Short back story: I was full time carer to my wife until she passed on. Didn't cope with this too well and was put on Incapacity Benefit for mental health problems. Earlier this year I was moved over to ESA and put in to a "back to work group" and told that nothing had changed other than they classed me as able to return to work some time in the future if given the right help.
Around May this year I had some dental work done and signed the back of the form as usual saying "income support" as my IB had included an element of income support.
In August I received a letter telling me I owed money for the treatment as I wasn't entitled to help. I rang them and discovered that there are two types of ESA, 1 gives help, the other doesn't. I explained my side / not knowing / etc and followed up with a letter. I also immediately applied for a HC2 and was given full assistence.
In October they wrote again, this time hitting me with a penalty charge on top. I wrote again explaining all and pointing out that had I known at that time that I wasn't covered I would have got a HC2 and including number of the HC2 I now have.
I've just had a letter from them this morning saying that I haven't produced evidence that I have paid or that I was entitled to help at the time. Whilst that is technically true I don't understand why they cannot follow that I have been on benefits the whole time, that it is my only income and I would have had a HC2 had I known that being on ESA took away my entitlement to NHS help.
Helpful advice appreciated, please bear in mind I have no way of raising £300+ so suggesting I pay it wouldn't be helpful.
Around May this year I had some dental work done and signed the back of the form as usual saying "income support" as my IB had included an element of income support.
In August I received a letter telling me I owed money for the treatment as I wasn't entitled to help. I rang them and discovered that there are two types of ESA, 1 gives help, the other doesn't. I explained my side / not knowing / etc and followed up with a letter. I also immediately applied for a HC2 and was given full assistence.
In October they wrote again, this time hitting me with a penalty charge on top. I wrote again explaining all and pointing out that had I known at that time that I wasn't covered I would have got a HC2 and including number of the HC2 I now have.
I've just had a letter from them this morning saying that I haven't produced evidence that I have paid or that I was entitled to help at the time. Whilst that is technically true I don't understand why they cannot follow that I have been on benefits the whole time, that it is my only income and I would have had a HC2 had I known that being on ESA took away my entitlement to NHS help.
Helpful advice appreciated, please bear in mind I have no way of raising £300+ so suggesting I pay it wouldn't be helpful.