David

[quote user="SaligoBay"][quote user="David"] We bank with a small country town branch of Credit Agricole.  ................ For me this is typical of France, [/quote]   That's nice, David.   But if you're allowed to claim that your good experience in one small country town branch is typical of the entire country, then surely Jura is allowed to too?   [/quote] You misread my post SaligoBay.  Based on my own experience, I was just putting an alternative view to that of Jura in order to give a balance for those who are not familiar with French banking.  I am sure that my experience is not typical of the entire country, Paris for example. Thank you for your comments greyman, you put it much better and more concisely than I ever could. David

Sorry, but I must put the other side of Jura's post. We bank with a small country town branch of Credit Agricole.  Sure, sometimes there is a wait to see the teller while she discusses matters with the people in front.  If the wait is too long, then another teller is called out. Once we reach the front, the teller takes note of our problem, and deals with it in an humane way.  She discusses our problems, and ensures that we have the correct solution for us.  Sometimes she also asks us how we are managing, etc.  I must admit that we do not expect to be in and out within 30 seconds, and we allow time accordingly. I think this is proper banking of a type not seen in the UK for many years, where the bank actually seems to care about their clients. For me this is typical of France, where there is real concern for people, rather than the totally impersonal profit making machine that UK banking seems to have become. Also, we have not noticed any excessive charges, we just enjoy the personal banking provided by CA, and we have no complaints at all. This is France, to borrow a phrase - lie back and enjoy it. David

SD, As usual a superb answer. Howsabout offering a service to help us all complete our tax returns this year?  For a fee of course! David

Try a farmers or builders supermarket such as Espace Emeraud, or Cana.  Perhaps Brico Pro. David

I have had a pm from someone asking about 100% cover for a particular item of hospital surgery.  It seems they have an E121 issued for long term incapacity benefit, but they have been making enquiries about cover ahead of time and been told that a particular item is not covered, even though it actually relates to a condition on the ALD list. The edited question was:- Quote xxxxxx receives long term Incapacity benifit from the Uk For most stuff he does get 100 but when there is a queerie as to a condition for example he has to have an operation in a few weeks time on an internal problem which we know is a result of his "xxxx - item on ALD list", seems there is a ? as to whether Securite sociale will cover it 100%, however if it should be that due to his E121 he gets it all covered perhaps I've not used a 'magic' word to get them to understand this. As it stands at the moment, we are going to see our GP next week and ask him for an attestation to say he shoudl reeive 100%. Unquote It seems to me that this is a problem of medical suppliers such as doctors, pharmacies, hospitals etc, rather than CPAM,  not understanding about 100% reimbursement, and giving wrong advice.  I also wonder if this is where the misconception that the 100% cover only applies to the ALD list comes from, and perhaps this is leading to widespread confusion, so I decided to edit the pm for anonimity and post it here. I therefore answered as follows:- Quote I am afraid that I am not an expert on these matters, and you should really ask Cooperlola about this. I can only speak for myself, and what I have found. Do you have a written attestation from your CPAM office, as well as your plastic carte vitale (cv)?  You should receive one of these each year.  This attestation should clearly state that you receive 100%. We live in an area with few Brits, and few of them on 100%, and few unfit French people (they all seem to be super fit farmers who never take a day off sick) thus the local doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, etc are not familiar with this 100% allowance on all items.  They go into automatic ALD list mode. However, when we produce the written attestation they seem then to understand, and give the allowance, albeit with some amount of disbelief.  I have also seen them, particularly at the blood test laboratory and small pharmacies, look disbelieving at their screens when the cv tells them there is no charge.  They have even refused to give me the products without charge and told me that my cv was faulty!  This is usually, but not always, solved by showing them the attestation.  Here I have learnt to go with the flow, let them charge me, and wait for the reimbursement from CPAM. However, for a potentially large item such as yours, you must be certain, therefore you really should check with Cooperlola, and I suggest you also go to your local CPAM office, and ask their advice. Unquote. Perhaps I should have said at the end, check with CPAM and not your GP, as your GP will not understand the 100%, and will only refer to the ALD list. I wonder if Coops would like to comment on this - I would be grateful if Coops would correct me if I have given poor advice. David

