NHS Concesions
As registered NHS opticians we feel it is important to have an eye examination at least once every 2 years as this is a vital health check for your eyes. The NHS provides free eye tests and NHS optical vouchers to certain individuals who qualify. Please see the following criteria for further information.
You can get a free NHS sight Test if you are:
| You can get a free NHS sight test if you are: | The proof you need to have | Where and how to get proof |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 60 or over | Any official document showing your name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate, NHS medical card, passport, travel concession card, pension award notice, driving licence. | NHS medical cards are sent to you when you are first registered as a patient with a GP. If you need a card, contact your local Primary Care Trust. NOTE: Some Primary Care Trusts no longer issue NHS medical cards; in this case use one of the other documents mentioned. |
| Aged 40 and over and are the parent, brother, sister, or son or daughter of a person with glaucoma | An official document to prove your date of birth – see above. | NHS medical card – see above. |
| Registered severely sight-impaired /blind or sight-impaired/ partially sighted | Certificate of registration as severely sight-impaired/blind or sight-impaired/partially sighted. | Contact your local authority. |
| Suffering from diabetes | Repeat prescriptions card, out-patients appointment card, record of blood sugar readings. | Your GP, or your hospital diabetic or eye clinic. Your repeat prescription or outpatient card should show you are attending a diabetic clinic on a regular basis. |
| Suffering from glaucoma | Statement that you are a glaucoma sufferer. | Your GP, or your hospital eye clinic. |
| Considered to be at risk of glaucoma | Statement that you are at risk of developing glaucoma. | Your GP, or your hospital eye clinic. |
| In need of complex lenses | Take your existing glasses or existing optical prescription. | If you do not already have complex lenses, your optician will advise if you are eligible. |
You can get a free NHS sight test and an optical voucher (for glasses) if you are:
| You can get a free NHS sight test and an optical voucher if you are: | The proof you need to have | Where and how to get proof |
|---|---|---|
| Aged under 16 | Show your NHS medical card, current Child Benefit award notice, passport, birth certificate. | NHS medical cards are sent to you when you are first registered as a patient with a GP. If you need a card, contact your local Primary Care Trust. NOTE: Some Primary Care Trusts no longer issue NHS medical cards; in this case use one of the other documents mentioned. |
| Aged 16, 17 or 18 in full-time education | A current Child Benefit award notice or you can show proof of your date of birth, such as your birth certificate or passport, and proof that you are a full-time student. | The Child Benefit Centre. 0845 302 1444. Your school, college, university or your local education authority can give you proof that you are in qualifying full-time education |
| Receiving Income Support or your partner is receiving this benefit | An entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. | You have to claim the benefit at your Jobcentre Plus office (the address will be in your local telephone book). Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not income related. If payments are made into your bank or building society, you can obtain proof in the form of an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. |
| Receiving Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or your partner receiving this benefit | An entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. | You have to claim the benefit at your Jobcentre Plus office (the address will be in your local telephone book). Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance do not count as they are not income related. If payments are made into your bank or building society, you can obtain proof in the form of an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. |
| Receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or your partner is receiving this benefit | Your award notice from the Pension Centre. | If you have lost or mislaid your Pension Centre award notice, contact the Pension Centre phone line on 0845 606 0265. |
| Receiving tax credits and meeting the qualifying conditions. Or your partner receives tax credits and meets the qualifying conditions | A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate or you can use your tax credit award notice. | If you are eligible for free prescriptions, your exemption certificate will be sent to you. If you haven’t yet received your certificate, use your award notice |
| Named on a valid HC2 certificate | An NHS certificate HC2 for full help with health costs. | Make a claim using Form HC1, obtainable from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 850 1166 or 08701 555 455. You may also be able to get one from your local hospital, dentist, optician or doctor. |
| Named on a valid HC3 certificate | The cost may be reduced if you are named on an NHS certificate HC3 for partial help with health costs. |
Make a claim using Form HC1, obtainable from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 850 1166 or 08701 555 455. You may also be able to get one from your local hospital, dentist, optician or doctor. We also have HC1 Forms in stock. |
Please click here to arrange an appointment with one of our Optometrists or call us on 01245 461 843.
