Claiming benefits and concessions
If symptoms of porphyria are affecting your daily life (including your ability to work), you may be trying to tackle the benefits system for the first time. Benefits available will depend on your personal circumstances and often where you live. The below guides aim to provide a summary of the types of assistance available and direct you to places/resources that will be able to help you more.
Benefits & concessions: EPP
A patient information leaflet containing details of benefits and concessions available for people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).
Benefits & concessions: Acute porphyrias
A patient information leaflet containing details of benefits and concessions available for people with the acute porphyrias.
Access Cards
A guide on how to apply for an Access Card, which offers increased accessibility to thousands of UK attractions, venues, and events for people with disabilities.
Blue badge scheme
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination. The BPA can provide a letter to support your application – just email us at helpline@porphyria.org.uk.
Find out more about how to apply for the Blue Badge scheme and check your eligibility on the GOV.UK website.
NHS Help with Health Costs scheme
The NHS Help with Health Costs scheme provides financial support for people in England who struggle to afford medical expenses. It covers costs such as NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses, contact lenses, travel to NHS appointments, and wigs or fabric supports, so it may be able to help you with more than just prescriptions.
Eligibility depends on factors like income, benefits, and medical conditions. Those on certain benefits (e.g., Universal Credit with low earnings, Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit) automatically qualify. If you are not receiving one of the mentioned benefits but are on a low income, you can apply for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) by completing an HC1 form. Depending on circumstances, you may receive full (HC2 certificate) or partial (HC3 certificate) help. Check if you’re eligible for help | NHSBSA.
If you do not qualify for free prescriptions, the NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) offers a way to save money. It allows unlimited prescriptions for a fixed fee: £31.25 for three months or £111.60 for 12 months (as of 2024). This is cost-effective for those needing multiple prescriptions regularly.
For more details on these certificates, visit the NHS Business Services Authority’s pages on HC2 certificates and HC3 certificates.
If you need assistance with the application process or have questions, contact the NHS Low Income Scheme helpline on 0300 330 1343.
Top tips for applying for benefits & concessions
The application process for benefits and concessions can feel complicated and overwhelming. Here are some general points that may be helpful in tackling tricky application forms:
- Read the questions fully before attempting to answer
- Do a trial run with a copy of the form – it will help you to make sure all your responses are appropriate and in the right places
- The way you are affected by your porphyria most likely varies day to day, but when completing forms think about your abilities on your worst days
- Use your own words and try to remember personal experiences to illustrate your difficulties
- If you have problems with writing clearly, get someone else to write the answers, and sign to confirm you agree
- Keep a copy of the completed form (photo, photocopy or scan)
- It is vital to support your claim/application with medical evidence from your doctor or specialist
- Ask for additional help, e.g. from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau or medical professionals – some GP surgeries also have access to someone who may help with form filling for benefits. You can also contact us at helpline@porphyria.org.uk for guidance and supporting letters.
- If you are unsuccessful initially, appeal or ask for your case to be looked at again.
Need more help? Get in touch
If you would like more help with your application for any of the above benefits & concessions, please don’t hesitate to contact the BPA at helpline@porphyria.org.uk.
We can help with information/evidence and we can even support you completing the application if needed. We may also be able to help cover the cost of some applications (e.g. Access Card), for anyone needing additional support.