Benjamin, Thanks. What gracious and reasonable postings you have made today, being prepared to listen and check.  I wish some other posters could take note of a reasoned discussion without getting up on high horses, declaring incorrect "facts", and then leaving the thread without comment when they are shown to be wrong. David

[quote user="cooperlola"] Certainly, it is a UK matter.  If one can keep one's head down - as in Benjamin's o/h's case - then fine, but if CPAMs are clamping down then this issue will raise its head again and again. We (FHI) asked elsewhere for suggestions for where our group might go next, and I think this subject is worthy of scrutiny, at least.  I'm pretty certain this is why Mr Fulton mentioned it to me! [/quote] That would be excellent Coops.  If your group could take this up, I am sure many deserving people would benefit at a time when they might need it most. All best, David

Hi Benjamin, Thanks for your very helpful reply.  I agree with your point that receipt of an incapacity benefit does not automatically give entitlement to 100% reimbursement in France. However, if your E121 is issued for "Invalidity", then this does give entitlement to 100% reimbursement on all matters, not just the 30 or so ALDs.   Coops, I fear you have it exactly correct.  On reaching state retirement age, an E121 issued for invalidity would have to be exchanged for an E121 based on reaching state retirement age.  It seems to me that the main difference is that, as you say, the change will mean losing the 100% allowance on illnesses not on the ALD list, and having to take out top up insurance.   This seems to me to be a bit harsh, as the invalid is still an invalid, rather than a healthy retiree.  Further, a UK person (I do not know about France) having been an invalid for a lengthy period of time, the invalid's private or company pension, if they have one, is likely to be much less than that of a healthy retiree.  If the people only have the basic state pension for income, then how can they afford top up insurance?  Will the top up insurance be more expensive for an invalid than a healthy retiree? I really cannot see the justifiable reasoning of taking away the 100% allowance on non ALD illnesses, just because an invalid reaches state retirement age.  After all, there is no change in work status. I wonder if, when CPAM ask for the replacement E121, there is any way for an invalid to appeal to the UK, and request a replacement E121 based on invalidity so they can retain the 100% allowance on all matters?  Has anyone researched this aspect? David  

Benjamin, Mrs. Benjamin seems to have direct experience of exchanging her long term incapacity benefit E121 for a state retirement age E121. If it is not too personal a question, can you tell us what, if any, differences she found in medical allowances in France based on the different E121 forms? David

I think that there is an aspect of rothrugby's question which is a very valid point, which has not yet been answered, and which may apply to many people who have been forced to take early retirement on health grounds. When a person reaches official retirement age, I am clear that monetary payments from UK such as incapacity benefit, carers allowance, old age or state pensions, etc. will change.  For example the incapacity benefit will be replaced by the state pension. However, if we consider only the benefit entitlement that an E121 brings to the holder of the E121 in France what, if any, medical benefits might change? That is, on reaching state retirement age will an E121, which was awarded due to invalidity, be replaced by an E121 awarded for reaching state retirement age? If so what are the differences in benefit under the French health system? For example, a person who has an E121 due to invalidity, will receive in France 100% reimbursement of CPAM allowed scale of charges (convention) on ALL medical items, for ALL illnesses, except blue label medicines which is 35%, spectacles and dentists.  Also any hospital, doctor or specialists costs which exceed 100% of convention are not covered. I doubt if a top up insurer would be pleased to insure such a person reaching state retirement age, particularly if they were keeping poorly and incurring a lot of medical costs.  If they did I imagine that they would charge a fortune in premiums, but I have not asked, and I am not asking that question on this thread. When that person reaches 60 or 65 will their E121, which is based on invalidity, be replaced by an E121 based on state retirement age? If so will they lose their 100% allowance?  After all they are still an invalid, and not a healthy retiree! Or does the E121 based on retirement age also give cover of 100% of CPAM approved scale of charges on all items? If not, any ideas why not? David

