Can somebody please advise if it possible in exceptional circumstances for an income support claimant to have more than one voucher per year in respect of prescription glasses.

This lady had her quota after her first cataract operation, but following a second operation her prescription has changed and she requires new lenses but cannot afford to buy them. Her consultant has told her they do not issue vouchers and does not even know what they are. Her opticians have told her she cannot get any more help to pay.

Is this true and if not, would a letter from the consultant to the opticians suffice, and what legislation would he need to quote please?

Many thanks.

CPAG handbook says 'you are entitled to a voucher if your new prescription differs from your old one' p 186.

Yes - I wasn't sure how to interpret that, as the Opticians are admanant she has had her full quota despite the change in her prescription, so I assumed it was referring to the qualifying criteria for when you first apply, as opposed to a new voucher when ever your prescription changes.