No clue on how to get vouchers for glasses-Pension Credit with the Guarantee element

happythom_316

Hi, asking here on behalf of my mother.
She does not have clue on how to get vouchers for glasses to cover their cost. My mother needs either bifocal or varifocal (any of those will work for her), and without glasses she can't neither read nor see the distance.
Does she need to go straight to the optician? Does she need to get a certificate from the NHS first? Can she choose any glasses of her preference or do they have to be "NHS" labeled glasses??
How does this work?
She receives Pension Credit with the Guarantee credit element included and she is also a patient with diabetic retinopathy (going under treatment now)

All help and tips with this will be extremely appreciated.

TIA.

molerat

The optician provides the voucher so you need to tell them when you book in. The voucher has a £ value so can be used against any glasses you wish but you will need to make up the difference. The links below show what proofs you need to take in with you and the value of the vouchers.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-voucher-values-for-glasses-and-lenses/

bluenose1

This isn’t the correct board so will probably be moved.
However she would just to the Opticians, and I expect they would want to see proof she is in receipt of an eligible benefit. She will get an optical voucher which I assume will pay for the full cost of the basic glasses. Though assume she can pay the difference if wanting a more expensive pair.
The below advises more.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/

bluenose1

molerat wrote: »

The optician provides the voucher so you need to tell them when you book in. The voucher has a £ value so can be used against any glasses you wish but you will need to make up the difference. The links below show what proofs you need to take in with you and the value of the vouchers.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-voucher-values-for-glasses-and-lenses/

Beat me to it:)

happythom_316

bluenose1 wrote: »

This isn’t the correct board so will probably be moved.
However she would just to the Opticians, and I expect they would want to see proof she is in receipt of an eligible benefit. She will get an optical voucher which I assume will pay for the full cost of the basic glasses. Though assume she can pay the difference if wanting a more expensive pair.
The below advises more.

What's the correct board?

molerat

As with all NHS free treatments / vouchers the important thing to remember is that she is responsible for ensuring that she is entitled to help and has to sign accordingly. The optician may not be very diligent in checking her entitlement which could lead to a penalty if not entitled. On the face of it she is entitled but she needs to make certain herself.

molerat

happythom_316 wrote: »

What's the correct board?

Most likely the Benefits board where there will be more people who know how the systems work https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

whizzywoo

Recently had to contact the NHS and Opticians concerning this same matter.

The advice from both was to take to the Opticians the latest award letter of Guarantee Pension credit. Make sure her name and address is on the letter and that it specifies Guarantee Credit.

Apparently that's all that's needed. Can't confirm it as I've not been to the Optician yet.

Mojisola

whizzywoo wrote: »

Recently had to contact the NHS and Opticians concerning this same matter.

The advice from both was to take to the Opticians the latest award letter of Guarantee Pension credit. Make sure her name and address is on the letter and that it specifies Guarantee Credit.

Apparently that's all that's needed. Can't confirm it as I've not been to the Optician yet.

That's what my parents used to do - they didn't get a physical voucher, the optician just deducted the money off the bill.