30 Under 30 Europe 2024
Vision is one of the most important senses of our body. We use our eyes almost all day unless we are sleeping. Just like us, our eyes get old with time and suffer from various defects that need to be cured through eye correction devices. According to the reports by WHO, nearly 2.2 billion people have near or far vision problems. Most people use devices such as eyeglasses to correct their vision, but since the prices for glasses are a bit steep, they look for an efficient alternative.
Having said that, getting prescription glasses in the UK is more like burning a hole in your pocket. Due to that, many people either don’t go for eye tests or skip getting glasses. The National Health System also known as NHS issued optical vouchers for individuals that help them get their eyes tested and even buy prescription glasses. If you don’t have an NHS voucher, you can secure a FREE eye test at Specscart store. Therefore, in this blog, we will discuss everything related to NHS Optical Vouchers.
What is an NHS Optical Voucher?
The National Health System of the United Kingdom offers a cut-off on the prices of eyeglasses with vouchers. NHS provides vouchers for free eye tests, and optical vouchers are something that comes in addition to that.
Vouchers are printed paper with government approval to give the entitled holder a discount on lenses and glasses. You get a reduced cost on your glasses, which you would typically pay for more. However, NHS vouchers are not for everyone to use, and you have to meet the required criteria to get the benefits of discounted eye health care.
How to Qualify for NHS Free Test?
NHS offers free eye tests to individuals who fall under certain conditions. Here are some conditions you must check to qualify for the NHS Free Eye test.
- Individuals under 16 years of age
- Individuals with age of 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
- Individuals of 60 or over
- Registered as partially sighted or blind
- Individuals diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- Individuals aged 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
- Been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you're at risk of glaucoma
- Prisoner on leave from prison
- Eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optician can advise you about your entitlement
Individuals or their partners, including civil partners or under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you are entitled to or named on any of the following, you may qualify:
- A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate: If you don't have the certificate, you can present your award notice. Eligibility applies if you receive Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits (with a disability element or both), and your income for tax credit purposes is £15,276 or less.
- A valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).
- An NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3): This may also provide assistance with the cost of a private sight test.
How to Get NHS Glasses Voucher?
As we already mentioned, the NHS has criteria for people to fulfil to be eligible for the vouchers. NHS vouchers help people with the cost of buying glasses if they fall under the given rules:
- Individuals under 16 years of age
- An individual with the age of 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (this includes being taught full-time at a school, college, university or at home)
- A prisoner on leave from prison
- If eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher, an optician can advise you about your entitlement.
Individuals or their partners, including civil partners or under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving:
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit and meet the criteria
If you are entitled to or named on any of the following, you may qualify:
- a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice), you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2)
- People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
The Process to Get NHS Voucher
- Once you know that you are eligible for an NHS voucher, book an eye test just to declare that you qualified for the free eye examination and hence the NHS optical voucher.
- Once you do that, your optician will provide you with a yellow paper called a GOS3 optical voucher where your prescription is mentioned.
- Make sure that the GOS3 has the optometrist's name, ophthalmic list number, prescription details, the optometrist's signature, and the date of the exam mentioned in the front section of the form.
- You can now use the GOS3 at any retail eyewear store that accepts NHS vouchers or any opticians.
- 10 Different NHS Vouchers
- Age and Education
- Income-related Benefits
- Tax Credits
- HC2 or HC3 Certificate
- Special Medical Conditions
The different types of voucher value given to you by the NHS, depend on the strength of your prescription. Your opticians will recommend which voucher to opt for based on the condition of your vision and prescription. Here are the listed vouchers for single-vision and bifocal/varifocal glasses:
How to Get Refund?
There are two ways to get a refund from NHS and both of them are mentioned below for your understanding.
Sight Test Fees: You might have paid for the sight test but think you might qualify for an NHS voucher or you are about to have a test, ask your optometrist for a receipt that shows you have paid for the test and the date of the payment made. Once that is done, download, print, and return an HC5(O) refund form with the receipt.
Lost or Damaged Glasses or Contact Lenses: If you have lost or damaged your glasses or content lenses and have paid for the same, then you can get a refund if you are eligible for the voucher.
How We Can Help You?
Do you want a free eye exam even if you don't fulfil the NHS eligibility requirement for a free eye test? Don't worry; we’ve got you covered. Specscart provides comprehensive eye tests for free to every person because we understand the high cost of eye tests in the market.
You can also get NHS free eye tests and optical vouchers here, but even if you are not qualified for the NHS free service, you can always come to us. We also provide thousands of fashion-forward frames sorted in different colours, styles, designs, and materials for prescription and non-prescription lenses at 70% lower prices than the high street opticians. Not only that, but all lenses are decked with free protective add-ons like anti-glare, anti-UV, anti-scratch, and impact resistance.
FAQ’s
How do I qualify for an NHS voucher for glasses?
You may qualify for an NHS voucher for glasses if you meet these criteria:
How much is an NHS glasses voucher worth?
The NHS optical voucher ranges from £42.40 to £233.56. You will get a voucher for you depending upon your need & power.
Will NHS pay for my glasses?
NHS provides free eye tests and vouchers for glasses that help you get glasses at a discount if you fulfil its criteria. Unfortunately, it does not offer free glasses. However, if your glasses fall under the range then they will be free.
What is a voucher for glasses?
An NHS voucher for glasses is a financial aid provided to help cover the cost of prescription glasses or contact lenses for eligible individuals. After an NHS-funded eye test, your optician will issue the voucher if you're entitled. It can be redeemed at participating opticians and applied toward the cost of your eyewear.
Terrible
Bad
Okay
Good
Amazing
Google
