Full details of those entitled to National Health Service (NHS) sight tests and optical vouchers is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/

The NHS Business Services Authority also promote access to support with the cost of glasses through their Help With Health Costs Facebook page and Twitter account, in addition to a dedicated helpline.

NHS optical vouchers are available for certain eligible groups to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses, this includes individuals and their partners’ who are in receipt of Pension Credit.

The Department has undertaken a range of actions to raise awareness of Pension Credit; encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. This has included a Pension Credit media day of action in June, working with stakeholders such as the BBC, Age UK and others. We continue to use opportunities to promote Pension Credit including using proactive press activity and social media posts to reach potential recipients, their families and friends.

We also engage closely with stakeholders and have set up the Pension Credit working group, made up of a diverse range of organisations with reach and expertise, and including pensioner charities, the BBC, British Telecom, Virgin Money and the Local Government Association. The group is tasked with identifying new practical initiatives that we can work on together to help increase Pension Credit take up.

We have revised and expanded the Pension Credit guide on the GOV UK website to include clear information about the additional financial support available to people on Pension Credit, as well as detailing the extra amounts that can be included in an award for those who are severely disabled, or have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs. The key is ensuring pensioners have all the information they need to make a claim and that our messaging resonates with them and their families.

Over the coming weeks, over 11 million pensioners in Great Britain will receive information about Pension Credit in a leaflet accompanying their annual up-rating letter. This includes prominent messaging highlighting that an award of Pension Credit can also open the door to a wide range of additional benefits – not only extra help with fuel costs, but also help with rent, council tax, certain health related costs and a free over-75 TV licence.