Lake Road Practice

FINANCES AND BENEFITS

Illness can bring financial hardship. Benefits may be of help - ask your Department for work and pensions for help. For general benefit enquiries the number is Freephone 0800 882200.

For Disability Benefit enquiries the number is 08457 123456.

27 Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1NB. Tel 9263 4500.

The Citizens Advice Bureau

Tel 92 656300

DWP Sick Notes

These are needed after a week off work - (Leaflet DHC1 JP – “A guide for disabled people, those with health conditions and carers”). If a sick note is needed after less than a week off work, a private sick note will be issued for which there is a charge.

If you have been sick for six months or are disabled, these contact numbers may be useful:

NHS Prescriptions are free for:

• Children under 16.
• Young people under 19 in full time education.
• Women aged 60 and over.
• Men aged 60 and over.
• War pensioners.
• People on Income Support orIncome related Employment and Support Allowance.
• Pregnant women and those with children aged under one.
• People with specific medical conditions including epilepsy, stomas, thyroid and Addison's disease, myasthenia, some types of diabetes and others.
• Cancer patients receiving treatment.

Do you need help with NHS costs?

The NHS guide "Help with Health Costs" covers the following: (Leaflet HC11) covers the following:

• Prescription season ticket
• NHS dental treatment
• Sight tests
• Glasses or contact lenses
• NHS wigs and fabric supports
• Travel to receive NHS treatment

If you have been sick for six months or are disabled these contact numbers may be useful:

Employment and Support Allowance – 0800 0556688

Disability Living Allowance – 0800 882200 (Benefits enquiry line)

Attendance Allowance 0800 882200

Do you look after a disabled person?

Contact the Carers Allowance Unit – 01253 856123

If you are a carer please make this known to the doctor. The 'Blue Badge' system to allow parking in designated disabled spaces is administered by Social Services. Contact them if you feel you may be eligible, and they will write to us for supporting statements. If you are not sure whether you should apply, discuss the situation with your doctor.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND PRIVATE WORK

Not all our work is covered by the NHS.

You should go to the Housing Options Department and tell them if you have medical grounds for rehousing. They will write direct to us, and we can then furnish a report without charge to you.

Housing Information - help with:

Applying to join the Council Housing Waiting List
Applying for Housing for Health Reasons
Sheltered housing for the Elderly
Additional Support for the Elderly
Help for the Homeless

Leaflets are available from:

Housing Services
First Floor
Civil Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AY

Tel 9283 4989.

Medical Reports for Solicitors

It is best if your solicitor writes directly to us. He will need to enclose your written permission for us to disclose information to him. We will send our bill direct to him.

Certificates of straightforward, simple facts.

Private sick notes.

Passport forms and photographs.

Holiday cancellation insurance certificate.

Vaccine certificate.

Pre-employment medicals.

HGV, PSV, taxi driver examination.

Fitness to drive certificate.

Seamen's medicals.

Special medical examinations for work, insurance, sport, and travel matters.

(Please ask at reception to obtain our up to-date charges. Our receptionists will be happy to help you.)