You can get optical vouchers if you are: | The proof you need to have | Where and how to get proof |
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Aged 60 or over | Any official document showing your name and date-of-birth such as a birth certificate, NHS medical card, passport, travel concession card, driving licence, state retirement pension book. | To get a new NHS medical card you should contact your NHS Board. |
Aged 40 or over and the parent, brother, sister, or child of a person with glaucoma | An official document to prove your date-of-birth - see above. | NHS medical card - see above. |
Registered blind or partially sighted | Certificate of registration as blind or partially sighted. | Contact your local authority. |
Suffering from diabetes | Repeat prescriptions card, out-patients appointment card, record of blood sugar readings. | Your GP or your hospital diabetic or eye clinic. Your repeat prescription or outpatient card should show you are attending a diabetic clinic on a regular basis. |
Suffering from glaucoma | Statement that you are a glaucoma sufferer. | Your GP or your hospital eye clinic. |
Considered to be at risk of glaucoma | A letter from the ophthalmologist. | Your GP or your hospital eye clinic. |
You are aged under 16 | A Child Benefit order book, NHS medical card, passport, birth certificate, travel concession card, showing your name and date of birth. | If you do not have an order book, contact the Child Benefit Centre: 0845 302 1444. To get a new NHS medical card contact your NHS Board. |
You are aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education | A current Child Benefit order book, or evidence of age as above and a letter or other document from your school, college or university stating that you are a full-time student. | If you do not have an order book, contact the Child Benefit Centre: 0845 302 1444. Your school, college, university or your local education authority can give you proof that you are in qualifying full-time education (see here). |
You are, or your partner is, getting Income Support | Your Income Support order book, or an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. | You have to claim the benefit at your Jobcentre Plus office (the address will be in your in local telephone book). If payments are made into your bank or building society, you can obtain proof in the form of an entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. |
You are, or your partner is, getting income-based Jobseeker's Allowance | An entitlement letter from your Jobcentre Plus office. |
You are, or your partner is, getting Pension Credit guarantee credit | Your Pension Credit award notice from the Department of Work and Pensions, Pension Services | If you have lost or mislaid your Pension Service award notice, contact the Pension Service phone line on 0845 606 0265 |
You are, or your partner is, getting tax credits and meeting qualifying conditions | You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate. | If you are eligible for free treatment, you will be sent a certificate. See here if you haven't received a certificate yet. |
You are named on a valid HC2 certificate | An NHS certificate HC2 for full help with health costs. | Make a claim using form HC1, obtainable from your Jobcentre Plus office or by calling 0845 850 1166. You may also be able to get one from your local hospital, dentist, optician or GP. |