Health Benefits Low Income Scheme

EDM number 32 in 1991-92, proposed by Alice Mahon on 31/10/1991.

That this House notes that the Citizens Advice Bureaux receive over 100,000 enquiries a year about the Government's Health Benefits Low Income Scheme which is designed to help low income households with the cost of optical and dental treatment, free prescriptions and fares to hospital; further notes that the grounds for exemption from charges are inconsistent and that the 19 page claim forms leave claimants confused and as a result the benefits are underclaimed; therefore agrees with NACAB's report Health Warning that the scheme is not meeting its aims, because the help available is insufficient and does not always reach those in need; consequently notes the Government's review of the scheme; however calls on the Government to extend the review to consider the extension of exemptions to include those persons receiving income-related benefits such as housing benefit, community charge benefit and the disability working allowance; also calls for all people receiving long-term sickness benefits, namely, invalidity benefit, severe disablement allowance, mobility and attendance allowances, to be exempt from prescription charges; and urges the Government to exempt all persons aged over 60 years from paying for eye tests and to ensure that, where full exemption from optical charges is given, glasses are available without extra charge.

This motion has been signed by a total of 64 MPs.