NHS optical voucher: who gets one and what can you use it for?
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An NHS optical voucher is money from the NHS towards the cost of your glasses. If you qualify, your optometrist gives it to you after your eye test, and you can use it at the optician of your choice. At Direct Vision you can choose a pair from our NHS voucher range at no cost, or put the voucher towards any of our complete pairs and pay only the difference.
Who gets an NHS optical voucher?
In England you can get a voucher if you:
- Are under 16, or 16 to 18 and in full-time education
- Get Universal Credit and meet the earnings criteria
- Get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
- Have a valid HC2 certificate (full help) or HC3 certificate (partial help) from the NHS Low Income Scheme
- Need complex lenses
Being 60 or over gets you a free NHS eye test, but not a voucher on its own. Attendance Allowance, PIP and DLA don't qualify you either, though you may qualify through another benefit. We explain this in free glasses on Attendance Allowance or PIP.
How much is a voucher worth?
The NHS sets the voucher values each year. The amount depends on the strength and type of your prescription: a simple single vision prescription gets the lowest value, and stronger prescriptions, bifocals and varifocals get more. If you have an HC3 certificate, the value is reduced depending on your circumstances.
What can I use it for?
- Glasses: single vision, bifocal or varifocal
- Upgrades: put the voucher towards a more expensive frame or extras such as anti-glare or thinner lenses, and pay the difference
Children can also get vouchers to repair or replace glasses that are lost or broken, so it's worth asking if that happens.
How it works at Direct Vision
- Book your NHS eye test at Great Barr or Sheldon and bring proof of your entitlement, such as a benefit letter or HC2 certificate.
- If you need glasses, your optometrist issues the voucher at the end of your test.
- Choose your glasses. Pick from our NHS voucher range at no cost, or choose from our Essentials (£59), Simply Stylish (£99) or Elevated (£149) ranges and the voucher comes off the price.
For children, free NHS glasses come from our children's range, with upgrades from £29. See kids' and teens' glasses.
Not sure if you qualify?
Read our NHS eligibility guide and our page on free eye tests on Universal Credit and benefits, or just bring your paperwork and we'll check for you. Book online, or call Great Barr on 0121 325 0665 or Sheldon on 0121 742 9599.
