My husband took ill during a recent trip abroad and we racked up some medical expenses.  One of the things our insurance company has asked for is a completed and signed Department of Working Pensions Form.  What is this and where do I get it?  I've googled, but haven't found my answer.

Thanks in advance for your help.  :)

Did you visit an EEC country? It could be that they are asking for what used to be called an E111 form - may have changed it's name now but not sure? The form I mentioned is the one you apply for when going to an EEC country and I believe it entitles you to claim back some of the medical expenses you may have been charged if taken ill in one of the countries it covers. It's a long time since I had any dealings with the forms but I believe the free cover from the government gave you cover equal to that which is provided by the government of the country you visit.

I would imagine the small print of your insurance policy may state somewhere that they won't pay for any expenses that would be covered under the free scheme and they want sight of the form you would have been issued. It's like a credit card now rather than a paper form I think.

Hopefully if you google E111 you can find some up to date information as my experiences are from a few years back.  If you didn't visit an EEC country then I have no idea what they are asking for :-)

Here you go Earl - The new so called E111 card application
http://www.e111.org.uk/

Outside the EU then you don't get cover, so this would be down to your own personal travel insurance.

Apply online for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) using this website: https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

This is the official website.  Others, including the one linked to above, will charge you for making the application even though the card is available completely free of charge.

Doh!!! Didn't read the fine print, thanks Jules :-)

I think you need to apply for this BEFORE you go abroad.  Don't know how you will stand if you apply retrospectively.

Yes - you need to apply before you go on holiday.

Does your husband receive a state pension?  I wonder if they are looking for something from the Department of Work and Pensions?

I'd give them a ring and ask them direct :)  Hope you get it sorted

Thanks everyone. We were in Fuerteventura in the Canaries. We do have the EHIC cards so hopefully that will suffice. Will call Direct Line this morning and find out if that's what they are looking for.

Thanks everyone. We were in Fuerteventura in the Canaries. We do have the EHIC cards so hopefully that will suffice. Will call Direct Line this morning and find out if that's what they are looking for.

We're not old enough to receive a pension yet.  :)

Having contacted Direct Line it would appear that we do not need this form after all.  :)