Help With Ophthalmic Charges
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The leaflet ‘A quick guide to help with health costs’ (HCS2) tells you if you are entitled to help with the cost of glasses or lenses.
This is available from the NHS helpline or on the internet at www.gov.scot/publications/help-health-costs-quick-guide-help-health-costs. The table below is a guide to the help that may be available to you. |
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Please help us to help you
You are entitled to help with the cost of your glasses if: |
The evidence you must send is: |
Alternatives |
You are aged under 16. |
A copy of documentation with your date of birth on it, such as your NHS Medical Card, your passport, or your birth certificate . |
None |
You are aged 16-18 and in full-time education. |
Please send proof that you are a full-time student e.g. a copy of a letter from your school or college. The evidence you must send is: |
None |
If you qualify under one of the following categories |
The evidence you must send is: |
Alternatives |
You are named on an HC2 certificate under the NHS low Income Scheme. |
A Copy of an HC2 certificate which covers the date we require. |
If you cannot find your certificate you can contact the agency which issues the certificates on 0300 330 1343 to check your entitlement. |
You receive or are included in your partner's award of Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit. |
A copy of the page from your award letter showing your payment includes Guaranteed Credit, and confirmation that you are included in the award. |
If you do not have any paperwork for the date we require, provided you are the claimant, and you are sure you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you can telephone the Pension Service Helpline on 0345 6060 265 for a copy of your award letter. |
You receive or are included in your partner's award of Income Support. |
A copy of your full award letter from your JobCentre Plus showing you received Income Support on the date we require, or a copy of a letter showing that you are included in your partner's award on the date we require. |
If you do not have any paperwork for the date we require, provided you are the claimant, and you are sure you receive Income Support, you can telephone your JobCentre Plus Office or the Department for Work & Pensions and request a copy of your award letter. |
You receive or are included in your partner's award of Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. |
A copy of your full award letter from your JobCentre Plus showing you received Income based Jobseeker's Allowance on the date we require, or a copy of a letter showing that you are included in your partner's award on the date we require. |
If you do not have any paperwork for the date we require, provided you are the claimant , and you are sure you receive Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you can telephone your JobCentre Plus Office or the Department for Work & Pensions and request a copy of your award letter. |
You receive or are included in an award of Universal Credit. Current monthly income thresholds for take home pay are:
These thresholds are subject to change. Your optician can provide you with current thresholds. |
If you qualify under one of these thresholds, send a copy of your full award letter (i.e. all pages) from your JobCentre Plus showing you received Universal Credit on the date we require, or a copy of a letter (all pages) showing that you are included in your partner's award on the date we require. |
If you do not have any paperwork for the date we require, provided you are the claimant , and you are sure you receive Universal Credit, you can telephone your JobCentre Plus Office or the Department for Work & Pensions and request a copy of your award letter. |
You receive or are included in your partner's award of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. |
A copy of your full award letter from your JobCentre a showing you received Income-related Employment and Support Allowance on the date we require, or a copy of a letter showing that you are included in your partner's award on the date we require. |
If you do not have any paperwork for the date we require, provided you are the claimant, and you are sure you receive Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you can telephone your Jobcentre Plus Office or the Department for Work & Pensions and request a copy of your award letter. |
You are entitled to, or are named on a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate. |
A copy of a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate with your name on it. |
If you cannot find your exemption certificate, contact 0300 330 1347. |
You are entitled to limited help with some of the cost of your glasses if: |
The evidence you must send is: |
Alternatives |
You are named on a current HC3 certificate under the NHS Low Income Scheme |
A copy of a valid HC3 certificate with your name on it. |
If you cannot find your certificate, you can contact the agency which issues the certificates on 0300 330 1343 to check your position. |
You are not entitled to help with the cost of your glasses if: |
You or your partner only receive Pension Credit Savings Credit |
You or your partner only receive Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance |
You or your partner only receive Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. |
You or your partner only receive Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance. |