Children’s Spectacle Subsidy

Through Disability Support Services funding, nearly 22,000 children each year receive the spectacle subsidy.

Enable New Zealand manages this subsidy on behalf of DSS.

Eligibility guidelines

Children or young people 15 years old or younger are eligible if:

• their parent/guardian or child has a valid community services card or

• the child has a current High Use Health Card.

There are also clinical guidelines your child will need to meet. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will discuss these guidelines with you during your appointment.

If your child does not meet the guidelines, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may apply to Enable New Zealand for a review of your child’s circumstances.

How do I claim the spectacle subsidy?

1. To claim the subsidy you first need to have your child’s vision assessed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Before you book your appointment, please confirm with the organisation that they are registered to submit for subsidies.

2. If your child is eligible for the subsidy, your optometrist or ophthalmologist will submit a request on your behalf to us for the subsidy.

3. Once Enable New Zealand has received and approved your subsidy request, it will be paid directly to the optometrist or ophthalmologist.

4. Please consider the cost of the frames and glasses. You can choose to go over but anything over the subsidy amount you will need to pay yourself. The subsidy has a set limit.

How much can I get?

The total subsidy amount available each year for your child until they turn 16 is $287.50, including GST. Of the $287.50, a maximum of $138.00 (including GST) can be used toward frames. Additional funding of $51.11 including GST is available if your child requires adult-size frames.

When does it renew?

Your child’s subsidy year will start from the date that their first vision examination appointment occurred. This date will become your child’s anniversary date.

It is important to note if you do not use the full entitlement available, the remaining balance is not able to be accumulated for the following year. The spectacle subsidy cannot be claimed in advance.

What can you get with it?

The spectacle subsidy can be used for these items:

• eye examination

• spectacles (frames and lenses)

• eye patches and/or

• repairs (excludes complex vision solutions)

Complex vision needs

Increased funding could be available for children and young people with more complex vision needs.

More complex vision needs means that the examining ophthalmologist or optometrist has confirmed that the child or young person has rapidly progressing myopia and requires assessment six monthly, and possible six-monthly modification to spectacles.

Or it may mean that they have amblyopia or strabismus and require more extensive intervention.