how corrupt the system of government is!

[a1214u]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

OK, just to be clear, I'm not interested in appealing or questioning the notice.
I just want to know what would happen if I refused to pay.
Thanks

[des8]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

Ok ..just trying to be helpful and get a full picture.
The bad news. if you don't pay the penalty on time, you will likely see it increased by 50% surcharge.
Failing to pay that and it is possible that court proceedings will be initiated
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/DentalServi...y_guidance.pdf

HOWEVER at the beginning of this year, in response to a FOI request NHSBSA responded there had been no court proceedings.(yet!)
https://apps.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/FOIreques...st_(05896).txt

[a1214u]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

Thank you very much for those links.

It would be pointless them persuing me for the money as I have no income nor any assets.

I hope this helps others who are in a similar situation.

[MIKE770]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

No income?? from any source!

[a1214u]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

Thats correct.

[wales01man]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

How do u live may I ask ?

[des8]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

How do u live may I ask ?

Family?

[parzival]

Re: NHS Penalty Charge Notice - What if I dont pay?

Further to others posts, I have just been fined for three items that I wrongly claimed on a free prescription.

The reason given is that jobcentreplus have reexamined my case and changed my claim from income related ESA to contribuition based ESA. Prescriptions are only free under the former and not the latter.

I have no way of paying this, in the past I have paid for pre-paid exemption cards. Then they inform me that the prescriptions for April, May, June, July and August 2017 will also be looked at and fines sent out in regards of these. I really am in trouble over this, I know that ignorance is no excuse, but I am desperate for help.

Any advice.

As a post script, they emailed me saying that my appeal has failed and the fine has increased due to my tardyness in paying.

To add further misery I have tried three times to pay online using the reference number they have quoted me and the website says it is not recognised.

[Tagboomer]

Hi it’s been a while since you posted and I have received a penalty charge so was wondering what was the outcome of yours in the end? Thanks

[enaid]

Hi rather than wait for a reply you may never get, I suggest you start your own thread then you may get the help you need that is if you need help x

[AnonRed]

To take court action they would need to show that you claimed an exemption you were not entitled to. This they cannot do. Spent prescriptions are not kept by pharmacies, all the NHS Business Executive get is a list of people who have claimed exemption. They then spot check the list against DWP records and send out the notices. All you need do is ask for a copy of your signature making the exemption claim and say you did not claim an exemption and paid. They will ask for a receipt or bank record. Tell them you paid cash and have lost the receipt. At that point they will accept a signed declaration from you saying you paid. They can't do anything else. They may snarl like a raging tiger but in effect they are an impotent pussy cat in legal terms.

[enaid]

Your post maybe correct when applied to prescriptions, but we were find for dentist charges and they do keep records as is required.