Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Dental/glasses, NHS exemption & fines! (self.Blind)
submitted by Virtual-Scratch3633
So, but of back ground, I am claiming tax credits, always been entitled to exemption as low income, it ran out in Oct.
I went for treatment in December, stupidly believed it as being exempted. Because I cant see, the lady did it on my behalf by the counter.
Arrived home today, a lovely fine! I'm not exempt anymore. At a loose end, dont know what to do. My in- come is the same, nothing has changed, but hey ho, I can't afford the fine (didn't even get to sit in the dental chair! As I was suffering with a cold) he refused to see me.
Any help with that is great, but my main question is, do I now have to pay for glasses/eye tests? I'm registered partially sighted.
I went for treatment in December, stupidly believed it as being exempted. Because I cant see, the lady did it on my behalf by the counter.
Arrived home today, a lovely fine! I'm not exempt anymore. At a loose end, dont know what to do. My in- come is the same, nothing has changed, but hey ho, I can't afford the fine (didn't even get to sit in the dental chair! As I was suffering with a cold) he refused to see me.
Any help with that is great, but my main question is, do I now have to pay for glasses/eye tests? I'm registered partially sighted.
vwlsmssng 3 points 1y ago
> do I now have to pay for glasses/eye tests? I'm registered partially sighted.
Answers are here https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
And here $1
Specifically for you
> You're entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
> - are registered as partially sighted or blind
> - (Other reasons possibly not relevant to you left out)
and as for the costs of glasses
> You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you:
> - are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher
> - (again many other reasons left out but they may be relevant)
Partially sighted in itself doesn't get you a voucher. As you are partially sighted a complex lens voucher (£14.90) may or may not apply to you depending on your sight test results. The rules read to me as if you are eligible for a complex lens voucher you are eligible for an additional optical voucher for glasses but I have never been offered the latter despite being eligible for the former.
I'm finding the rules on optical vouchers (for glasses) are quite confusing so I suggest you contact the $1 for advice. Please let us know what you find out if they help you.
> RNIB Helpline: Call us on 0303 123 9999
> We're open 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
As for the problem with dental fees you might get some help from the $1
Answers are here https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
And here $1
Specifically for you
> You're entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
> - are registered as partially sighted or blind
> - (Other reasons possibly not relevant to you left out)
and as for the costs of glasses
> You're entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you:
> - are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher
> - (again many other reasons left out but they may be relevant)
Partially sighted in itself doesn't get you a voucher. As you are partially sighted a complex lens voucher (£14.90) may or may not apply to you depending on your sight test results. The rules read to me as if you are eligible for a complex lens voucher you are eligible for an additional optical voucher for glasses but I have never been offered the latter despite being eligible for the former.
I'm finding the rules on optical vouchers (for glasses) are quite confusing so I suggest you contact the $1 for advice. Please let us know what you find out if they help you.
> RNIB Helpline: Call us on 0303 123 9999
> We're open 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
As for the problem with dental fees you might get some help from the $1
Virtual-Scratch3633 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you, I plan to fight the dental issue anyway, he refused to see me, so what service am I expected to pay for?
As for the eyes, that is disgraceful. My prescription is changing rapidly, I have ushers so it is progressive.
I will contact rnib, surely if your registered, there should be some assistance out there.
I know if I quit my job, I'll get everything paid for me, that's the bit I disagree with entirely. I'm trying to earn a living yet punished for the privilege.
As for the eyes, that is disgraceful. My prescription is changing rapidly, I have ushers so it is progressive.
I will contact rnib, surely if your registered, there should be some assistance out there.
I know if I quit my job, I'll get everything paid for me, that's the bit I disagree with entirely. I'm trying to earn a living yet punished for the privilege.
retrolental_morose 1 points 1y ago
If you are registered as blind or partially sighted Free eye examinations are available in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. $1
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
You got fined? They've probably put down something like you turned up but didn't take the treatment; I don't know. Is it on the paper? I'd call them up and see what they say and if they say you must pay it let them know that it's stupid and you'll be waiting for their cort letter because you didn't sit in the chair to get seen to.
Virtual-Scratch3633 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Well the main issue that I've found out today, the original filling I had in, is under warranty for 12 months, so should have come under the same treatment plan. It was put in may 2021, so shouldn't have been put through as anything as its the same tooth in question.
Well this is it, the paper I have is just a generic letter from the NHS, the cost of the "treatment" and a standard fine. And the other paper is in small print, as someone who is blind, I can't read it! It doesn't come in large print :/
When I rang the NHS business (the fine guys!) They said that all of this is nothing to do with them, they are following orders and I should contest it with my dentist... Oh you mean the same guy that did this in the first place? He isn't going to just admit to fraud, is he now?
Well this is it, the paper I have is just a generic letter from the NHS, the cost of the "treatment" and a standard fine. And the other paper is in small print, as someone who is blind, I can't read it! It doesn't come in large print :/
When I rang the NHS business (the fine guys!) They said that all of this is nothing to do with them, they are following orders and I should contest it with my dentist... Oh you mean the same guy that did this in the first place? He isn't going to just admit to fraud, is he now?
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
Wow. Perhaps you could go there and speak to them face to face and if they say you have to pay it explain that you don't need to because of the warranty, by the way; I didn't know you could do that
If you do end up paying it and all that; perhaps it's time you look for a diffirent dentist.
If you do end up paying it and all that; perhaps it's time you look for a diffirent dentist.
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