National Insurance

• All British Citizens in the UK are issued with a National Insurance number at 16 years old. This number is used as a means of identification when dealing with the Inland Revenue.
• 
  National Insurance contributions only have to be paid when a person earns more than £110 per week.
  The contributions are deducted from the wage packet by the employer.
• The amount paid in National Insurance contributions depends on the amount earned.
• People who are self-employed make their own National Insurance contributions.
• Further information on National Insurance payments can be found here.

Health Costs

• 
  That students of 19+ years are not entitled to free prescriptions unless in possession of an exemption certificate. To obtain an exemption certificate complete Form HC1 under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

  Form HC1 cannot be downloaded from the web. To obtain Form HC1 phone:

  The Department of Health Publications order line 08701 555455 option 1

  Or

  Help with Health Costs 0845 8501166 option 1

  Or request one online:

  www.ppa.org.uk/ppa/HC1_form.htm

  Or pick up one from:

  NHS hospitals, JobCentre Plus offices. Some GPs, chemists, dentists and opticians also have them.

• Information is available in the Department of Health Leaflet HC11. There are two versions 1) Full HC11 Leaflet which has detailed information on eligibility and 2) Quick Guide for Students which applies to students in England only.

  Help with health costs: HC11 student's guide

  Further information is available from:

  Department of Health, Policy and Guidance

  NHS Business Services Authority, FAQs

• No help is available if you have capital or savings of more than £16,000.
• If are accepted onto the scheme you could receive either full or partial help towards the costs of NHS prescriptions, NHS dental costs, eye tests, glasses and contact lenses, travel to hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a consultant, wigs and fabric supports.
• If the application is successful you will receive either an HC2 or HC3 Certificate. An HC2 certificate signifies maximum help and an HC3 certificate signifies partial help which does not include the cost of prescriptions.
• Certificates have to be renewed annually. If you are in your final year of study then the certificate will end when the course finishes.
• It is possible to claim back money if you have already paid for something but the refund claim has to be received within 3 months of the date you paid. You will need Form FP57 for prescriptions refunds and Form HC5 for dental and optician refunds. An HC1 form can be filled in at the same time as requesting the refunds if you do not already have one.
• When filling in Part 3 of the HC1 Form, full-time students do not need to give details of anyone living in the same accommodation.
• Advice on filling in Form HC1 is available on the Help with Health Costs Customer Enquiry Line 0845 8501166 option 2.

General

• As students you are responsible for paying your own Income Tax and National Insurance where applicable.
• Keep a record of all communication when you contact institutions such as the bank, building society, Customs & Revenue, Local Authority etc. List the date, time, the name of the person you spoke to, which department they are in, whether there is a reference number for the call. If you have to send in any paperwork, take a photocopy.
• Shop around for the student bank account that remains interest free for the longest amount of time.
• Arrange for an overdraft so that excess fees are not incurred if you become overdrawn. Charges could be levied even if you went overdrawn by mistake.
• Click here to see the advice given to employers.
• There are many places to seek help, advice and information. Some are listed below.

On student loans: Student Loans Company Limited www.slc.co.uk
Student Finance England direct.gov.uk On finance: Inland Revenue Student tax calculator www.stccalculator.inlandrevenue.gov.uk Student Awards Agency for Scotland http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk Student Finance Wales http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Student Finance Northern Ireland http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Department for Education and Skills
Higher education student support for students who start courses in 2006 or who started courses in 2005 or before.
www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/

DirectGov
Clear and concise information on money, tax and benefits
Beginner's guide to tax

On forms:

www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/fgcat-students.shtml

On advice:

Citizens Advice Bureau
Provides free, confidential and independent advice on legal, tax and consumer matters.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

On debt:

National Debtline
Provides free confidential and independent advice on how to manage debt problems.
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/

On student life:

The Times
www.timesonline.co.uk

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