Request

1. ‘On the list of exemptions on the FP17PR, how many people ticked the box that says: “Patient/partner gets income-based Job Seekers Allowance” In the 22/23 financial year and the 23/24 financial year?
2. How many people have contacted the NHSBSA to say that they were unaware that there were two kinds of Job Seekers Allowance?
3. How many people were sent a PCN for ticking a box about income based JSA when they receive contributions based JSA in 22/23 and 23/24.
4. How many people paid those PCNs in 22/23 and 23/24.
5. If there is a difference between the number of PCNs issued and the number paid, please explain why.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 8 August 2024.

On 30 August 2024, you clarified your request as follows:

• Question 3 refers to dental charge PCNs only

You also added the following question: 6. What are the figures for the total number of PCNs issued and the number paid

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

Our response

Question 1

‘On the list of exemptions on the FP17PR, how many people ticked the box that says: “Patient/partner gets income-based Job Seekers Allowance” In the 22/23 financial year and the 23/24 financial year?

Under Section 21 of the FOIA we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.

The data for 2022-23 is published in the annual dental statistics which is in the following location, see ‘NHS Dental Statistics for England - 2022/23: National overview’, table 1f contains the data requested:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-dental-statistics/2022-23-annual-report#resources

Data for 2023-24 is available in the following location:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

Question 2

How many people have contacted the NHSBSA to say that they were

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHS Business Services Authority. This information is not formally recorded in the course of business.

Questions 3 to 5

How many people were sent a PCN for ticking a box about income based JSA when they receive contributions based JSA in 22/23 and 23/24.

How many people paid those PCNs in 22/23 and 23/24.

If there is a difference between the number of PCNs issued and the number paid, please explain why.

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHS Business Services Authority. We do not know what benefits someone is actually claiming when an exemption is not confirmed.

NHSBSA check if patients hold a valid exemption. Where our checks cannot confirm this, we issue an enquiry letter asking the patient to let us know if they were exempt. If the patient can confirm an exemption their case will be closed, if the patient cannot show they were exempt a penalty charge is issued.

When claiming an exemption from NHS costs, patients have a duty of care and are responsible for knowing whether they have to pay NHS charges. When claiming an exemption a declaration is signed by the patient or their representative which states that the information is correct and that they understand a penalty charge notice may be issued if this is information is incorrect.

Question 6

What are the figures for the total number of PCNs issued and the number paid

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and a copy of it is attached.

This data covers 22/23 and 23/24 financial year.

Please note the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) paid indicates only those fully paid – it does not include any partially paid cases.

This data counts all PCNs issued where a Jobseeker’s Allowance exemption category was claimed, including both prescription and dental cases.

Data Queries

If you have any queries regarding the data provided, or if you plan on publishing, the data please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2024” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.