NHS Voucher for free Glasses

simon123

I am entitled to an NHS Voucher for free glasses. I purchased my glasses a few weeks ago but I STUPIDLY left them on the bus the other day. I have contacted the bus company but they have not beenhanded in.
Is there anything to stop me returning to an optician and getting another pair?
Or is there some kind of rule in order to stop people getting more than one pair?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

mandi

simon123 wrote:

I am entitled to an NHS Voucher for free glasses. I purchased my glasses a few weeks ago but I STUPIDLY left them on the bus the other day. I have contacted the bus company but they have not beenhanded in.
Is there anything to stop me returning to an optician and getting another pair?
Or is there some kind of rule in order to stop people getting more than one pair?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Simon,

Sorry about your glasses, but unfortunately your only allowed, one voucher every 2 years.. What about your home insurance.. does that cover Items away from Home?? May be worth a try.. Wear reading specs myself so I know how you must be feeling id be gutted if I lost mine.. sorry I cant be of more help

loracan1

Nhs voucher for free glasses - am I entitled to this if I receive working and childrens tax credit? I have one of the NHS exemption cards but thought it was just for dental and prescriptions.

claire1_2

Loracan1 - you can have you eye sight test free and so much towards a pair of specs. The NHS exemption card can be used for this. You don't have to send off for anything else.

Also, if your eyesight has changed within the two years, you will get your NHS sight test free and so much towards your glasses again. I asked about it at my opticians. They just thought I wanted another eye test, when, in fact, my eyesight had changed so much that I needed a new prescription. If this is the case then you are entitled to a free test

soon2bjobless

I have just been to Specsavers (this morning!) - its only been 18 months since my last visit but my eyes were getting worse so I needed a new prescription - I am on Jobseekers allowance and you dont have to wait for your 2 years are up for more free glasses if you do need them (ie your eyes have deterioated)

If you choose from their £39 range if you have a voucher you dont pay anything (I got my reading glasses from this range)

My ones I wear all the time I got from the £75 range and had to pay £15. They have a special offer on (BOGOF) so I chose another pair to be made into prescription sunglasses (again from the £75 range) and only had to pay £26.10 for these.

I think regarding WTC if your wages are over a certain amount you dont qualify for free eye tests/glasses - best to check it out.

squeaky

Could someone please tell me HOW to apply for this voucher? I haven't got a clue as to which form I would need to fill, nor where I might get one from.

TYIA

Phonix

Forget the NHS and take advantage of D&As offer instead.

http://www.danda.co.uk/opticians/promotions/detail.asp?campaign=58

I think you need to fill out a HC1 for free glasses.

Phonix

Another option is to buy the pair of glasses from a cheap online provider through quidco.

http://www.quidco.com/content/view/1284/80/

You'll get a 5% rebate.

Standard glasses on that site are £15.

Also,

Do you accept NHS Glasses Vouchers?
We now accept NHS optical vouchers by mail order. These will be provided by your optician subject to eligibility. There is often a note section on the back of your prescription that describes the terms of entitlement. If you are unsure we advise you to speak to your optician.

If you are sending us NHS vouchers with your prescription please make sure you fill in the declaration section (part 4) on the back.

It's just a shame you can't try them on. but I guess this is a cheap way of ontaining an extra pair.

However this goes someway toward solving the problem

Can I inspect the frames before purchase?
We understand that glasses are a personal choice and therefore we are very happy to offer our customers a trial service. You may order up to three pairs at time. To cover the labour, postage, packaging and VAT costs we charge a payment of £4.00 per pair of trial glasses which will be charged to your credit/debit card. This payment is not refundable once you place an order with us. This service is available by clicking on the 'Click here to try' within the product pages, or by calling us on 0871 42 500 42. The trial frame will be dispatched to you with a pre-paid return envelope.

squeaky

Phonix wrote:

I think you need to fill out a HC1 for free glasses.

hey! I've got one of those. Actually, you can get an HC1 from most chemists for free prescriptions (which is all I've ever used mine for). When filled in and sent off you get an HC2 should you qualify.

I quote from my form for sight tests:

When you go for your sight test, show this certificate and tell your optician that you are entitled to a free NHS sight test. You will be given a GOS1 form to fill in to apply for it. You will not get one unless you show your HC2 at the sight test.

Then for glasses and contact lenses:

This certificate entitles you to the full value of an NHS optical voucher. The value of your voucher will depend on your prescription - the person who tests your sight will be able to tell you how much this is. You can normally use your voucher at any optician, though not all opticians fit contact lenses.

Then there's more detail on using the GOS1 form and costs to you (if any).

HTH

simon123

Thanks for your reply to my question people. Good old MSE forum members... :T