Factsheets Who is Eligible for help with the Costs of an Eye Test

Introduction

Everyone has the right to have an eye examination. No one is too disabled to have his or her eyes examined However, many adults with learning disabilities do not have regular eye examinations

In the previous fact sheets we have looked at ensuring that people receive support to attend high quality eye examinations. This factsheet offers advice about how people may receive help with the costs of eye examinations.

For more information on the previous factsheet please read After the Eye Examination

Who is eligible for free NHS sight examinations?

Everyone resident in Scotland and Wales

People qualify for help with free sight examinations and help towards the cost of glasses if they receive:

• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance (not contribution based)
• Guarantee Pension Credit or they receive:
• Child tax credit and named on a Tax credit NHS Exemption Certificate or
• Child tax credit and Working tax credit and named on a Tax credit NHS Exemption Certificate or
• Child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element and
• Their income for tax credit purposes is £25,050 per year or less (Note: the Tax Credits award letter will say if the person is entitled to help with health costs)

People automatically qualify for a free NHS sight examination if:

• they are over 60 years old
• they are under 16, or under 19 and still in full-time education
• they are registered as blind/severely sight impaired or partially sighted/sight impaired; or
• they have been diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma; or
• they are considered at risk of glaucoma by an ophthalmologist; or
• they are aged over 40 and are the parent, brother, sister or child of someone who has been diagnosed as having glaucoma; or
• they need powerful or complex lenses - they will be told if this is the case; or
• they are a patient of the Hospital Eye Service

People who do not automatically qualify for help with NHS costs may be able to get full or partial help under the Low Income Scheme To get help the person (and their partner, if applicable) must not have more than £8,000 savings if under the age of 60, or more than £12,000 if aged 60 or over.

For people who do not automatically qualify, applications for a free NHS sight examination should be made on form HC1, which is available from optometrists, chemists, dentists or the Department of Social Security If help is needed to complete the form, you should contact the Health Benefits Division on 0845 850 11 66, or to request the form HC1 contact the Health Literature Line on 0870 55455

If the person is entitled to full help with NHS costs, they will receive a HC2 certificate If they get partial help, they will get a HC3 certificate These need to be presented when paying for an item or service.

Further information on help with the cost of NHS sight examinations and the cost of glasses or contact lenses is available from RNIBWelfare Rights Services, 0845 766 9999

June 2009

Preparing for an Eye Examination

The Eye Examination Explained

After the Eye Examination

Who is Eligible for Help with the Costs of an Eye Examination?

Watch the You and Eye Film

Related Information:

Eye Surgery for people with Learning Disabilities

Eye Poking and Touching in People with Learning Disabilities

Eye Poking and Touching - Strategies for Supporting People

Glasses for people with Learning Disabilities Part 1

Glasses for people with Learning Disabilities Part 2

Recognising Eye Problems in People with Learning Disabilities 1

Recognising Eye Problems in People with Learning Disabilities 2 

Taking Action on Eye Problems

Telling the Optometrist about me form 

Feedback from the Optometrist about my test form