Regulation 14 Payments to patients in health authority cases

(1)

A payment may be made under this regulation to a patient who–

(a)

has been issued by a health authority with a voucher only because he may be an eligible person by virtue of regulation 8(2)(d), or by virtue of his resources being treated in accordance with regulation 8(3)(e) or (f), as being less than his requirements; and

(b)

incurs cost for the supply of an optical appliance without first having obtained a notice of entitlement and without presenting his voucher to a supplier.

(2)

A patient who wishes a payment to made to him under this regulation shall–

(a)

apply to the Secretary of State for a notice of entitlement;

(b)

sign the declaration and undertaking referred to in regulation 12(4);

(c)

within the period of three months beginning with the date on which he was supplied with the optical appliance, apply to the responsible authority for a payment and provide that authority with–

(i)

the voucher issued to him,

(ii)

a statement of the amount of his patient’s contribution, if any, and

(iii)

evidence of the cost incurred for the supply of the optical appliance.

(3)

On an application made in accordance with paragraph (2), the responsible authority shall, if satisfied–

(a)

that the patient was issued with a notice of entitlement;

(b)

as to the amount of the patient’s contribution; and

(c)

as to the cost incurred for the supply of the optical appliance,

make a payment to the patient of the voucher’s redemption value.