VAT relief

VAT Exemption for disabled people

This short guide aims to help you understand who is and who isn’t eligible to claim VAT relief on the goods available here on our website.

Who is eligible for VAT relief?

To be eligible for VAT relief the government says you – or the person you are buying the goods for – must be a ‘chronically sick or disabled person’. For VAT purposes, you are eligible if

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities
you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, such as severe sight impairment
you’re terminally ill

You DO NOT qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled, for example with a broken leg.

Which products are eligible?

VAT Exemption applies to items which have been designed to be used by someone who has a disability or long-term illness – so braille paper and low vision aids are exempt, but spectacles and contact lenses aren’t. Most of the aids for putting in eye drops prescribed for your glaucoma or ocular hypertension are eligible, and so are the cool wallets needed to keep some type of eye drop medication cool in warm weather. Eligible products are marked “available VAT exempt” and include

Cool wallets, Opticare eye drop dispenser, Opticare arthro dispenser 5, Opticare arthro dispenser 10, Auto drop, Auto Squeeze

How do I claim VAT relief?

If you are eligible for VAT relief and you’re buying an eligible product, just tick the box at the checkout. You don’t need to show proof of your disability to anyone at any stage.
We’ll keep this information completely confidential, but it may be made securely available to HMRC should they request it.

For more help and information on VAT relief for disabled people see the government’s website https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vat-relief