Paying for eye tests and new glasses can sometimes add up, especially when several members of your family need new lenses at the same time.
But did you know you could qualify for financial help from the NHS when it comes to buying glasses, especially if you receive Universal Credit?
As Specsavers shares: “Depending on your income, you’ll be entitled to help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you’re receiving Universal Credit.”
It adds: “NHS gives funding towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses, in the form of an NHS optical voucher, to anyone who qualifies (this funding does not apply to everyone). Some people are also eligible for NHS-funded eye tests.”
What is Universal Credit?
Do I get free glasses on Universal Credit?
You won’t get completely “free” glasses, but you might be entitled to an NHS optical voucher if you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you're under the age of 20 and the dependant of someone receiving Universal Credit and meet the criteria, explains the NHS.
When it comes to using an NHS optical voucher at Specsavers, the website says: “If you choose a pair of glasses from our £15 to £50 ranges, your NHS optical voucher will fully cover the cost so you won’t need to pay anything.
“All our glasses include standard single-vision, Standard 1.5 bifocal or Standard 1.5 varifocal lenses with a scratch-resistant treatment.”
Having regular eye tests will not just tell you if you need new glasses or a change of prescription – it’s also an important eye health check.
— NHS (@NHSuk) February 13, 2025
Read more about how to look after your eyes.
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Or, you can use your NHS optical voucher to buy glasses from another range.
Specsavers continues: “Pay a small ‘top up’, together with your NHS optical voucher to get glasses from the £70 range or above (excluding sunglasses) and we pay the rest.
Recommended reading:
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“For example, if you pay a £15 top up, you can get a £70 pair of glasses; if you pay £40 top up, you can get a £100 pair of designer glasses.”
There are various ways you can get an NHS optical voucher issued to put towards the cost of glasses including by booking an eye test at an NHS-approved optician and bringing your entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office.
Find out more by visiting the NHS website or by contacting your local opticians.
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