Taxi fares to medical

I have been given a date for my medical and a taxi has been authorised. My nearest examination centre doesn't have an arrangement with a taxi company so I have been told I will have to pay for the taxi and then reclaim my expenses. Trouble is the fare will be around £40.00 each way and I wont be reimbursed for 10 days. £80.00 is a lot of money to lay out from incapacity benefit. Is there anything I can do?

Bob wrote:

I have been given a date for my medical and a taxi has been authorised. My nearest examination centre doesn't have an arrangement with a taxi company so I have been told I will have to pay for the taxi and then reclaim my expenses. Trouble is the fare will be around £40.00 each way and I wont be reimbursed for 10 days. £80.00 is a lot of money to lay out from incapacity benefit. Is there anything I can do?

Hi,

Perhaps you could try recontacting Medical Services and fully reinforcing the situation that you are not able to afford the taxi fares. Put it to them and see if they will budge on agreeing to foot the fares on the day.

Another way could be to try to get a home visit by the EMP?

My only other thought maybe a crisis/budgeting loan from the DWP if you are eligible although I have not heard of these being used for this situation before.

Pete