Making specs applications
Making Claims
Use the Enable New Zealand Spectacles App to make these claims.
Standard Spectacle Subsidy
Children eligible for the standard spectacle subsidy scheme covered under five areas of the Spectacle Subsidy, up to the value of $287.50 (incl GST) per year:
Funding can cover:
Eye examinations
Frames: a maximum of $138.00 (incl GST) is available per year
Lenses
Eye patches
Repairs
An extra $51.11 (incl GST) is available towards frames for children that require adult sized frames. A clear rationale is required for these requests.
High-Level Spectacle Subsidy
A High-Level Subsidy is available for children with more complex vision needs provided the child
has:
amblyopia or strabismus that requires more extensive intervention, or
a rapidly progressing myopia that requires six monthly eye examinations and may result
in six monthly changes to the spectacle prescription.
Anything outside of these guidelines will need to be submitted under a Genuine and Exceptional Circumstances application.
Genuine and Exceptional Circumstances
Any application that does not meet the guidelines set out by the Ministry’s Children’s spectacle subsidy manual and are high in cost (including frames over $250) needs to be submitted as a Genuine and Exceptional Circumstances application.
This can be done by ticking the ‘Genuine and Exceptional Circumstances’ box after you have selected the subsidy type when filling out an application through the Enable New Zealand spectacles app.
Assessor accounts
If you make claims on behalf of an optometrist or ophthalmologist you will need to create an 'on-behalf’ user account.
How to apply for an “on-behalf” user account
Cancellations
You can not cancel an application. Once the application is processed, the subsidy amount is allocated automatically. However, you can request a credit.
How to request a credit to be made