Free glasses on Universal credit rules?

alric

I had an eye test last week and was told Id qualify for free glasses.
I became unemployed on 3rd Jan this year, and have got no payments yet from Univ.credit.
What do I need to prove to the optician's that I am eligible?
Do I just get a receipt from them and send it in with  form HC5, or do I need an NHS optical voucher first?
I tried looking on the gov.uk site but am going round in circles

Muttleythefrog

alric said:

I had an eye test last week and was told Id qualify for free glasses.
I became unemployed on 3rd Jan this year, and have got no payments yet from Univ.credit.
What do I need to prove to the optician's that I am eligible?
Do I just get a receipt from them and send it in with  form HC5, or do I need an NHS optical voucher first?
I tried looking on the gov.uk site but am going round in circles

Normally you'd just tell the optician you qualify for free eye test and help with the cost of glasses (an optical voucher)... they then may ask how you qualify and some may ask for proof. You may have to retrospectively show them your first Universal Credit statement if they ask - I trust this would cover the test date and voucher issue but you will have to check you do indeed qualify (see below image for guidance) as you may have earnings in first assessment period.

The opticians themselves should handle the paperwork (aside from needing your signatures) and advise on what optical voucher level you qualify for (it varies depending on how bad the eye sight basically) and indeed what options they have and costs (if any) for what they recommend in terms of frames/glasses they offer (sometimes your glasses will be free but it'll probably depend on factors like the frames you choose). You can take your optical voucher (I think it's actually an electronic code) to another optician if you wanted to along with prescription details.

As opticians... certainly the high street names... are dealing with people entitled to help with healthcare costs day in day out... if you have any queries unresolved I'd just contact them... it'll all be routine stuff for them. 

I attach a screenshot from the bottom of my last UC statement which shows the information relevant and that you should also see soon with similar details on your first. You can use such to prove entitlement to things like these healthcare costs, free prescriptions and some travel costs refunds if say you're referred to a hospital appointment. You should normally get your statements within a couple of days of the end of your month long assessment periods. Important to note your take home pay could be relevant if having just ended employment - things like help with cost of glasses and free NHS eye tests are not just dependant on you getting UC but on pay received.

Spoonie_Turtle

I'd just wait until you have your first UC statement (should be available on the 3rd Feb or within a couple of days of that date), then that's your proof and you can just show them that.

Edit: see HSB's questions below, I'm evidently not reading things properly right now and misunderstood your post, sorry.

HillStreetBlues

You might want to wait to get glasses.
When did you claim UC and when and how much was your last wages paid? Do you have responsibly for a child
It might be the case you don't qualify in your first AP, but will in second with Nil earnings.

alric

HillStreetBlues said:

You might want to wait to get glasses.
When did you claim UC and when and how much was your last wages paid? Do you have responsibly for a child
It might be the case you don't qualify in your first AP, but will in second with Nil earnings.

i got my last weeks wages 8 Jan, signed on 4 Jan
My next univ cred  statement will be ready on 4 February 2025
no dependants

HillStreetBlues

alric said:

HillStreetBlues said:

You might want to wait to get glasses.
When did you claim UC and when and how much was your last wages paid? Do you have responsibly for a child
It might be the case you don't qualify in your first AP, but will in second with Nil earnings.

i got my last weeks wages 8 Jan, signed on 4 Jan
My next univ cred  statement will be ready on 4 February 2025
no dependants

How much was your wages?  as that can affect your first UC payment.

EDIT if your wages you were paid on the 8th Jan were over £435 then you wasn't entitled to a free NHS eye test via UC, but some options do them for free.
You won't also be entitled to free glasses via UC until at least 4th March.
To get a glasses voucher under UC you need to have take home pay less than £435 in the previous AP.

alric

ye it was less than 435 take home pay,, so i can get free glasses 4feb?

Muttleythefrog

alric said:

ye it was less than 435 take home pay,, so i can get free glasses 4feb?

You can get an optical voucher... that may or may not translate as free glasses as there are factors to consider like how bad your eye sight is and whether you like fancy frames or upgrades to lenses etc... for the big high street franchises they tend to have really cheap frame options meaning free glasses is an option for most. At the opticians they'll advise both on the value of voucher you qualify for and what options you have (they may try to upsell so beware!).

But if your earnings are as described then this UC assessment period probably will mean you qualify. The statement itself assuming UC have the correct information on earnings... should show the details and be your proof if you do indeed qualify.

born_again

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/nhs-voucher-values-for-glasses-and-lenses/