Martin Lewis warns millions over easy NHS mistake that could trigger £100 fine
Martin Lewis, the renowned consumer finance advocate, has issued a critical warning to millions of Universal Credit recipients across the UK concerning their eligibility for free NHS prescriptions and dental care. Lewis highlighted a widespread misconception: simply being enrolled in Universal Credit does not automatically confer exemption from healthcare charges. This common error could lead to individuals incorrectly claiming free services, subsequently triggering a substantial £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) along with the original prescription fee. The nuanced rules for Prescription Charge Exemption under Universal Credit often depend on specific earnings thresholds within an assessment period, a critical detail frequently overlooked and differing from legacy benefits where automatic exemption was more common.