Mogs, The problem you are having sounds similar to a problem I had with my laptop. Eventually I went to the tools menu in both internet explorer and outlook express.  For Internet Explorer I went to tools, Internet Options, connections, and checked all the settings.  In particular I checked the "never dial a connection" box, that is, I clicked on the little button beside the "never dial a connection" so the button had a green dot in the centre. After that I had no more problems.  I think that somehow this button had been cleared, and although the laptop had recognised the livebox, it was trying to connect to a dial up connection through the livebox rather than connect to the broadband. This may not be your problem, but it is very simple to check and may be worth a try. Good luck, David

My name's David, does that count? David  [8-)]

Just a thought, On the pc have you gone to tools, internet options, and checked which type of connection the pc is trying to connect to?  i.e., is the "never dial a connection" tab checked? David

With a view to the impending annual French tax declaration, I wonder what the system is for pension funds in UK which have not matured. I have in mind private personal pension funds, which have been bought privately out of lump sum money, but which are not yet due to pay out a pension.  That is, presently no payment in, and no funds being taken out.  The funds are dormant waiting until pensionable age. I also wonder what the position is with PEPS and ISAs which have not matured, but just sit waiting until the due date. I am clear that French tax will be due when the funds mature, and start paying out, but what is the position until then? [8-)] David

Steve, Please, please, please post your recipe for moles. David

We must have been lucky.  On Wednesday the local farmer knocked down our telephone line. I called France Telecom 1013 on my mobile and got through almost immediately. The line was repaired within 24 hours. David

You should contact the manager of Cheminees Philippe in Bressuire. Although he is French, he is a pipe major, runs the town twinning committee, and brings over the Scottish Highland games every summer. David

You may be correct Artsole, in which case apologies to the OP  [:(] However, I did read the bit about clerical work, and the general tone of the post.  Anyway, it tied it into the OP instead of hijacking the post [;-)] David

You should try Speed Ferries.  The new terminal is at the west of Dover, and it is almost directly onto the dual carriageway. David

Want2move09, I take your point about losing your ICB once you start receiving your work related pension.  You must contact the ICB people for a definitive answer for your particular case, but when I raised this possibility with them I received a very encouraging answer. Apparently if I received a pension in excess of a certain amount, then the ICB payments would decrease.  As the pension level rose, then the ICB payment level decreased until eventually I would not receive any ICB benefit payment at all. HOWEVER, they were adamant that even if I received no ICB payment because of receiving a pension, I would still be entitled to an E121. Thus I suggest you should maintain your long term incapacity benefit, and as soon as you move here you should apply for an E121.  Providing you keep your E121, you and your husband should have no problem in joining the French health system. Hope this is clear, David    

Artsole, I fully agree with you about "just being a gypsy", but I know that I am a bit too old and fuddy duddy to be able to just leave it all behind, and I suspect that that might also apply to the OP Mark. At my age and health I would also need to consider health services, doctors and infirmiers. I think that before taking off for months in a camper van I, and I think Mark too, would need to consider the downsides and solve them. Perhaps a new thread?  If so which section of this forum? David

The idea of travelling round Europe/France has much merit, and I could get excited about it. However there seem to be some downsides, which I am sure can be overcome, but I cannot see how.  Perhaps someone can advise. Most importantly how do you cope with postal services?  In particular invoices, tax demands, household bills - assuming you keep a house. How do you cope with banking services, transfers of funds, etc. Television I can understand, but what about internet access? Etc., etc.  The regular unavoidable details of life. It seems to me that it is important to solve these aspects before taking off into the French wide blue yonder. Perhaps this might form a new thread? David

Many thanks for that.  I will pick up a padded envelope tomorrow. David

The OH has bought our daughter an expensive necklace (about 200 euros) for her birthday, and now we have to ship it back to the UK.  It is gift wrapped in a pretty but heavy box. I am confused about the new regs for post in France. The parcel weighs 450 grammes, and is sized 23 cm x 16cm x 4.5 cm. Can we send this by ordinary post, but insured?  If so what do we ask for, and what packaging should we use?  I thought of a bubble wrap type envelope. Many thanks in advance, David [8-)] Edited - managed to reduce the weight a little bit.

Very true Jon, Fully agree.  However, when we bought six years ago, prices in north Deux-Sevres were on the up, and I think they still might be. I was not trying to say "do not negotiate", I was trying to say treat the seller with respect, or you may regret it, rather than the cavalier "who cares, you will never see them again". David