Home eye tests

luminated

I understand you can have an eye test at home which I never knew. I've been trying to go to the opticians since last April but so far no success because of being so poorly.

But if you have a home test will the glasses end up costing you more than my usual Specsavers ones?

Horseunderwater

Are you on an income related benefit? If so you may be able to get NHS vouchers to cover the 1st £64.20 of the lenses and frames.
If you are on ESA main rate either WRAG or Support then you just need to show the visiting tester the letter and complete a form there and then for the voucher and the test will also be free of charge as well.

luminated

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Are you on an income related benefit? If so you may be able to get NHS vouchers to cover the 1st £64.20 of the lenses and frames.
If you are on ESA main rate either WRAG or Support then you just need to show the visiting tester the letter and complete a form there and then for the voucher and the test will also be free of charge as well.

Both on state pension, me on DLA MRC & HRM and we have just gone on HB/CTB as saving dipped below the magic figure.

pmlindyloo

luminated wrote: »

Both on state pension, me on DLA MRC & HRM and we have just gone on HB/CTB as saving dipped below the magic figure.

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

This would passport you for the vouchers mentioned.

luminated

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

This would passport you for the vouchers mentioned.

No to pension credit as it was looked I at the point of being advised of my forthcoming OAP and our weekly income was over the threshold.

pmlindyloo

luminated wrote: »

No to pension credit as it was looked I at the point of being advised of my forthcoming OAP and our weekly income was over the threshold.

Sorry, didn't realise I was replying to the same person on two different forums (housing)

Thrown by the state pension but see you have private pensions too so no Pension Credit.

Will see if you can get glasses vouchers if you are on HB.

Back in a moment.

pmlindyloo

OK, doesn't look like you would qualify for help because of the HB.

Just wondering if you would qualify through the low income help with NHS costs.

Mmmm - not sure. Wonder if the sever disability premiums might apply?

Anyway, don't ask, don't get, so here is a link to get the form or contact them (there's a telephone number as well where you could ask before you fill in the form)

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/healthcosts/1128.aspx

luminated

pmlindyloo wrote: »

OK, doesn't look like you would qualify for help because of the HB.

Just wondering if you would qualify through the low income help with NHS costs.

Mmmm - not sure. Wonder if the sever disability premiums might apply?

Anyway, don't ask, don't get, so here is a link to get the form or contact them (there's a telephone number as well where you could ask before you fill in the form)

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/healthcosts/1128.aspx

Thank you for your help. I think my main concern was being ripped off because of requesting a home test. The other thought is to ring the optician on the odd days where I feel 'not too bad' to see if they have any spaces.

pmlindyloo

Specsavers do home visits but not in all areas.

Give them a ring and find out. If your local one doesn't do home visits then they will probably direct you to one that does. You can ask if it's more expensive while you're on the phone.

GlasweJen

The domicillary eye service varies by area. Quite often it is a company like specsavers who cover "doms", sometimes it is an independent optician who does home care only and sometimes it is the hospital eye service who send out home visits.

If you qualify for a domicillary visit (again goes by area) you are not obliged to purchase your glasses from the person who does the test. This is also true if you are entitled to a voucher towards the cost of your glasses.

If you are entitled to a voucher make sure you get it before the optometrist leaves as it must be the optom who does the test who issues the voucher, no other optom can sign your voucher under any circumstances.

Doms are like any other optician and often have a "budget" option. Most of their customers are housebound and don't have massive incomes.

luminated

Thanks all for your help :beer: