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Original poster

Worried about getting a fine

60 replies

Oddstockings · 04/01/2024 12:20

I’m really worried I’m going to get into trouble. I went to a local family run opticians for a regular eye test and they asked me if I was in receipt of any benefits, I told them universal credit, because I am. They told me therefore there was no charge for the eye examination and I’d get a voucher towards the glasses.
So I didn’t pay anything.

Since I got home and spoke to a friend, they told me it’s only if you’re on universal credit and earning under a certain amount, which I didn’t realise. We have an income of over £1400 a month so we wouldn’t be eligible, we get about £417 of UC.

What do I do now? I’ve left the opticians and come home. He’s already filled the form in to say I was eligible for a free test and I’ve signed it. There was no form to read, they just said sign in this box. I had no idea 😢 I don’t want to get fined.

OP posts:
bumtrumpet · 04/01/2024 13:24

Just ring them! You won't be the only person who's made this mistake

Original poster
Oddstockings · 04/01/2024 13:23

I don’t have a credit card so I’ll have to ask if they’ll let me pay in instalments.
The problem is they’ve already filled in and sent the NHS free prescription / eye test form off and I’d signed it, so I’m not sure there’s much they’ll be able to do. I’m really cross with myself, they didn’t ask any additional questions, just “are you on any benefits?”

OP posts:
Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 04/01/2024 13:05

Oddstockings · 04/01/2024 12:59

The problem is I don’t think I can now afford the glasses without the voucher. They’ve already sent them off to have the lenses put in and adjusted. I have no idea what to do now, such a pickle, I feel like crying. I thought (and so did they clearly!) that if you’re on universal credit you get it free.

You still have to be honest with the optician, because you are not entitled to claim this benefit and because you my well end up getting a fine (I know of someone in a similar scenario who got a fine because they thought they were exempt from paying for their dental treatment - essentially they were entitled to a benefit which would have given them the free treatment, but hadn't been awarded that benefit yet, so couldn't technically claim the free dental treatment either).
l would ring them, explain the mix up, tell them you have realised that you will struggle to now pay for them in one go and ask if they would consider letting you pay in in smaller instalments. If they don't allow that, then can you pay on a credit card and pay them off over a longer period?

ActDottie · 04/01/2024 12:59

Jelly0naplate · 04/01/2024 12:23

Surely the sensible thing to do is ring the opticians and explain that you are in receipt of UC so said yes to the benefits question but didn't realise you were over the earnings amount for extra help and then offer to pay?

This.

Original poster
Oddstockings · 04/01/2024 12:59

The problem is I don’t think I can now afford the glasses without the voucher. They’ve already sent them off to have the lenses put in and adjusted. I have no idea what to do now, such a pickle, I feel like crying. I thought (and so did they clearly!) that if you’re on universal credit you get it free.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 04/01/2024 12:36

You won't be the only one, for years I ticked the receive tax credits box on prescriptions because I did. At no point did I realize that there was a higher earning bracket and did so in good faith I didn't intentionally set out to get them for free when I wasn't eligible.

Just ring the Opticians and explain.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 04/01/2024 12:32

Surely the sensible thing to do is Google the actual rules and assess how they apply to you rather than relying on something a random friend said. Your problem here is that you take whatever anyone tells you as gospel (first the optician then this friend) and you don't do your own research on the Gov.uk or Citizens Advice websites.

TeabySea · 04/01/2024 12:31

they asked me if I was in receipt of any benefits, I told them universal credit, because I am. They told me therefore there was no charge for the eye examination

Best to ring them and advise that you've been told UC doesn't count in this instance. They rooms you it was OK, so they need to review their own info. Be prepared to pay, in case the paperwork hasn't been submitted.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 04/01/2024 12:24

Jelly0naplate · 04/01/2024 12:23

Surely the sensible thing to do is ring the opticians and explain that you are in receipt of UC so said yes to the benefits question but didn't realise you were over the earnings amount for extra help and then offer to pay?

Yep, do exactly this - I am sure you are not the first nor the last to make a mistake.

Jelly0naplate · 04/01/2024 12:23

Surely the sensible thing to do is ring the opticians and explain that you are in receipt of UC so said yes to the benefits question but didn't realise you were over the earnings amount for extra help and then offer to pay?