Just got Tax Credit exemption certificate..

charlottevwa

Hi. not posted on this board before, but i have a quick question...

Just got a tax credit exemption certificate through the door (for free nhs stuff)
I am a stay at home mother, Last year my husband only earnt £13,000 as he was out of work for a little while, but this year he is going to earn above £20K... we have informed the tax credit office about this, and they sent through an awards letter the other day confirming this, and they are still paying us alot of tax credits.. which i am assuming is because they work on last years wages?

Anyways, my point is, should we have these certificates, even though he is earning alot more this year? seems odd to me.
If everything is normal, and we should have these... then i was wondering how much we are entitled to off contacts and glasses? as i got some the other day, and would like a partial refund like it says on the letter.. just want to know how much.

Hope this makes sense.
Thanks

msmicawber

Hi Charlotte - have a look here for information about the optical voucher and refund on your specs: http://www.twcsa.nhs.uk/how_to/optical_voucher.htm

I think you've been given the voucher and the increased payments as the Tax Credits have been based on last year's income. It won't be the same next year, but I wouldn't worry since as long as the household income doesn't increase more than £25k in a year, you won't be in an overpayment situation, you'll just be eligible for a lower rate of tax credits next year as they will be based on this year's salary. (The exemption certificate probably won't be issued again next year, so make the most of it!)

charlottevwa

Thanks for a very helpful response!!
yes i am aware i wont have it next year, so i am trying to think of as many ways as possible to use it to save money now! OH is in desperate need of new glasses, so he will be happy for that, and very happy to get a refund on my new contacts ... Thats more money to put towards the debts now! talk about money saving! hehe

Very glad to hear we wont be paying any overpayment... my husband is really fretting about that, he is worried tax credits have got things mixed up... and with a new baby on the way in january 09, we wont be able to afford to pay anything back in April!

Thanks again

bexsmum

Hi There,
Can anyone tell me how much you are entitled to....
I've gone to the same optician for about 15 years. He reduced my monthly contact lens payment to £15 a month (from £20) but I was thinking about ordering my contacts off the internet as its less than £15 a month and I'm not sure but I think I'll get free eye tests if I need them?
Is this right?
Thanks, Bexsmum

charlottevwa

yep you will get free eye tests bexsmum... im going to claim back money for mine. and money on my contacts too.

BARGAINHUNTER!

charlottevwa wrote: »

yep you will get free eye tests bexsmum... im going to claim back money for mine. and money on my contacts too.

You can't use you exemption certificate to claim back money im afraid. I have one too, and am on a monthly payment plan with Specsavers for my contacts £10 a month for solutions and monthly disposables. When I got sent the certificate I contacted Specsavers to ask how it worked with my monthly plan, and they explained that the certificate entitled me to a free NHS eye test, which is different from a contact lens eye test. Also, the certificate would not cover the monthly cost of my contacts. What I was able to do was to get an NHS eye test for new glasses (I wear these to give my eyes a break from time to time) and some money towards new glasses (Can't remember how much, but I could have had some completely free but very very limited choice and horrible. I ended up selecting a pair at £75 and paying the difference) What I would advise is that you both get eye tests, new glasses if needed, trips to dentist and any medication whilst you have the certificate.

BARGAINHUNTER!

bexsmum wrote: »

Hi There,
Can anyone tell me how much you are entitled to....
I've gone to the same optician for about 15 years. He reduced my monthly contact lens payment to £15 a month (from £20) but I was thinking about ordering my contacts off the internet as its less than £15 a month and I'm not sure but I think I'll get free eye tests if I need them?
Is this right?
Thanks, Bexsmum

You need a current prescription for contact lenses in order to order contact lenses over the net. A normal NHS eye sight test is not sufficient, and unfortunately this is all the NHS exemption certificate entitles you to. I have ordered them in the past over the net and they are not allowed by law to sell them to you unless you provide them with the contact lens prescription which must be valid (I think they last for 2 years before you need your eyes checking again)

I currently get sent contact lenses from specsavers (1 three month pack every 3 months) and I have just had a letter from them saying that my contact lens prescription has run out, therefore the pack has been delivered to my branch. In order for the branch to give me the pack I need to make an appointment with them for my contact lens check)

My children currently wear glasses, and I enquiried about contacts for them. As they are under 16 they get free NHS eye sight test and money towards glasses anyway, but opticians told me that I would have to pay for the contact lens sight test, fitting and checks and the lenses themselves as the NHS do not provide these, despite my children being under 16. Most people actually have a slightly different prescription for their contact lenses than for their glasses.

BARGAINHUNTER!

charlottevwa wrote: »

Thanks for a very helpful response!!
yes i am aware i wont have it next year, so i am trying to think of as many ways as possible to use it to save money now! OH is in desperate need of new glasses, so he will be happy for that, and very happy to get a refund on my new contacts ... Thats more money to put towards the debts now! talk about money saving! hehe

Very glad to hear we wont be paying any overpayment... my husband is really fretting about that, he is worried tax credits have got things mixed up... and with a new baby on the way in january 09, we wont be able to afford to pay anything back in April!

Thanks again

If you want to claim money back for your contacts, have a look at the HSA scheme. I pay nearly £9 a month, but it allows me to claim money back for my lenses each year, as well as any dental treatment I have to pay for that isn't covered by the NHS exemption certificate, as well as some other stuff I can claim some money for as well if need be (hospital stays etc)

SuziQ

My children currently wear glasses, and I enquiried about contacts for them. As they are under 16 they get free NHS eye sight test and money towards glasses anyway, but opticians told me that I would have to pay for the contact lens sight test, fitting and checks and the lenses themselves as the NHS do not provide these, despite my children being under 16. Most people actually have a slightly different prescription for their contact lenses than for their glasses.

That is really odd. My daughter has been using contact lenses for 3 years (she's almost 18 now) and I have never paid for her contact lens eye test or after care-all I have ever paid for is the lenses themselves and she also gets a free pair of glasses every 12 months.
Does it depend on the optician? I have only had an exception certifiate for a month following my marriage breakdown in April so wasn't even getting it as exempt last year.

BARGAINHUNTER!

SuziQ wrote: »

That is really odd. My daughter has been using contact lenses for 3 years (she's almost 18 now) and I have never paid for her contact lens eye test or after care-all I have ever paid for is the lenses themselves and she also gets a free pair of glasses every 12 months.
Does it depend on the optician? I have only had an exception certifiate for a month following my marriage breakdown in April so wasn't even getting it as exempt last year.

No, it shouldn't depend on the optician! Im going to give them a ring to ask again tomorrow. If you have an exemption certificate surely the optician gets reimbursed by the government.

Titch89

With children, I think the NHS will only pay a certain amount. I do know a parent who was recommended to get reactions lens for her son (he has Albianism) and had to pay a certain amount towards the lenses.