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Written question asked by Christian Matheson (Labour) on Thursday, 14 April 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 April 2022. It was answered by Maria Caulfield (Conservative) on Monday, 25 April 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Employment and Support Allowance: Fines

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many contribution-based ESA claimants have been fined as a result of an erroneous belief that they were entitled to claim free dental treatment while on benefits.

Answer

In 2019/2020, the NHS Business Services Authority issued 12,411 Penalty Charge Notices to patients who had provided receipt of Employment and Support Allowance as an exemption for their dental treatment. Prior to the issuance of a fine, patients are permitted to demonstrate their eligibility for free National Health Service dental treatment.

Exemption checking for NHS dentistry was paused during the pandemic to limit the spread of COVID-19 through the handling and signing of papers between patients and dental staff. Patient signatures were reintroduced on 1 September 2021.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
154039
Session
2021-22
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Dental services Fees and charges Fines Employment and support allowance
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk