Worried about getting a fine

Yeah, this is incorrect.

They do check, and it’s a very simple process for them to check which they do for each submission, it’s done automatically before they pay out and so fraudulent claims are flagged pretty quickly. It’s the same with those who claim free dental treatment due to UC. Each claim is checked so it is one of the most common & easiest to get fined for.

For future reference, the bottom of the UC statement shows what you are entitled under the part saying 'other support you can get'.

Also I'd recommend Specsavers over an independent opticiAns if you want to go to am.actual place because they have glasses from about £25 for a complete pair

For cheaper glasses in the future there's a few different online opticiAns which have glasses from about £20.
If you have a look on money saving expert they are on there. They quite often have offers/discounts as well so you might be able to get 2 pairs for th price of one for example

I'd put your case in writing to the opticians and keep a copy. Write down the facts of what they said to you. Since your appointment you have discovered that...

Whats your prescription strength? I get free tests due to how bad my eyesight is.

I would also complain to the opticians as they gave you incomplete information about your elegibility and you had no prior knowlege whether you may or may not be eligible for free eye care.
They didn't just say you may be eligible, they implied that you were given that you receive a benefit.
They need to review their systems. They should allow you time to pay as it was their error, IMO.

I don’t agree

They definitely check free prescriptions

This!

It was a genuine mistake and I'm not sure that the benefit agency is that well run that it will be noticed.

You've got email proof you tried to rectify.

Forget about it.

My DP earns just slightly over the threshold meaning we can get help with prescriptions etc. but we do get universal credit.

Not sure how you know this but didn’t think to check your entitlement to free glasses.

I would actually go and and speak to the practice manager, explain what happened and what the optician told you.

The practice should be making checks as to the patient's eligibility and not just taking someone's word for it anyway. This document is goes through the process - if you look at section 6, it details what should be done by the optical practice to ascertain eligibility for a GOS (free NHS, eye examination) .
https://www.abdo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MACE-guide-2022.pdf

All the forms are now submitted electronically, so it would have been submitted, but the practice won't have been paid for it. Ask them to email the submission address and remove the form.

Say that you'll pay for the eye examination and say that you can pay for the lenses for your frame next month. If they have already sent them off, they'll send them back with your old lenses which can be put back in to you frame and then you can swap to the new ordered lenses when you can pay for them. We're not allowed to let things be paid in instalments as the practice would need to be registered with the FCA even if not charging interest.

It’s not ideal, but can you just not collect the glasses? That way you’re not benefit form the error

Doubt anything will come of this tbh.

Call them and say you've messed up here. They can put the order on hold and they may give you time to pay for the test.

Check you aren't eligible for any assistance with the eye test through your work, even though PT. If you use computer as part of job, they should have some sort of eye test voucher scheme.

My husband once mistakenly claimed a free prescription - he was on contribution-based JSA and didn't realise only income-based JSA counted for this entitlement. All that happened was he got a letter asking him to pay the prescription cost, which he did. That was some years ago, though.

Honestly I’d ring now as you 100% will get a fine and it will absolutely be more than the cost of the glasses.

This is one of the easiest ones to be fined for, as well we wrongly claiming free dental treatment, because it’s a clear route to check and each one is actually checked.

Ring them.

You either need to pay for the glasses or you need to wait until you can afford to pay for the glasses to get them. Don’t pick the glasses up or claim possession of them until you have paid. It’s not ideal but they will still prefer that.

Honestly, put your big girl pants on and get it sorted. Hardly the crime of the century.

Just ring and explain OP. U won't be able to enjoy ur new glasses till this is resolved

We all make mistakes, so try not to feel too bad. Do contact the optician and explain/apologise though.

You still have to tell them OP.
You don't want to risk a fine, because, as stated, people do get fined for this sort of thing.
Also, from now on, make sure you know what you are/are not entitled to, and know what you are signing.