Free glasses on Universal Credit, PIP or an HC2 certificate

Yes, if you meet the NHS earnings rules. You get an NHS optical voucher towards glasses, and a free eye test, if you get Universal Credit and had no earnings, or take-home pay of £435 or less, in your last assessment period. The limit is £935 if your Universal Credit includes an element for a child, or you or your partner have limited capability for work. For couples the limit is your household’s total take-home pay.

Up to £435 take-home pay in your last Universal Credit assessment period, or up to £935 if your award includes a child element or limited capability for work. It is the last completed assessment period before you need the glasses that counts.

Not on PIP alone. PIP is not one of the benefits that gives free glasses or a free eye test. You may still qualify another way: if you also get Universal Credit, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, if you have an HC2 or HC3 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme, or, for the eye test, if you are 60 or over or have diabetes or glaucoma.

Yes, if you get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. That gives you an NHS optical voucher towards glasses and a free eye test.

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, and Universal Credit if you meet the earnings rules. It also applies if your partner gets one of them, or if you are under 20 and depend on someone who does. An HC2 certificate gives the same help.

An NHS certificate for full help with health costs, from the NHS Low Income Scheme. It gives you a free NHS eye test and an NHS optical voucher towards glasses, as well as help with prescriptions and dental costs. An HC3 certificate gives partial help.

Apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme online on the NHS Business Services Authority website, or by post on an HC1 form. You can apply if your savings, investments and property (not counting your home) are £16,000 or less, or £23,250 or less if you live permanently in a care home. It takes account of your rent and council tax, so you can qualify even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit.

It gives partial help. Your certificate shows how much you have to pay towards your health costs, and the NHS helps with the rest.

Yes, the same benefits that give you a glasses voucher also give you a free NHS eye test. So does being 60 or over, having diabetes or glaucoma, or being under 16.

Your Universal Credit award notice, benefit letter, or HC2 or HC3 certificate, and your current glasses. If you are not sure whether you qualify, ask when you book and we will check with you.

Ask us when you book. If you are not sure on the day, the NHS says to pay for your glasses and claim a refund if it turns out you qualified.