Worried about getting a fine

[Oddstockings]

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.

Here are a few numbers you can phone and ask for advice. Please don't worry many people assume UC entitles free optical and also prescriptions. I work in a pharmacy and I try and ask when they say they are on UC if they are below the earnings threshold. So the opticians were definitely wrong for just assuming.
Do you have any close family with history of glaucoma as that can also give you free help?

Not your fault, they should word their questions clearly.

You should apply for a HC2 or HC3 certificate in the meantime as you should still be entitled to help with healthcare costs! If you do receive a fine you should then be able to contest and ask for the declared exemption to be transferred:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme

As I said previously we're (I'm an optician) not allowed to do this without being registered with the FCA. Have a look at my previous comment, it tells you what to say to them.

Does your husband or another family member have a credit card that they can pay for your glasses with? Or you could apply for one or a small loan or overdraft now. I have a smaller income than you and a (frightening) amount of credit on credit cards (that I've since reduced). You can set your CC up so that X amount is paid off it automatically monthly so that you don't get ADHD tax on that, and once the glasses and possibly the car bill is on there, you can reduce the credit you have available on it so that you're not tempted to spend beyond your means. You can also do things like set the pin to something you won't remember, deliberately cut up the card, or give it to H for safekeeping so that you don't use it if you are worried about impulsive spending you can't afford.

Get your husband to help you with the to dos that you have been given on here, lots of good advice. You'll be okay xxx

Hmm, I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. Asked if I was on UC but I was clear - yes but my partner earns X amount each month. They insisted I was eligible for a discount/free eye test anyway. I actually tried to insist on simply paying but they were adamant. Never got fined or ever heard anything more about it.

I was/am a carer though, I’m not sure if that made a difference in how eligible I was.

I haven’t read the full thread but you can ring UC and ask for a loan that can be paid back over a few months if you haven’t already got one - think it’s up to £800 and will automatic come out of monthly payments.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ contact the NHS business service authority

This is the department that deal with all the prescription/dental charges etc

Im absolutely certain they’ll be able to help you & avoid a fine

If optician has sent form off there is nothing they can do. Easiest solution is ring/ message universal credit and ask them what to do. That will log that you have reported a genuine mistake and they will advise whether you need to reimburse them/ NHS or the optician.
Don't worry I'm sure loads of people make that assumption- but fine could be very costly, if you own up to it now I very much doubt you would be in any trouble at all .

Hi OP
Did you end up getting a fine? same thing has happened to me today and I’m a nervous wreck now!